Haiku to Turbinado Sugar

The back label describes it as "large crystal turbinado sugar", but I describe it as pure yumminess in a jar. This particular sugar began life as sugar cane on a central Maui plantation. The cane was crushed for its juices, which were then boiled to separate out impurities. This purified sugar liquid is spun in a centrifuge or turbine (hence the name turbinado) to accelerate crystallization. The finished product made its way to the local market where I snatched it up and now use it liberally in place of both white and light brown sugars.

Tasting white granulated sugar, brown cane sugar and turbinado sugar side by side, there are distinct differences. The brown sugar is quite sweet compared to the turbinado, while the latter melts more slowly on the tongue as the amber crystals dissolve into a faint molasses finish. In comparison, the white sugar tastes bland and processed, like the cheese whiz of the sucrose world.

This sugar provides such the perfect complement to my oatmeal today that I'm inspired to wax poetic:

Caramel diamonds
Arrayed on their soft pillow
Until I scarf down.

For those of you with super-sized sugar cravings, Maui Brand's premium turbinado is available in one ton superblocks.