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Yellow rock sugar, also known as rock candy is unlike ordinary refined sugar. It has a more crystal-like appearance and is commonly used in Asian cooking because of its subtle sweetness.
Yellow rock sugar comes in large, irregular forms measuring up to 1 inch wide, and can be ground before use.
Yellow rock sugar is different from regular sugar because of its texture and flavor, and unlike refined white sugar, it doesn’t have any heightened caramel tones.
As a result, it can be used in many soups and sauces to create that perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors.
People also use yellow rock sugar to sweeten their beverages and it is better than white sugar because not only does it help in balancing the flavor, but it’s also generally a healthier alternative to standard white sugar.
However, if you don’t live near Asian markets, it may be difficult to find yellow rock sugar since it’s not as readily available as compared to conventional white sugar.
There are other substitutes for yellow rock sugar that cannot only give you the same sweetness but the same benefits as well.
Yellow Rock Sugar Substitutes
Here are some of the most popular substitutes for yellow rock sugar that you can use.
1. Granulated White Sugar
Most people use yellow rock candy in many cooking recipes that involve soups and sauces. You can replace yellow rock sugar with granulated white sugar too since they are generally both used for adding a sweet flavor to the dish.
The taste will be the same if you level the sweetness of white sugar. To maintain a balance, for each crystal of yellow sugar, take one tablespoon of white sugar.
White sugar is available everywhere and is commonly used in tea, baked goods, and as a sweetener in most recipes. White sugar has been refined from beet sugar and cane sugar which are also the prime ingredients of yellow rock sugar.
2. Brown Sugar
Yellow sugar is a subtle and simmered-down version of brown sugar and they share a similar molasses flavor as well. Brown sugar is widely used in popular Asian recipes like orange chicken.
You can add it to your baked sweets like cinnamon buns, cakes, and cookies for a milder taste. Brown sugar is practically the same as yellow sugar but a bit sweeter and generally available in a softer form.
Brown sugar is free of all additives and pesticides that most sugars have which makes them slightly more natural. This is also a healthier option compared to white sugar because it contains magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Brown sugar is mostly used by people who are conscious about their weight but want to eat something sweet. That’s because of its softer taste which is very similar to yellow rock sugar.
Unlike granulated white sugar, brown sugar has high energy content which can sustain you over a long period and help you healthily control your cravings.
However, just like white sugar, it’s generally a wise idea to not consume too much of it in one go. That could cause a sugar rush, and the crash that follows after is generally not good.
3. Palm Sugar
One of the key ingredients of yellow rock sugar is palm sugar. Thus, you can easily substitute yellow rock sugar for palm sugar. Palm sugar is generally used in sweets and teas as well.
Palm sugar is also known as coconut sugar; it is one of the healthiest forms of sugar because it is packed with vitamins while also having a low glycemic index than very healthy options like honey.
People with diabetes can use palm sugar in moderation as well. Due to palm sugar’s mild sweetness, it is not over-whelming like white or brown sugar and helps bring out the flavor in your dishes.
Palm sugar has over 16 amino acids and is rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc which benefit people by keeping them full for a longer period.
Palm sugar is even said to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression as the brain is fueled by sugar and is great for your metabolism.
4. Cane Sugar
Cane sugar is one of the constituents of yellow rock sugar, so if you can’t find the latter, just use cane sugar instead.
However, it is a bit unconventional because of its texture. This sugar is made of sucrose primarily and on its own (unrefined), cane sugar is said to be healthy due to the fact that it contains a generally lower number of calories (16 calories per cube).
Cane sugar is rich in carbohydrates which can help you sustain yourself over a long period and avoid hunger pangs.
It is also stored in your body as healthy fats so over time, if you get hungry, your body burns this fat to give you more energy.
Cane sugar is very similar to beet sugar in its health benefits and is only slightly different in taste, so people usually classify them together.
5. Beet sugar
A direct alternative that you can use if you can’t find yellow rock sugar is beet sugar. It also contains sucrose, which is the primary substance that’s naturally found in all sweet things such as dates or honey.
This substance is highly concentrated in sugar beets, and despite what many think, there is a stark difference between beet sugar and cane sugar. Many health stores label them separately.
That’s because the molasses that are the underlying reason behind the color of brown sugar are generally derived from processing sugarcane.
They are not derived from sugar beets. Contrary to what people think, brown sugar that’s made using sugar beets generally contains sugarcane molasses.
That is one of the reasons why many chefs primarily use brown sugar that’s made from processing sugarcane.
There’s also a difference in the mineral content between the two.
While the chemical composition of the two is generally similar (which is why it’s such a viable alternative), you should know that the refining process s what causes the change and makes the two different from one another.
Beet sugar is generally sold at artisanal stores, so it’s going to be hard for you to come by. However, if you have some lying around the house, you can use it instead of yellow rock sugar.
Most people generally use yellow rock sugar when making pho. It’s a popular Asian dish, but there are quite a few iterations available for you to choose from.
There’s really no limitation on the type of sugar you can use when making pho, so even standard table sugar is fine.
But, if you are making a specific dish and want to get that unique taste, you can select any of the substitutes from this list.
Most people aren’t generally particular about using specific kinds of sugar in pho, but if you want to take a pick, just use any of these to get the closest taste to using yellow rock sugar.