Sugar, in the most widespread use of the word, is called sucrose, whose chemical formula is C12H22O11, also called "common sugar" or "table sugar." Sucrose is a disaccharide formed by one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule, which is obtained mainly from sugar cane or beets. 27% of total world production is made from beets and 73% from sugar cane. In Thailand they also usually make coconut sugar.

Sucrose is found in all plants, and in appreciable quantities in plants other than sugar cane or beets, such as sorghum, coconut, and sugar maple.

In industrial settings, the word sugar or sugars is used to designate the different monosaccharides and disaccharides, which generally have a sweet taste, although by extension it refers to all carbohydrates.

Coconut sugar is a product derived from extracting the sap from the coconut flower and heating it so that most of the water evaporates. This procedure ensures that part of the flower's nutrients are retained and a sweetener is obtained that can have a crystalline texture similar to that of brown sugar, with a light color and toasted aroma.

It melts at 160 °C and when heated to 210 °C it transforms into a brown mass called caramel, used in the preparation of sweets and cakes, as well as for flavoring and coloring liquids.

If it is heated above 145 °C in the presence of amino compounds (NH2), derived for example from proteins, the complex Maillard reaction system takes place, generating generally appetizing colors, odors and flavors, and also small quantities of compounds. undesirable.

Sugar is an important source of calories in the modern diet, but it is often associated with empty calories, due to the complete absence of vitamins, minerals and salts.

In industrialized foods the percentage of sugar can reach 80%. The World Health Organization recommends that sugar should not exceed 10% of daily calories consumed. Scientific research and medical practice have associated excess sugar consumption with the following effects on human health, such as: High blood pressure, osteoporosis, hyperactivity, vitamin deficiency, obesity, cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's, cavities, among others.