Explore

7 Essential Tips to Handle Every Situation with Sugar You Can’t Resist

Don't just think of sugar as a sweetener! Uncover 7 secret tricks to elevate your cooking with sugar, making your dishes tastier, more visually appealing, and full of surprising benefits.

Administrator

24 February, 2024

133

Sugar, a familiar ingredient in any kitchen, has become a versatile ingredient in the preparation of many dishes, from pastries, desserts, and porridge to flavorful soups, stews, and stir-fries. Besides enhancing the taste of the food, sugar also has many other special uses that you may not be aware of.

Reduce the saltiness of the food

Sometimes, during cooking, we may accidentally add too much salt to the dish. In the case of soups, the solution is quite simple: just add water. However, for braised or stir-fried dishes, this method does not apply. So what can be done to salvage the situation?

An effective solution you can try is to use sugar. Sugar not only brings sweetness to the dish but also has the ability to reduce saltiness. By adding a little sugar to the dish, you can balance the flavors and reduce the saltiness without compromising the quality of the food. Make sure to add it gradually and taste-test to ensure that the balance of flavors is not lost.

Enhance the color of the food

For those who love cooking, “master stock” is no longer an unfamiliar term. It is a special colored liquid that creates attractive colors and unique flavors for the food. The main ingredient that creates “master stock” is sugar.

In dishes such as caramelized fish or braised meat, when the “master stock” runs out, you can completely use sugar as a substitute. By adding a little sugar, you will create a distinctive flavor and an attractive color, making the dish even more delicious.

Preserve cakes and cheese

A small but useful tip to keep cookies, bread, and cakes fresh is to store them in an airtight container with 1 or 2 sugar cubes. Sugar will help absorb moisture, prevent oxidation, and slow down the development of bacteria, helping the baked goods stay fresh for a longer period of time.

Similarly, to prevent the growth of mold on cheese, you can also apply this trick. Just put a few sugar cubes in the cheese box and make sure the box is tightly closed. Sugar will help keep the cheese fresh and extend its shelf life.

Relieve itching and soothe a burnt tongue

Sugar is not only a familiar spice in cooking but also a small “doctor” in certain emergency situations:

– When you encounter an itchy and irritated situation on your hand after peeling potatoes or chopping chili, try this little trick: wet your hand, then rub a little sugar evenly on the itchy and irritated area. Let the sugar work for 1-3 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. You will quickly feel the discomfort subsiding.

– If you accidentally eat food that is too spicy or too hot and have a burnt tongue, sugar can also help. Just suck on a small sugar cube or sprinkle a little sugar on the burnt area, and the pain will quickly diminish. When eating spicy food, eating a little sugar alongside can also help reduce the burning sensation.

Exfoliate dead skin cells

Skincare is an essential concern for women. To have smooth skin, the first step is cleansing and exfoliating the dead skin cells regularly. Instead of choosing industrial exfoliating creams, you can totally take advantage of natural ingredients such as sugar, lemon, honey, or fruits like tomatoes, bananas… to create an extremely effective exfoliating mixture. Not only cost-effective, this mixture is also gentle, free of irritants, and gives you bright, smooth skin without the need for expensive products.

Remove stains and grease spots

Cleaning products like laundry detergent, bleach are increasingly preferred for their ability to effectively remove stains. However, it should be noted that the ingredients of these products often contain many harmful substances. Therefore, reducing the use of them is necessary.

For yellow stains or small dirt spots on clothes, a safe and effective solution is to use a sugar-water solution. Just apply this mixture to the stain, leave it for about an hour, then wash it again with clean water. The stain will be removed quickly without contact with any harmful chemicals.

In addition, if your hands or feet get oil stains, you can use soap or hand wash mixed with a little sugar and wash as usual. Stubborn dirt will be easily removed.

Keep flowers fresh longer and fertilize plants

Frequently asked questions

When adding sugar to your food or drink, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way. Start by adding a small amount and taste-testing before adding more. You can also try using natural sweeteners like honey or stevia as a healthier alternative to refined sugar.

Sugar can be used in a variety of ways beyond baking and sweetening drinks. For example, you can use it to create a body scrub by mixing it with oil and using it to exfoliate your skin. You can also create a sugar paste to remove unwanted hair, or even use it to soothe a sore throat by gargling with a mixture of sugar and warm water.

Reducing your sugar intake can be a challenge, but there are some simple ways to cut back without sacrificing taste. Try using fruits or natural sweeteners like honey or stevia to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can also gradually reduce the amount of sugar you use in recipes, as your taste buds will adjust over time.

There are several healthy alternatives to refined sugar that you can use. These include honey, maple syrup, stevia, and fruit purees. These alternatives offer natural sweetness and additional nutritional benefits that refined sugar lacks.

Excessive sugar consumption can have negative effects on your health, including weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of developing diabetes. It can also lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by crashes that leave you feeling tired and irritable. However, when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, sugar can provide a quick source of energy.

Yes, there are several sugar substitutes that are safe for baking and can provide similar results. These include erythritol, xylitol, and sucralose. These substitutes usually have a lower calorie count than sugar and can be useful for those watching their weight or managing health conditions like diabetes.

Reading food labels is crucial to making informed choices about your sugar intake. Look for the total sugar content per serving, and be mindful of ingredients that indicate the presence of added sugars, such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, or corn syrup. Opt for products with lower sugar content and choose natural sources of sweetness whenever possible.