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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

invert sugar

noun

: a mixture of D-glucose and D-fructose that is sweeter than sucrose, that occurs naturally in fruits and honey, that is usually made commercially from a solution of cane sugar by hydrolysis (as with acid), and that is used chiefly as a difficultly crystallizable syrup in foods and in medicine