Copius
Muscovado, drawn for Copius

Muscovado

Muscovado

Latin nameSaccharum officinarum
FamilySweet pantry
OriginMauritius & the Philippines
Season (France)All year
FlavourRich · Earthy · Smoky · Sweet
Typical price (France)6–12 €/kg

What it is

Sugar with none of its molasses removed — the darkest, stickiest, least processed form there is, and it tastes of liquorice and smoke rather than simple sweetness. The name comes from Portuguese mascavado, unrefined.

In the kitchen

It clumps into rock. Keep a piece of bread or a terracotta disc in the jar and it stays workable.

Goes with

Dark chocolate Coffee Ginger Butter Cream Banana Cinnamon Pecan

Same species

Cane vinegar Chinese rock sugar Dark rum Demerara sugar Golden syrup Icing sugar

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