How to Store Sugar: Tips and Tricks to Keep it Fresh For a Long Time

There are those who love it, those who choose not to consume it and those who have easily learned to replace it in every type of homemade cake and dessert: whatever your position on sugar, we are sure that you have a package in the pantry. Granulated or cane, sugar is a basic ingredient that we all have at home and although it is a food that does not have an expiration date and that maintains all its properties intact even for years, it is important to follow some small precautions to store it correctly. Let's see how to do it correctly, what happens to sugar when it comes into contact with humidity and how to fix it if it hardens.

How to Store Sugar

Once opened, the safest way to store sugar is to place it in a glass container with an airtight seal and keep it in the pantry, at room temperature, in a dry place and away from heat sources. As an alternative to glass, we can use a plastic container, the important thing is that it is well closed, preferably hermetically.

One of the main characteristics of sugar is its ability to absorb odors and humidity, for this reason it is advisable to store it tightly closed and away from spices or aromas that could alter its taste and flavor. In this way, it is possible to store sugar for up to five years: whether it is granulated or cane, it is important to know that bacteria do not feed on sugar and therefore do not reproduce inside it.

How to prevent granulated or brown sugar from hardening and coagulating, forming lumps? A really effective trick is to insert a marshmallow into the container; this sweet treat will help the sugar maintain the right level of humidity and will not alter its flavor. When in contact with humidity, sugar tends to compact and crystallize: in this case, simply place it in the refrigerator for a few hours and shake the container before using it.

How to Soften Hardened Brown Sugar

Brown sugar has a characteristic moist and grainy consistency but, just like "white" granulated sugar, it becomes hard and compact when it comes into contact with humidity. If stored badly, brown sugar risks turning into small "stones" that are definitely not very usable: what to do in this case? To separate granulated sugar we can choose between different options:

• Bread: we put the brown sugar in a bag with a slice of sandwich bread, close it and wait a few hours. The sugar will become soft and easy to use.
• Apple: cut an apple and put a segment in a bag with the sugar, close it and let the fruit act. After a few hours, the sugar will be perfectly separated.
• Microwave: The quickest way to crumble hardened sugar is to heat it in the microwave for a few seconds and then stir it with a teaspoon.