As part of my "Sweetener Review Series," I write about one of the most widely available granulated sugar brands in the United States. You can hardly miss C&H Sugar as it has a highly recognizable look — a bright pink packaging with the official Hawaiian flower, the hibiscus, as its symbol. C&H is well-known on the West Coast, where it has been sold for more than 100 years.
C&H stands for California and Hawaiian Sugar Company because their refinery was built in California in 1906 to be devoted entirely to refining Hawaiian cane sugar. The state of Hawaii used to have sugar cane planted in four of their islands, but in 2016 their last cane plantation was closed.
C&H Sugar has a sister brand – Domino Sugar – that sells essentially the same cane sugar products. Both brands are available all over the country, but C&H is sold predominantly on the West Coast and Domino on the East Coast markets.
Brand: C&H
Ingredient: Cane Sugar
Product of: Refined in the USA from imported raw sugar
Type of sugar: A refined sugar with crystal sizes from about 0.3 to 0.55mm.
Learn more on a previous post titled Guide to Granulated Sugar: The Favorite and Most Versatile Sweetener of All.
What Sugar Is It?
Refined white cane sugar
99.95% sucrose
Where and Who Makes C&H Sugar?
C&H sugars are refined in the U.S. from imported raw sugar. It is produced at the C&H Sugar Company Refinery located in Crockett, California. Learn how refined sugar is made by reading a previous post: 20+ Types of Refined Sugar in Stores [2020].
C&H BRAND OWNER: C&H Sugar products have been produced since 1906 and changed hands many times, but, since 2005, it has been owned by American Sugar Refining (ASR Group). ASR is formed by a partnership between two cane sugar producers from Florida — Florida Crystals Corp. and Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, each holding 64% and 36% of ASR.
ASR is one of the largest producers of refined sugar in the U.S. and claims to be the world’s largest cane sugar refiner. It owns and operates Sugar Mills in the U.S. (all three in Florida), Mexico, and Belize (Belize has 6,000 fair trade-certified cane growers). It also owns and operates eleven Sugar Refineries in six countries: in the U.S. (Florida, California, Louisiana, New York, Maryland), Canada, Mexico, England, Italy, and Portugal. Some of their famous brands include Domino, Florida Crystals, Tate & Lyle Sugars, Lyle’s cane syrups.
C&H BRAND DISTRIBUTOR: Domino Foods Inc is the marketing arm of ASR, being one of the largest marketers of refined sugar in the United States. It sells and distributes not only the C&H Sugar brand but also Domino, Florida Crystals, Tate & Lyle, and Lyle’s brands.
Certifications & Special Diets
C&H sugar is non-GMO Project Verified. It is kosher certified [all granulated sugars are kosher]. C&H Sugar is not vegan as C&H Sugar Refinery uses bone char — animal-derived natural charcoal — to remove color and impurities from sugar syrups.
Applications
C&H sugar is an all-purpose sugar that is ideal for table use, baking, preserving, canning, and sweetening beverages.
Storage
Any sugar, properly stored, which means tightly closed in a dry place, has an indefinite shelf life as it does not support microbial growth. If it ever clumps, use a sugar softener as I describe here.
Measuring & Counting Calories
When measuring sugar, you might wonder: What is one serving of sugar? How many grams of sugar are in one serving? How many calories are in a spoonful of sugar? How many cups in a pound of sugar? How many pounds of sugar in a bag? Find the answers below.
For those of us that like to measure volume, I list some reference amounts obtained via the dip and sweep method — using proper measuring tools, not utensils. Just dip your measuring tool into the sugar package or bin, and sweep the excess with a knife. (Note: teaspoon = tsp; tablespoon = Tbsp)
Granulated Sugar Substitutions
Can brown sugar be substituted for granulated sugar in recipes? Yes, an equal substitution of brown sugar for granulated sugar can be done. It mostly depends on your taste. Using brown sugar will add a slight molasses flavor to whatever it is you're making.
Can confectioners' sugar be substituted for white sugar? In short, no. Confectioners' sugar has a finer crystal size and contains 3% cornstarch that keeps the sugar soft. Substitutions may result in unsatisfactory results.
Can syrups, such as honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup, be substituted for granulated sugar? Yes, but keep in mind the following. (1) Caloric sweeteners are a blend of sugar and water. Granulated sugar contains only 0.03% water and syrups from 20 to 35%. It means you'll need to adjust the amount of liquid in your recipe to compensate for the additional moisture that comes with the syrups. For best results, substitute up to half of the amount of granulated sugar. (2) Syrups, such as honey and maple syrup will add a distinct flavor to recipes. (3) The sweetness and other properties of granulated sugar are not the same as syrups. For example, honey is sweeter allowing us to use slightly less than sugar. It also absorbs and retains more moisture than sugar. Check out my complete guide to substitute syrup for sugar HERE.
What's Out in Stores in 2020?
Please find below C&H Granulated White Sugars sold in stores or visit their Amazon Store =>
How Much Does Sugar Cost?
A pound of C&H Granulated Sugar online varies from $1.50 to $6, with an average of $3.50. In-store prices are lower, ranging from 50 to 90 cents per pound, with an average of 75 cents. When it comes to buying granulated sugar, it is well worth a trip to the store.
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As part of my "Sweetener Review Series," I occasionally write about one specific brand or product to help you explore new options or decide on which sweetener is right for you. I do not promote or endorse one brand or sweetener over another. My reviews take into consideration all aspects of the sweetener, such as chemical composition, source, production process, uses, recipes, taste, appearance, certifications (fair trade, organic), how to store, and how they compare with table sugar and other common sweeteners.
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