Raw sugar is light brown in color because it contains molasses.
Raw sugar, also called turbinado sugar, is unrefined sucrose, or table sugar. Like brown sugar, raw sugar has a light coating of molasses, so it is darker than refined table sugar. Many different types of sugars and other sweeteners can be used instead of raw sugar, but sugars labeled "turbinado" are most similar to raw. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Types
Raw sugar liquid is extracted from the crushed stems of sugar cane plants and sometimes from the roots of sugar beets. The liquid is later concentrated to form raw sugar crystals. Turbinado sugar, which is really just another name for raw sugar, is the best substitute for raw sugar.
Substitutions
Almost any type of sweetener can be substituted for raw sugar in a recipe, but in many cases, the amount will have to be adjusted. White, light brown and turbinado sugars can all be substituted cup for cup for raw sugar.
Identification
Raw sugar is pale brown. It is usually not quite as dark as light brown sugar, but the two can be used interchangeably.
Misconceptions
The fact that raw sugar is unrefined does not mean that it is unprocessed or natural in a way that is necessarily better for you than refined sugar. It simply means that naturally occurring molasses has not been removed before processing and granulation. Any sugar used in place of raw sugar will have a similar nutrition profile.
Fun Fact
Raw sugar crystals are light brown because they have a natural coating of molasses. This coating is removed to make refined, pure white (granulated) sugar crystals. Commercially processed brown sugar is actually refined white sugar crystals that have been sprayed with molasses.
Tags: light brown, sugar crystals, brown sugar, coating molasses, substituted sugar