TURBINADO Meaning and
Definition
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Turbinado is a term used to describe a type of natural cane sugar that has gone through minimal processing. Derived from the Spanish word "turbina" which means turbine, turbinado sugar gets its name due to its slightly golden color and crystalline structure resembling tiny turbines.
Turbinado sugar is made from sugar cane juice that has been extracted and heated to evaporate the water content. Unlike refined white sugar, turbinado sugar retains some of the natural molasses from the sugar cane plant, giving it a light amber hue and a subtle caramel flavor. It is often used as a natural sweetener in baking, coffee, tea, and other beverages.
The production process of turbinado sugar involves spinning the cane juice in centrifuges to remove impurities and excess moisture, followed by crystallization and drying. The result is a coarse and granular sugar that is less refined than white sugar but has larger crystals compared to other natural sugars like demerara or muscovado.
Turbinado sugar is considered a healthier alternative to processed white sugar as it retains some of the natural minerals and nutrients found in sugarcane. It has a slightly lower calorie count than refined white sugar and provides a small amount of calcium, potassium, iron, and other trace minerals.
Overall, turbinado sugar is a less refined and slightly more nutritious form of sugar that is commonly used as a natural sweetener in various culinary applications.
Etymology of TURBINADO
The word "turbinado" comes from the Spanish language. It is derived from the word "turbina", which means turbine, and the suffix "-ado", which is used to form adjectives. In Spanish, "turbina" refers to a turbine or a wheel set in motion by a fluid, such as wind or water. "Turbinado" translates to "made like a turbine" or "having the characteristics of a turbine". It is often used to describe a type of raw sugar that has large, coarse crystals resembling the blades of a turbine.
