Quick Answer
White sugar, golden sugar, rock sugar, Taiwanese brown sugar (heitang) and red sugar are all cane sugar. The difference is how refined they are and how much molasses they keep: white sugar is the purest; golden (No. 2) sugar keeps a little molasses, so it is light brown with a caramel note; rock sugar is refined sugar recrystallized into large crystals; Taiwanese brown sugar is boiled-down cane juice with the molasses left in, giving the richest flavor. Bubble tea shops mostly use liquid sugars such as fructose syrup, cane sugar syrup and brown sugar syrup because they dissolve and dose easily.
Five sugars compared
| Type | How it is made | Look and flavor | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| White sugar (granulated, fine) | Cane juice is concentrated, crystallized, centrifuged and sieved; highly refined | White, clean sweetness | Drinks, baking, cooking |
| Golden sugar (No. 2 sugar) | Crystallized and centrifuged, but less molasses removed | Light golden brown, caramel note | Black tea, coffee, braising, baking |
| Rock sugar | Refined sugar dissolved and recrystallized | Large clear crystals, mild sweetness | Stews, sweet soups |
| Taiwanese brown sugar | Cane juice boiled down without separating molasses | Dark brown, rich molasses aroma | Brown sugar boba, brown sugar syrup, desserts |
| Red sugar | Used differently by region; in Taiwan often used interchangeably with brown sugar; some products blend sugar with molasses | Reddish brown | Sweet soups, baking |
Products sold as “brown sugar” can be traditionally boiled or blended (molasses mixed back into golden sugar). Flavor and cost differ, so check the ingredient list and process when sourcing.
Coarse, fine and golden sugar: what is the difference?
All three are cane sugar. They differ mainly in crystal size and how completely the molasses is removed. Coarse sugar has larger crystals and absorbs less moisture; golden sugar keeps more molasses, so it looks yellower. A widely shared claim that coarse sugar contains sulfides has been rated false by fact-checkers.
Why do bubble tea shops use liquid sugar?
Granulated sugar dissolves poorly in iced drinks. For consistent sweetness and fast service, shops use fructose or cane sugar syrup with a fructose dispenser, and brown sugar syrup for tiger-stripe drinks. See also sugar and ice levels.
| Shop sugar | Features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fructose syrup | Liquid, dissolves instantly, very sweet | Most teas and fruit teas |
| Cane sugar syrup | Tastes close to cane sugar, rounder sweetness | Teas that highlight cane sugar flavor |
| Brown sugar syrup | Rich molasses aroma, dark color | Brown sugar boba milk |
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies fructose syrup, cane sugar syrup, brown sugar syrup and a full range of syrups, quoted and shipped together with tapioca pearls, tea and toppings. Bulk white or raw sugar by the ton is a global commodity priced by the market; please contact our sales team for a separate quote.
Products in this article
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FAQ
What is the difference between white sugar and brown sugar?
White sugar is centrifuged and refined for a clean taste; Taiwanese brown sugar is boiled-down cane juice that keeps its molasses, so it is darker and richer.
What is golden (No. 2) sugar?
It is made like white sugar but with less molasses removed, so it is light brown with a caramel note.
Is rock sugar purer than granulated sugar?
Rock sugar is refined sugar dissolved and recrystallized, so it is usually the purest and tastes milder.
Is red sugar the same as brown sugar?
It depends on the region. In Taiwan the names are often used interchangeably; some red sugar is blended from sugar and molasses, so check the label.
What sugar do bubble tea shops use?
Most use liquid sugars such as fructose syrup or cane sugar syrup with a dispenser, and brown sugar syrup for brown sugar drinks.
Related Reading
Fructose Syrup vs Cane Sugar Syrup: Which Sugar Bubble Tea Uses and How Sweetness Levels Work
What Is Taiwanese Brown Sugar (Kokuto)? Using Brown Sugar Syrup for Brown Sugar Boba and How to Store It
Bubble Tea Sugar and Ice Levels Explained: How to Define 100%, 50%, 30% Sugar and Regular, Less or No Ice
The Less-Sugar Trend in Bubble Tea: Taiwan’s Added Sugar Guideline, Labeling Rules and How Shops Cut SugarAlso see: Syrups & jams (products)
