Granulated Sugar
Unlock Guide Prices
Market Estimates (UK)
Tesco £0.00 / ---
--- / ---
Sainsbury's £0.00 / ---
--- / ---
Asda £0.00 / ---
--- / ---
Morrisons £0.00 / ---
--- / ---
Waitrose £0.00 / ---
--- / ---
Updated: 03 Oct 2026
Sugars

Granulated Sugar

Taste Profile Pure Sweetness, Clean, Neutral, Crystalline crunch, no secondary flavours

The fuel of the pastry section. Whether derived from tropical Sugar Cane or temperate Sugar Beets, white granulated sugar is 99.9% pure sucrose. It is highly refined to remove all molasses and minerals, leaving behind a stark white crystal that offers sweetness without flavour interference. While often demonised in diet culture, in the chemistry of cooking, it is structural. It is not just a sweetener; it is a tenderiser, a moisturiser, a preservative, and a browning agent.

Culinary Notes

The "Creaming" Method: Sugar crystals are jagged. When you beat them with butter ("creaming"), they act like tiny saws, cutting millions of microscopic air pockets into the fat. This aeration is what makes cakes rise and become fluffy. Liquid sweeteners (like honey or maple syrup) cannot do this.

Hygroscopy (Moisture Keeper): Sugar is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and holds water. This is why a cake made with sugar stays moist for days, while a sugar-free cake dries out overnight. It locks moisture into the crumb.

Caramelisation: When heated to approx. 160°C (320°F), sugar decomposes and turns brown, creating hundreds of new flavour compounds (nutty, buttery, bitter). This is the secret to the crust of a Crème Brûlée or the colour of a good sear on marinated meat.

Caster vs. Granulated: "Caster" sugar is simply granulated sugar ground finer.

Granulated: Best for tea, coffee, and sprinkling (crunch).

Caster: Best for baking (dissolves faster in batters).

Health & Folklore

Instant Energy: The most rapidly available source of glucose for the brain and muscles during intense exertion.

Note: It provides "empty calories" with zero micronutrients (vitamins/minerals).

Dental Warning: The primary driver of tooth decay.

Cook & Keeper Ingredient Tools

Understand how our engine helps you source, price, and purchase ingredients at their absolute peak.

Live Seasonality
Our dynamic chart tracks crop cycles. The "Today" indicator shows whether an ingredient is currently at peak freshness, ideal for harvesting, or ready to be preserved.
Price Analysis (Keepers)
The system scans local supermarkets and calculates the base price (per 100g/ml), ensuring Keepers always see the truest, most cost-effective value.
Smart List Conversion
Click the shopping bag icon and select your measurement (cups, spoons, pieces). Our engine automatically converts everything into precise metric weights on your list.
Make it from scratch
If you see a "Make it from scratch" badge, it means we advise against buying commercial versions. Instead, prepare the ingredient yourself using our tested formula.

Ingredient Queries

Why are some prices blurred out?
Live supermarket price tracking and value calculation is a complex utility reserved exclusively for The Keeper's Table subscribers.
What if I can't find this ingredient locally?
Check the "Worthy Substitutes" section above. We provide rigorously tested alternatives to ensure your dish maintains its authentic taste profile.
How do custom labels work?
When you click "Add", you can specify what you need the ingredient for (e.g., "For Sunday Roast"). The shopping list engine will remember this note for your convenience.

Keepers Only

This feature is reserved for The Keeper's Table subscribers. Join us to unlock live supermarket pricing, unlimited shopping lists, and the custom print suite.

Unlock The Keeper's Table

Success!

Ingredient added to your shopping list.

View Shopping List Continue Reading

Get Recipe Drops

We are currently testing timings and perfecting new recipes. Join our mailing list to get notified when new dishes and pantry guides are added to the archive.