What Sets Candy Sugars Apart as Clean Label Choice?

Selecting the most suitable type of sugar for each application is crucial for brands and food and beverage companies to achieve the desired results. From standard white sugar in granulated or liquid form to specialty sugars, there are numerous options to consider for various uses. Candy sugars, including candy powders and syrups, are particularly unique and historic types of sugar.

Candy sugar is a special kind of sweetener made from sugar syrup that has undergone a caramelization process. This process gives candy sugar its distinctive flavour and colour.

The history of candy sugar dates back to the 16th century in Belgium, where Antwerp was a major port for sugar entering Europe. After months at sea, the imported sugar needed purification. It was heated, dissolved, and then allowed to cool slowly to return to its dry form. This process led to the discovery of a sugar that not only regained its purity but also had enhanced flavour and texture: candy sugar. Today, the production process remains largely the same, though it has been optimized to ensure food safety.

Applications in Baking and Confectionery

Our candy sugar range is versatile and can be used in a wide variety of culinary applications. Its distinctive caramel flavour and the fact that the sugars are ‘clean label’ make them particularly valuable in the following applications:

Pastries and Desserts: The candy sugar range can enhance the flavour of cakes, cookies, and other baked goods, imparting a rich, caramel note that complements other ingredients. Its crystalline structure can also add a pleasant crunch to toppings and fillings.

Confectionery: In candy making, these sugars help achieve the desired texture, colour, and flavour in products such as toffees, brittles, and caramels.

Beer Brewing: Candy sugars can be used in beer brewing, adding a unique taste and colour that enhances the overall flavour profile without being overpowering. They are especially popular in specialty beers.

Sauces and Glazes: The distinctive caramel flavour of candy sugars makes them an excellent choice for sauces and glazes, adding depth and complexity to both sweet and savoury dishes.

Insights from a Pastry Chef

To gain deeper insights into the unique qualities of our Candy Sugar range, renowned pastry chef François Galtier (World Pastry Cup Bronze winner), who has extensive experience working with these specialty sugars, shares his thoughts:

“The most important aspect for me in pastry is the taste. With Südzucker’s Candy Sugar range, I can add the right level of sweetness to my recipes while also bringing a specific character to the taste.”

“It’s not just a flat taste of sugar; it’s a complex flavour that pairs well with the overall taste of the cake or dessert, with notes of caramel, spices, and a lot of roundness, similar to vanilla. I compare using candy sugar in pastry to using salt and pepper with meat – without salt and pepper, meat can taste ‘flat’. Similarly, candy sugar acts like a seasoning in desserts to enhance the flavors.”

“We can try adding various ingredients to regular sugar to achieve this specific character, but it will never match candy sugar in terms of taste and colour. The candy step is essential!”

Galtier also emphasizes the consistency that candy sugars offer. “In my experience, candy sugars provide a well-balanced sweetness, which is crucial in recipes. The fact that this specific taste and colour come from an authentic and respectful process is ‘the cherry on the cake’ for me, especially in today’s market where consumers are increasingly looking for minimally processed ingredients.”

Galtier’s testimony highlights the importance of candy sugars in the culinary world, particularly for professionals who demand both consistency and quality in their ingredients.

The Journey from Beet Sugar to Candy Sugar

The transformation of beet sugar into our candy sugar range involves a detailed process.

Südzucker’s Candy Sugar: The candy sugars are created by slowly crystallizing highly concentrated beet sugar syrup in containers, resulting in beautiful brown or white crystals. The next step involves harvesting and sorting the crystals into different sizes.

Südzucker’s Candy Powder: The remaining syrup after harvesting is sent to a boiler. This step gives the candy powder its typical texture and aroma, thanks to the controlled heating process and the team’s expertise. The crystals and syrup are then separated by centrifuge, forming candy powders available in pale or dark brown variants.

Südzucker’s Candy Syrup: The remaining syrup after centrifugation is available in two variants – mild or strong.

The Clean Label Advantage

The clean label trend is gaining momentum as consumers become more health-conscious and scrutinize food ingredients. Clean label products contain only a few ingredients and are free from colouring, flavouring, or other additives and preservatives. Our Candy Sugar range aligns perfectly with this trend, offering brown sugars with sugar as the sole ingredient.

Sugar as Ingredient: Candy sugars are made from beet sugar syrup that undergoes a caramelization process, ensuring the final product is free from added flavours, colours, or preservatives, leading to authenticity and a round mouthfeel.

Transparency: The production process of candy sugars is straightforward and transparent, providing consumers with confidence in the product’s quality.

In summary, candy sugars stand out among sweeteners due to their unique production process, which imparts a distinctive caramel flavour and colour. Their versatility in various culinary applications and compatibility with clean label trends make them valuable for professional chefs across a range of specialties. Using candy sugars allows for a rich, caramelized sweetness that enhances the overall taste experience without the need for additives or artificial flavours.

Embracing the Unique Qualities of Candy Sugars

For professional chefs like François Galtier, candy sugars offer a versatile and high-quality option. Their ability to enhance the natural flavours of other ingredients while adding subtle caramel notes makes them a valuable addition to any pantry. By understanding and utilizing candy sugars, you can elevate your culinary creations and meet the expectations of today’s discerning consumers.