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Frequently Asked Questions

Health Related

How fattening is sugar?

There is a misconception that sugar is fattening, actually a teaspoon of sugar contains 16 calories and 0 fats. Being overweight is invariably the result of overeating, sugar consumption, like most other foods, is healthy in moderation. Find out more

How many calories does sugar have?

One teaspoon or 4gm of sugar has 16 calories.

Does sugar cause tooth decay?

For tooth decay to occur there must be 1). a surface, 2). a dental plaque which is a mass of micro-organisms, products that have been broken down by saliva, the products of microbial metabolism and small amounts of dietary debris. If all these factors are present the formation of dental cavities are likely. If sucrose is part of the diet the small molecules provides an immediate source of food for oral bacteria. There is enough evidence that sugar is potentially harmful to teeth, especially when eaten between meals. Find out more

Does sugar cause hyperactivity?

Sugar is a carbohydrate and there is no conclusive evidence to show that increased carbohydrate intake increases the likelihood of hyperactivity in children. Find more info.

What are the sugar alternatives?

There is no sugar alternative but there are alternative sweeteners.

There are natural sweeteners such as Stevia, Fructose and Honey.

There are artificial Low Calorie Sweeteners, such as aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, acesulfame-K, thaumatin, talin. Other artificial sweeteners used in food manufacturing are Neosugar, palatinose, polyglucose, polydextrose, lactose, maltose, galactose, xylose, xylulose, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, sorvitol, mannitol, lactulose, whey-sweetener.

Production

What is sugar?

Sugar is a carbohydrate that is created naturally in all fruits and vegetables. It is produced during the process of photosynthesis by which plants capture sunlight and convert it into food and energy.

How is sugar made?

Milling:

Sugar cane is crushed to extract the juice, this is boiled to thicken it and the sugar crystallizes from this solution.

Refined:

The sugar is washed, redissolved, filtered and recrystallised, which produces the many Chelsea Sugar products available today. Take a tour of the factory and see how sugar is made.

How does sugar arrive in New Zealand?

Milled, raw sugar is imported in bulk from Queensland, Australia. Once it arrives at the Chelsea refinery the raw sugar is washed, redissolved, filtered and recrystallised. This produces the white refined sugar that we are most familiar with.

Some of our specialised products are imported in 25kg bags and is packed on site, for example our Chelsea Organic Sugar.

Where does the sugar cane come from?

The bulk of our raw sugar is sourced from Queensland in Australia and smaller niche sugar variants are sourced from Brazil, Guyana, Australia and Mauritius.

Does sugar contain preservatives or other additives?

No, sugar is pure sucrose, it contains no preservatives or additives of any kind.

Is the sugar genetically modified?

We do not source genetically modified raw sugar.

Do we use bone char or any animal products?

There are no animal products used in the process of sugar production.

Are Chelsea Sugars and Syrups suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

All of our sugar and syrups are suitable for vegetarians and vegans as no animal products are used in the production of Chelsea Sugar.

Are our products Kosher and Halaal?

Yes, our sugar fits in the parameters of Kosher and Halaal.

Is sugar chemically altered or bleached during processing?

No, sugar is not chemically altered or bleached during processing.

The sugar in your sugar bowl is the same as the sucrose naturally present in the sugar cane and is also identical to the sucrose in other fruits and vegetables.

Pure sugar crystals are naturally colourless. No artificial bleaching or whitening is necessary. Molasses, which is naturally present in sugar cane and gives brown sugar its colour, is removed from the sugar crystal with water and centrifuging. Carbon filters absorb any remaining coloured plant materials. See the process

Is Chelsea packaging recyclable?

Our paper packaging and Golden Syrup tin is recyclable.  Our plastic packaging is made from grade 4 Polyethylene Film, which is recycled by most councils in New Zealand.

Product Specific

How does Caster Sugar differ from White Sugar?

Caster Sugar has a smaller crystal size than White Sugar. Caster Sugar is White Sugar that has been sieved through a fine mesh screen. The fine, regular sugar crystals dissolve quickly and caramelise evenly, making Caster Sugar an essential ingredient for the perfect pavlova, light sponge cakes, beverages and dressings.

How does Raw Sugar differ from White Sugar?

Both Raw Sugar and White Sugar are produced by dissolving, filtering and recrystallising the raw sugar received from the sugar mill. White Sugar has an added step, it is passed through an activated carbon decolourising station which absorbs the colour from organic matter.

How does Brown Sugar differ from White Sugar?

All sugar products in the marketplace differ only in crystal size or molasses content. Molasses adds both colour and flavour. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it has.

What’s the difference between Chelsea Dark Cane and Chelsea Soft Brown?

These two sugars can be used interchangeably in recipes calling for brown sugar. For a delicate, light, nutty caramel flavour, use Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar. For a rich, old-time molasses taste and deeper colour, use Chelsea Dark Cane Sugar.

Chelsea Dark Cane Sugar contains more dark refinery syrup, which is responsible for the rich molasses taste and darker colour.

Where does Demerara Sugar get its name from?

The sugar is named after Demerara in Guyana, the name does not define its origin, but simply a type of golden sugar. Today, countries like Mauritius export some of the best Demerara sugar available.

What are the ingredients of Chelsea Golden syrup?

Golden Syrup is made from natural raw cane sugar. It is a mixture of sucrose (25-30%), fructose, glucose (45-50%) and 18% water combined with a mineral content that gives it the characteristic flavour and colour.

Can Coeliacs use Chelsea Icing Sugar?

Yes, the tapioca starch in Chelsea Icing Sugar is gluten free. There is 3% Tapioca starch in each pack of Icing Sugar to keep the product free flowing.

What is maple flavour?

The Maple Flavour used in Chelsea Maple Syrup and Chelsea Honey Maple Flavoured Syrup is not an artificial flavour, it is classed as a nature-identical flavour.  

Nature identical flavours are chemically identical to natural flavours, but has been obtained through synthesis in a laboratory.  

How is a Low GI sugar Better for You? What are the benefits of low GI foods?
Regular table sugar or sucrose has a glycemic index or GI of 65 (moderate GI), Chelsea LogiCane™ has had its GI officially tested and has a GI ranking of 50, making it a low GI sugar.

The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates, including sugars in food are digested and converted into glucose in the blood. Low GI foods release glucose into the bloodstream slowly, providing sustained, slower released energy throughout your day.

Blood glucose levels in the body affect many different physiological processes. These include both physical and mental energy levels, mood, hunger and whether the body selects to use or to store its reserved energy (e.g. use or stored body fat).

There is growing evidence to demonstrate that eating low GI carbohydrate foods as part of a low GI diet can help with the maintenance of a healthy, active lifestyle and is associated with better long term health.

For further information on the benefits of Low GI eating refer to www.gisymbol.com.au
How can a low GI sugar provide longer lasting energy?
The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates, including sugars in food are digested and converted into glucose in the blood. Low GI foods, including Chelsea LoGiCane™ release glucose into the blood stream slowly, providing longer lasting energy.
Does low GI sugar have the same calories/kilojoules as regular sugar?
Yes, both types of sugar have an energy content of 1690kJ/100g or 68kJ per 4 gram teaspoon.
Is it suitable for everyone or just those with diabetes?
For those with diabetes who need to regulate their blood glucose to manage their condition, LoGiCane™ is particularly beneficial providing slow and sustained release of energy. However, there is growing evidence to show that everybody can potentially benefit their health from eating more low GI foods as part of a healthy low GI diet and active lifestyle.

For further information refer to www.gisymbol.com.au
Isn’t the GI of regular sugar moderate and not as high, as is most commonly thought?
Yes that is true, the GI of regular table sugar or sucrose is 65 which is classed as moderate GI, new Chelsea LoGiCane™ has GI rating of 50.
Isn’t fructose better for you than Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI Sugar as it has a GI of only 23?
Fructose is naturally found in fruit, but appears in the diet in many different forms. For example, in the US, fructose is commonly used to sweeten soft drinks in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

There is ongoing debate among nutrition experts regarding the merits of fructose in the diet. There is some evidence to suggest that it is handled differently in the body and may be associated with obesity and other health issues.
How is Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI sugar made? How can it be 100% natural?
Using world first technology, each Chelsea LoGiCane™ sugar crystal has a layer of polyphenols, a naturally occurring compound found in sugar cane molasses. This increases sugar’s resistance to digestion, when molasses is sprayed onto the crystal during the normal sugar refining step. Chelsea LoGiCane™ is made from 100% sugar cane.
When regular sugar is replaced by Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI sugar in a recipe, how does this change the GI of the recipe?
This really depends on the type of recipe, ingredients and cooking time.
Has Chelsea worked with anyone to create Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI sugar?
New Chelsea LoGiCane™ has been developed by CSR Sugar Australia in partnership with Horizon Science. LoGiCane™ is a registered trademark of Horizon Science Pty Ltd.
Where is Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI sugar cane grown?
The sugar cane used for Chelsea LoGiCane™ sugar is grown in Australia - Mossman, Queensland.
Is Chelsea LoGiCane™ Low GI sugar derived from genetically modified ingredients?
No, Chelsea LoGiCane™ is 100% natural, made entirely from sugar cane. Using world first technology, each Chelsea LoGiCane™ sugar crystal has a layer of polyphenols. Therefore this is a naturally occurring compound found in sugar cane molasses that increases sugar’s resistance to digestion, sprayed onto the crystal during the normal sugar refining step.
What is Molasses?

Molasses is a dark, viscous liquid that is a by product of the sugar production. It is produced when sugar syrup is boiled to get to crystalline form, and in particular, blackstrap molasses is made from the third boiling of sugar syrup.

Storage

What is the shelf life of sugar?

There is no best before date for most sugars, if stored properly it will last until it is used as it does not support microbial growth. Sugar is best when stored in a cool, dry place.

Please note: Jam Setting Sugar and Rich Chocolate Icing  have a limited shelf life.

What is the best way to store sugar?

Sugar should be stored in an airtight container in a moisture-free environment. When sugar leaves our refinery it is dry and soft. The most frequent cause of hard sugar is that moisture has been absorbed by the sugar and has evaporated off again. Changes in climate can also affect the consistency of the sugar. (High humidity or dry weather)

Can I store my sugar in the fridge or freezer?

Because Sugar has a indefinite shelf life (it does not support microbial growth), it does not need to be frozen to prolong shelf life. By storing it in your fridge or freezer you are exposing it to moisture, the sugar could absorb the moisture and harden. For best results store sugar in an airtight container.

Can I make hardened sugar soft again?

Yes, here is a method to soften sugar:

Preheat oven to a low temperature (120°C).

Remove the sugar from the package and put in an ovenproof container that will hold the sugar. Place in the warm oven for approx 15 minutes. Tap sugar with a spoon to test, if it falls apart, turn oven off and leave sugar in the oven for an hour or two to completely dry out.

Is it safe to store the sugar in plastic packaging?

It is safe to store your sugar in its original packaging. For best results, ensure the pack is tightly closed, this can be done by folding and securing the top of packaging over.

Alternatively, when you open the package, cut the top of the package open. Keep the top 5cm of plastic package ribbon you have just cut off and use this ribbon to tie around the top of the pack to close it.

Do I need to store my Chelsea Syrup in the refrigerator?

Chelsea Golden Syrup, Maple Flavoured Syrup and Honey Maple Flavoured Syrup has to be stored at room temperature. If it is stored in the fridge, your syrup will crystallise.

Baking and Preserving

How do you measure Golden Syrup?

The easiest way is to use a tablespoon. 1 tablespoon = 25g

How do I measure Golden Syrup without making a mess?

Warm the measuring spoon or cup in hot water before dipping it in the Golden Syrup - the heated utensil ensures the syrup slides off easily.

Can I substitute Easy Pour Golden Syrup for the Golden Syrup tin?

The Easy Pour Golden Syrup is lighter in consistency, colour and taste than the Chelsea Golden Syrup Tin, the Chelsea Golden Syrup Easy Pour has a more subtle caramel flavour. Because of the lighter consistency it is not always recommended for baking.

Can honey be used as a substitute for sugar in baking?

For best results, it is not recommended that honey is substituted for sugar. It can be substituted for Chelsea Easy Pour Golden Syrup and Chelsea Maple Flavoured Syrup and Chelsea Honey Maple Flavoured Syrup.

 

Does sugar do anything other than sweeten baked goods?
In addition to providing sweetness, sugar adds flavour, bulk, and structure. In cakes without butter, sugar helps delay egg coagulation (keeps the egg from thickening) and allows a cake to "set" properly. It also retains moisture in baked goods and when heated above its melting point, it caramelizes and takes on an amber colour with a wonderful aroma and flavour. Sugar reacts chemically with proteins during baking and browns the food surface. Higher sugar content in baked goods results in a darker brown surface.
Can Icing Sugar be substituted for White Sugar in recipes?

It is not recommended to substitute Icing Sugar for White Sugar as Icing Sugar has a much finer texture and contains a small percentage of starch to prevent caking. Substituting can give you unexpected results.