Muscovado came from the Spanish word mascabado (which means unrefined). Muscovado is a type of unrefined sugar that still contains vitamins and minerals from sugar cane making it pure and healthy, unlike the refined (white) sugar which is stripped off its nutrient in the process of refinement. Muscovado has a very dark brown color and stickier than most brown sugar, it takes its flavor from its source, sugarcane juice. Muscovado has a reasonably long shelf life.

Muscovado sugar is known before as the poor peoples' sugar, but things have changed, today as more and more people (especially the rich) are becoming conscious of their health, they are now opting for a healthier food product. That is why muscovado is now considered one of the high-priced sweeteners in the market. Only a pure natural honey can compare to muscovado's nutritive value. One important reason why muscovado is becoming popular today is because, it's low calorie content as compared to white sugar.

Why refined sugar is not good?

• The process of refinement not only remove the important vitamins and minerals out of the food, but it also makes the food product acidic and as we all know acid is one of the main causes of premature aging, weakening of the bone and development of some diseases.

• Another reason why refined sugar is not good is, when we eat sugar, we lose B vitamins, minerals such as calcium, iron and other nutrients from our own healthy cells. As the alkaline minerals are depleted from our bodies, we become more and more acidic, making us susceptible to some diseases.

• Lastly the more we eat sugar or sweet foods, the more we crave for it, the reason sugar gives us intense cravings is that our bodies are looking for the missing nutrients (because refined sugar has empty calories and provide absolutely no nutritional benefits). If the body continuously craves for sugar, it can result to diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Uses: As sweetener for coffee, chocolate drinks and other beverages. It is also use for baking and making whiskey.