Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of white sugar that has been ground into very fine granules, finer than regular granulated sugar but not as fine as powdered (confectioners') sugar. It is named for the castor, a small container with a perforated top (like a large shaker) from which it was traditionally sprinkled.

Usage

• Castor sugar is used primarily in baking and dessert-making, especially in British and Commonwealth English. Its fine texture allows it to dissolve quickly, making it ideal for meringues, cakes, custards, and sweetening fresh fruit or beverages.
• In American English, a very similar product is commonly called superfine sugar or baker's sugar.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To cream with castor sugar": A common baking instruction where butter and castor sugar are beaten together until light and fluffy to incorporate air into a cake batter.
  • First, cream the butter and castor sugar together for at least five minutes.

Variants and Related Words

• Superfine sugar (n): The direct American English equivalent of castor sugar.
• Baker's sugar (n): Another term, particularly in the US, for very fine granulated sugar.
• Granulated sugar (n): Standard white sugar with larger crystals than castor sugar.
• Icing sugar / Confectioners' sugar / Powdered sugar (n): Sugar ground into a fine powder and mixed with a small amount of cornstarch. It is much finer than castor sugar and is used for icings and dusting.

Synonyms

• Superfine sugar
• Baker's sugar
• Fine granulated sugar

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "castor" in this context refers specifically to the shaker (castor) and is not related to other meanings of "castor" (e.g., castor oil, castor wheels). The sugar is named for the container from which it was dispensed.

Noun

1. very finely granulated sugar that was formerly sprinkled from a castor