Alternative Uses For Sugar You May Not Know
Sugar has received a lot of negative attention in recent years. However, we may sometimes forget that sugar can do much more than just sweeten our food and drink. This article discusses some uses of sugar that may surprise you.
What kind of sugars are there?
You may already be guessing that fine sugar is the sugar most often sold. Fine sugar, as its name implies, is ground into fine, small, and white crystals used with tea and coffee, in baking, and so on. However, there are other types of sugars:
- Table sugar, fine sugar or “regular” sugar: As we have already said, this sugar is the most common and most used and is known to all. The crystal is small to medium in size.
- Extra Fine Sugar: This sugar is not known in many countries, while in other countries there are several sweet desserts where extra fine sugar is one ingredient. Its crystal is very small.
- Powdered sugar: Like “regular sugar,” but it has been ground for so long that it turns into fine powder. It is used, for example, to decorate cakes and sweet desserts.
- Granulated sugar: Rounder and larger in crystals than regular sugar. It is popular in northern and central European countries. Granulated sugar is used, for example, in German and Scandinavian bakeries and, for example, in Belgian waffles.
- Crystal sugar: Larger in crystals than regular sugar sold in shops. It is more often used for decoration or other aesthetic purposes, as well as for sweetening tea and coffee. Crystal sugar crystals are most often different squares and are used as a small pinch. It does not melt as easily as smaller crystalline sugars.
- Liquid sugar: Many people think that liquid sugar does not belong to the same category as other sugars, but it has earned its name nonetheless. It is not made exclusively from sucrose, but is mixed with other sugars such as syrup. It is made by heating and is used in the industrial manufacture of confectionery and desserts because it keeps the pieces softer for longer.
“Like a pharmacist without sugar”
This is an old saying that originated from the use of sugar by pharmacists to cure various ailments and diseases. Many uses for sugar emerged after they discovered and understood the benefits of sugar. Some people say that sugar was used to treat respiratory problems and that it was also excellent in treating injuries. Almost everyone believed that sugar has medicinal properties and healing abilities.
If you mix sugar with plenty of water, syrups are created that can be added to other herbs. These treat the flu, runny nose, and so on, especially if you mix it with a strong alcohol such as pontika, which is also used to reduce fever.
Pharmacists always had sugar at their fingertips. These people also usually worked in their homes, so they were always able to resort to their wife’s sugar storage to get a little of this sweetener.
Alternative uses of sugar that may surprise you
Soothing babies
If your child is experiencing pain during the first months of his life, for example during vaccinations, you can give your child a little mixture of one-fifth sugar and four-fifths water, even before vaccination.
Injury care
As we said earlier, sugar is used to kill bacteria that cause pain when injured or wounded. All you have to do is rub a little sugar on top of the injury, and then let it work.
Soothing burnt tongue
If you smoke your tongue while drinking hot coffee, eating soup, or even trying some sauce, suck a piece of sugar or put a few sugar crystals on your tongue.
Reducing the heat of food
If you make a spice mix or sauce and it became too hot, add a teaspoon of sugar. Sugar can also be used when the hot tomato sauce is too sour.
Exfoliation of the skin
By mixing sugar with olive or almond oil, you can make an exfoliator that removes dead cells from your entire body skin.
Lipstick retention
One of the common problems for women is that lipstick does not stay on the lips for as long as they would like. Lipstick disappears easily when you drink, smoke, lick your lips, or greet someone with a cheek kiss. Lipstick stays longer when you rub a little sugar on your lips after putting on lipstick. Let it work for a few minutes and then lick it off completely.
Cleaning dirty hands
This is great for men who work with greases and oils (like mechanics) or after painting. Add a little sugar and then wash your hands normally with soap so that the mixture foams.
Improving the appearance of the garden
Mix three tablespoons of sugar, two tablespoons of vinegar and a tablespoon of warm water. Spread it on the ground around the plants. Sugar nourishes the stems of plants and vinegar prevents the development of bacteria.
Cleaning the coffee machine
Pour half a deciliter of sugar into the coffee maker and let it cook for three minutes just as if you were making coffee. Clean with plenty of water.
Removing grease stains
If grease stains get on your favorite clothes, tablecloth or curtains , you can make a paste out of sugar and water and apply it directly to the stain. Leave on for at least an hour and then wash normally.
Keep cookies or desserts fresh
Put cookies or desserts in a closed container. Put a few pieces of sugar in it to keep them longer. You can do the same with grated cheese so it doesn’t harden.
So there are many uses for sugar. Have these alternative uses of sugar surprised you?
Image rights: Uve Hermann, David Eccles, Betsy Weber, Jody Mcintyre, goodmami, Javcon 117 and Joel Kramer.
