Corn Syrup. Common question and answers for them 😊

So what is Corn Syrup anyway?

Corn syrup is a vegan-friendly gluten-free sweetener. Certain types of food are harmful to health. Still, it is worth considering a sweetener as a type of sugar. Therefore, do not overuse the product.

The syrup is made from corn kernels processed into starch. The grains are cleaned of husks, hard germ layers, and the inner mealy part is broken down to glucose using special enzymes. The resulting mass is heated and converted into a homogeneous liquid syrup.

What is the difference between corn syrup and regular sugar?

Some people believe that syrup is made from boiled corn kernels, so they often ask the question of whether there is sugar in the composition. The product itself is a sugar made from corn starch, not beets or cane. But there are significant differences between regular refined sugar and syrup.

The product that is obtained from beets (the second name is sucrose) consists of equal parts of glucose and fructose. Good quality corn syrup is 100% glucose. The human body absorbs glucose faster and easier, so it makes sense for those who are looking after their health to abandon refined sugar in favour of corn syrup.

Differences between classic corn syrup and high fructose syrup?

People who are accustomed to carefully studying the packaging of finished products, "correct" sweets, sometimes notice high fructose corn syrup in the composition. The product is considered not so healthy since it has a high fructose content in the composition. In order to break down and assimilate the polysaccharide, the liver has to work harder. If the sweetener is consumed in large quantities, it will be possible to notice an increase in the level of triglycerides in the blood. The risk of developing metabolic syndrome, deterioration of the fatty acid composition of the blood increases several times.

High fructose corn syrup is often used industrially. The ingredient costs about the same as the classic sweetener, but much less is needed to achieve the desired sweetness level.

Differences between corn syrup (glucose syrup) and golden syrup?

Consumers often use glucose syrup as analogue sweeteners. Indeed, good quality corn syrup is 100% glucose, but the two products are not identical. Glucose syrup can be made from potato starch, rice starch, and mixtures thereof. Products can differ in viscosity, varying degrees of sweetness. Of course, 100% corn syrup can be hidden under the label "glucose", but in most cases, manufacturers call it mixed raw materials.

There are many more differences between corn syrup and golden syrup.

Products can be called interchangeable, but keep in mind that golden syrup is made from regular refined sugar and has a distinct taste. In contrast, corn syrup is more neutral taste.

The gold syrup can be used in place of honey. The bright caramel flavour allows you to use the sweetener as a standalone dessert, or as molasses for a pie.

Potential harm to human health

Classic corn syrup has long been recognised as a completely safe food product. The ingredient is widely used in food preparation and is even added to infant formula. High fructose corn syrup is a health hazard. The fact is that the body cannot use fructose until the liver converts the monosaccharide into more easily digestible forms. Constant stress on the liver, excessive use of a sweetener increases insulin resistance, which is potentially associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. High fructose corn syrup is not a dietary food and can cause weight gain.

If it is not possible to completely abandon foods with sweeteners, then you should at least reduce their amount in the diet to a minimum. Consuming corn syrup in reasonable amounts is entirely safe on its own, though.

How to store corn syrup? How long is the shelf life?

The sweetener can be stored in a dry, dark place at room temperature. Syrup packaging usually has expiration dates, although the date only informs how much the product can retain its original visual characteristics. In fact, the term can be called unlimited. The product may change colour, density, but still remain usable.

What are the benefits of the usage of corn syrup?

High-quality corn syrup adds sweetness to baked goods without changing their aroma and colour. Light sweetener is usually used in baking, while dark sweetener is added to caramel and candies.

Other benefits of using corn syrup

• obtaining a delicate texture: no sugar grains in mousses, jelly;

• fast impregnation of biscuits;

• prevention of drying out of sweet baked goods;

• extending the shelf life of products.

It is recommended to add vanilla to the classic light sweetener, and alcohol with a strong aroma to the dark one. Corn syrup can be used in any recipe as a substitute for regular refined sugar.

What can replace corn syrup?

In addition to the sweeteners discussed above, which are often confused with corn syrup, there are other analogues. The main thing is to understand the differences and be able to calculate the required amount of a substitute component correctly.

1. Honey. It has a similar structure but is destroyed by heat treatment. Some types of honey have a bright taste and a rather dark shade.

2. Date syrup. The best substitute for dark corn syrup. Differs in rich caramel colour and increased sweetness—ideal for making caramel.

3. Maple syrup. Made from maple sap, it has a deeper colour than dark corn syrup. Maple syrup is less sweet, has a characteristic woody flavour, and is much more expensive than its counterparts.

Corn syrup is an excellent alternative to refined sugar. It's worth experimenting and switching to a healthier sweetener.