Date sugar

To put it mildly, this is perhaps the most inventive kind of sugar, which may help to explain why it costs more than other sugar alternatives. Date sugar, which has its roots in the Middle East, is created by crushing dry dates into granules that first resemble conventional brown sugar. Date sugar is less granular and more fibrous than regular sugar, as you can see if you look closely. Its flavor and texture are comparable to brown sugar's caramel flavor.

The advantages of date sugar for health are widely documented. Dates are rich in fiber, iron, B vitamins, and potassium, claims One Green Planet. Therefore, it's comforting to know that these nutrients are a plus when using date sugar. Well, when dehydrating and grinding, some of those fibers are retained. Small fibers found in date sugar prevent it from dissolving when cooked or baked. This is crucial to bear in mind as you consider the texture your recipe will hopefully produce. Would this sugar work well as a smooth glaze for donuts? In a word, no.