Why is brown sugar red? Should brown sugar be refrigerated or frozen?

Brown sugar is made from sugarcane through the process of extracting juice, clarifying, boiling and refining using the lime process. In addition to the functions of sugar, it also contains vitamins and trace elements, such as iron, zinc, manganese, chromium, etc., and its nutritional content is much higher than that of white sugar. Why is brown sugar red? The following article will reveal the secret for you!

Contents of this article

1. Why is brown sugar red?

2. Should brown sugar be refrigerated or frozen?

3. Does brown sugar have a shelf life? How many years is the shelf life?

Why is brown sugar red?

Brown sugar is red because it turns red due to oxidation. Its main raw material is sugarcane juice, and the amino acids in the sugarcane juice will oxidize into colored substances. During the cooking process, brown sugar should be cooked over low heat and stirred constantly to ensure that the water in it is completely evaporated. In addition, it should be stored in a moist and dry environment to prevent it from melting due to moisture.

1. Oxidation turns red

Brown sugar is red because it turns red due to oxidation. Brown sugar is made from sugarcane juice, which contains a lot of sugar and amino acids, and will undergo the Maillard reaction. After coming into contact with oxygen in the air, it will gradually oxidize and become colored substances.

2. Cooking method

When making brown sugar, the juice in the sugarcane needs to be squeezed out, and then the bacteria, soil and other substances in the juice are removed. Then it is cooked over low heat for 5 to 6 hours, and it is constantly stirred during the cooking process to ensure that the water in it is completely evaporated.

3. Save the environment

Brown sugar is prone to mold in a humid environment, so it should be kept in a dry and cool environment when stored, or the brown sugar should be sealed and stored in the refrigerator. It can be left to melt in a low temperature environment, thereby extending the storage time.

Brown sugar refrigerator or freezer

Brown sugar is best stored in the refrigerator, but it should be noted that brown sugar must be sealed before being placed in the refrigerator and cannot get wet, otherwise it will easily melt due to moisture. Brown sugar can generally be stored in the refrigerator for about 12 months. It can also be sealed in a glass jar and stored in a cool and ventilated place.

Brown sugar absorbs moisture from the air. Because it contains iron, it will oxidize and darken in color after being exposed to air for a long time. It will soften or even melt when the temperature is high. Therefore, it must be stored in a sealed container.

It is best to consume brown sugar as soon as possible after opening the package. Brown sugar is a mixture that contains more sugar and less water, so it is easier for bacteria to grow. It is best to use it up within 30 days after opening the package.

Brown sugar lumps are usually caused by drying and water loss. So if it lumps, you can put it in a place with high humidity, cover it with a wet cloth or put an apple in the sugar jar, and the sugar will automatically disperse.

Does brown sugar have a shelf life? How many years is the shelf life?

Brown sugar has a shelf life, but according to national regulations, solid sugar can be exempted from shelf life. If stored properly, brown sugar can be stored for two to three years. Brown sugar refers to the finished sugar with honey from sugarcane. The sugarcane is squeezed and concentrated to form honey. Brown sugar is divided into tablet sugar, brown sugar powder, bowl sugar, etc. according to the different crystal particles.

Because brown sugar has not been highly refined, it contains almost all the ingredients in cane juice. In addition to the function of sugar, it also contains vitamins and trace elements, such as iron, zinc, manganese, chromium, etc. The nutritional content is much higher than that of white sugar.

Brown sugar is a raw material made from sugarcane through a process of juice extraction, clarification, and refining using the lime method.

The specific origin time of brown sugar in my country can be traced back to a certain period between the Three Kingdoms, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty. At least before the Later Wei Dynasty, it was not widely consumed in its early stage and was mainly used as medicine.