Sugars and Syrups

Sugars and syrups are sweet substances used in foods and beverages to enhance flavor. Sugars are naturally occurring carbohydrate molecules, like glucose and sucrose, found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Syrups are thick liquids made by dissolving or extracting sugars from various sources, such as corn (corn syrup) or plants (maple syrup). They provide quick energy, improve texture, and add sweetness. While natural sugars come from whole foods, syrups often involve processing and can contain concentrated sugars. Both are common in cooking, baking, and beverage manufacturing to create desirable sweetness and consistency.