Natural Rock Sugar (Ratchavipa)

Natural Rock Sugar (Ratchavipa)

Product Name: Натуральный каменный сахар, Saccharum officinarum, Natural Rock Sugar, Naturzucker-Kandis, Sucre candi naturel, Azúcar de roca natural, น้ำตาลกรวด

Synonyms: rock candy, sugar candy, crystal sugar, rock sugar.

Parts Used: sugar juice from sugar cane stems.

Product Nutritional Value: carbohydrates, sucrose, glucose, fructose, potassium, calcium, magnesium.

Primary Beneficial Properties of the Product: source of quick energy, improvement of dish flavor, gentle sweetening of beverages, support for brain function, increased tone during fatigue.

Beneficial for Conditions: hypoglycemia, asthenia, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Contraindicated for Conditions: diabetes mellitus, obesity, dental caries, metabolic syndrome.

Culinary Use: sweetening of tea, coffee, and herbal infusions, preparation of soups and broths, preparation of curries and sauces, use in desserts and sweet drinks, preparation of syrups.

Forms and Processed Products: sugar crystals, granulated sugar, syrup, molasses.

Geography of Use and Dietary Traditions

Rock sugar has a long history of use in Asia, primarily in China, India, and Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand. It is obtained by slowly cooling concentrated sugar cane syrup, which allows for the formation of large, transparent crystals. In Chinese and Thai traditional cuisine, rock sugar is used not only for sweetening drinks but also as an ingredient in medicinal decoctions, where it softens the taste of bitter herbs. In India and Arab countries, similar crystals are known as kandis and are served with tea or coffee. In Europe, rock sugar is widely used in German and Dutch traditions for preparing strong tinctures, particularly rum and bitters, as well as for sweetening strong tea (e.g., in Northern Germany and East Frisia). In Thailand, rock sugar is part of many desserts, soups, and refreshing drinks, as it imparts a mild sweetness without the sharp sweetness of regular sugar. Overall, the product holds an important place in the food ethnography of different cultures, combining culinary and medical traditions.

Toxicity and Food Safety

Rock sugar is a safe product when consumed in moderation; however, its excessive consumption is associated with risks of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and dental diseases. No allergic reactions to the product have been identified; anti-nutrients are absent.

Product Composition: 100% cane sugar

Culinary Recipes with Natural Rock Sugar 

Recipe 1. Thai Ginger Tea with Rock Sugar

• Ingredients: water 500 ml, fresh ginger 30 g, rock sugar 30 g, lemon juice 10 ml.
• Preparation method: Bring water to a boil (100 °C), add sliced ginger and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Strain, add rock sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Pour in lemon juice and serve hot.
• Dish Nutritional Value: 65 kcal, protein 0.2 g, fat 0 g, carbohydrates 16 g per serving (250 ml).
• Culinary Features: traditional Thai beverage, used as a warming and tonic remedy, popular in the street tea stalls of Thailand and China.

Recipe 2. Chinese Dessert "White Mushrooms Soup with Rock Sugar"

• Ingredients: dried white tremella mushrooms (Tremella fuciformis) 20 g, red dates 30 g, dried goji berries 15 g, rock sugar 40 g, water 1 L.
• Preparation method: Soak the mushrooms in cold water for 1 hour, then rinse and cut into pieces. Bring water to a boil (100 °C), add the mushrooms and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes. Add the red dates and goji berries, simmer for another 20 minutes. Add rock sugar, stir until dissolved, and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve hot or chilled.
• Dish Nutritional Value: 110 kcal, protein 2 g, fat 0.5 g, carbohydrates 26 g per serving (250 ml).
• Culinary Features: classic Chinese sweet soup, traditionally consumed as a dessert and a remedy for strengthening the lungs and skin, especially popular in Southern China.