A teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories.
No. Sugar is pure sucrose. It contains no preservatives or additives of any kind.
No, sugar is not chemically altered or bleached during processing. The sugar in your sugar bowl is the same as the sucrose naturally present in the original sugar beet and sugar cane plants, and is also identical to the sucrose in other fruits and vegetables. Pure sugar crystals are naturally colorless. No artificial bleaching or whitening is necessary. Molasses, which is naturally present in sugar beet and sugar cane and gives brown sugar its color, is removed from the sugar crystal with water and centrifuging. Carbon filters absorb any remaining colored plant materials.
All sugar products in the marketplace differ only in crystal size or molasses content. Molasses adds both color and flavor. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it has.
Brown sugar hardens when its moisture evaporates. Storing brown sugar in a way that allows the product to retain its natural moisture-in its original plastic bag (closed tightly) or in an airtight container-helps brown sugar stay moist. If brown sugar hardens, let it stand overnight in a sealed jar with a damp paper towel or apple slice. For a quick fix, heat the needed amount in a 250º F oven for a few minutes, or in a microwave oven on low for 1-2 minutes per cup. The softened brown sugar should be used immediately.
Sugar hardens when it is exposed to moisture, like high humidity, and then the surface dries. Break the hardened sugar into manageable pieces with a meat tenderizer or heavy mixing spoon. Toss the pieces into a food processor or blender, and blend until smooth. It’s best to keep your sugar in a sealed container.