Muscovado Sugar

Muscovado is a type of partially refined to unrefined sugar with a strong molasses content and flavor, dark brown in color, made either as a non-centrifugal cane sugar or by centrifuging that leaves it only partially refined; because it keeps more of the sugarcane juice's natural minerals than white sugar, it retains higher levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron, and it is slightly coarser and stickier than standard brown sugars. It is used in food manufacturing, confectionery and the production of rum and other distilled spirits. India produces about 58 percent of the world's muscovado, followed by Colombia at 14 percent, Myanmar at 9 percent, Pakistan at 6 percent and Brazil at 4 percent, for a global total of 10 to 11 million tons a year across some 20 countries; the English name comes from a Portuguese corruption of acucar mascavado, meaning unrefined sugar.