invert sugar
noun
: a mixture of usually equal proportions of dextrose and levulose that is sweeter than sucrose, is resistant to crystallization and promotes retention of moisture, and is used commercially in various foods (such as baked goods, confections, or fruit preserves) and beverages to enhance flavor and texture and prolong shelf life
Note: Invert sugar resembles honey in composition but not in flavor and is produced commercially by acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis.
Examples of invert sugar in a Sentence
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Cane syrup is an invert sugar, or one held in liquid form, similar to corn syrup.
—
Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
Alternatives like glucose syrup (a more refined type of invert sugar favored by pastry chefs) can’t be found at your average grocery store, and the popular sweeteners detailed above won’t prevent crystallization.
—Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 14 Sep. 2023
In some recipes, invert sugar or honey may be added in lieu of corn syrup.
—Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2014
Without getting too in the weeds, the smaller molecules of invert sugar lend it the characteristic texture of a thick liquid that imparts glossy sheen and smoothness.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
Note that granola bars may use other names for sugar, including corn syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, invert sugar, molasses, barley malt extract, fructose, and dextrose.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 3 Sep. 2019
Bring first measure of cream to a boil with invert sugar and glucose.
—Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, 4 Dec. 2018
White Chocolate Chantilly 225g white chocolate 150g cream 15g invert sugar (Trimoline)
15g liquid glucose
400g cream
1.
—Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, 4 Dec. 2018
Check the label for ingredients like brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, trehalose and/or turbinado sugar.
—Rebecca Drudi, baltimoresun.com, 10 Sep. 2017
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Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
Alternatives like glucose syrup (a more refined type of invert sugar favored by pastry chefs) can’t be found at your average grocery store, and the popular sweeteners detailed above won’t prevent crystallization.
—Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 14 Sep. 2023
In some recipes, invert sugar or honey may be added in lieu of corn syrup.
—Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2014
Without getting too in the weeds, the smaller molecules of invert sugar lend it the characteristic texture of a thick liquid that imparts glossy sheen and smoothness.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
Note that granola bars may use other names for sugar, including corn syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, invert sugar, molasses, barley malt extract, fructose, and dextrose.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 3 Sep. 2019
Bring first measure of cream to a boil with invert sugar and glucose.
—Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, 4 Dec. 2018
White Chocolate Chantilly 225g white chocolate 150g cream 15g invert sugar (Trimoline)
15g liquid glucose
400g cream
1.
—Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, 4 Dec. 2018
Check the label for ingredients like brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, trehalose and/or turbinado sugar.
—Rebecca Drudi, baltimoresun.com, 10 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Invert sugar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invert%20sugar. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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