Test Your Sugar IQ | The Sugar Association

Test Your Sugar IQ

April 2018

We all know sugar is sweet—but there’s much more to the story. Did you know that it has lots of functional purposes in foods and recipes beyond simply adding sweetness?

Which sweeteners are natural?
- Table sugar
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Turbinado sugar
- All of the above
All these products are natural. Sugar (sucrose) is found naturally in almost all fruits and vegetables.
Which three U.S. states produce sugar cane?
- California, Florida and Mississippi
- California, Hawaii and Texas
- Florida, Louisiana and Texas
- Hawaii, Louisiana and Mississippi
- None of the above
Sugar cane is a tropical grass that contains 12–14% sucrose, and it grows in the U.S. states of Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The process of separating sugar from the sugar cane plant begins at sugar mills and then continues at sugar refineries.
How many U.S. states have sugar beet farms?
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
Sugar beets contain 16–18% sucrose and flourish in temperate climates, including U.S. farms in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Sugar beets are processed at factories near these farms.
Which of the following does sugar contain?
- Fat
- Protein
- Sodium
- All of the above
- None of the above
Sugar (sucrose) is a pure carbohydrate and has no fat, protein or sodium.
Which type of white sugar contains cornstarch?
- Fruit sugar
- Baker's special sugar
- Confectioners' sugar
Confectioners’ sugar, also known as powdered sugar, contains 3% cornstarch. It is also made from granulated sugar that has been ground to a smooth powder and sifted.
Brown sugar contains molasses.
- True
- False
A coating of molasses syrup gives brown sugars natural flavor and color.
How many calories are in a teaspoon of sugar?
- 15
- 30
- 45
- 60
There are only 15 calories per teaspoon (the average amount in one packet) of sugar. You can burn that many calories by taking an eight-minute shower or sleeping for 13 minutes.
All sugar-free products are low in calories.
- True
- False
Sugar-free does not mean calorie free, particularly in products that contain fat. Sugar-free products that are not calorie reduced carry a label advisory, such as “not a reduced-calorie food.”
Which of the foods below contain sugars?
- Milk
- Sweet peas
- Bananas
- All of the above
- None of the above
All fruits, vegetables and dairy products contain sugar.
Does sugar spoil?
- Yes
- No
Granulated sugar will last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Community Profiles

Ron Estes, Greenville, NC

October 2025

For Ron Estes of Greenville, NC, driving a truck during the sugar beet harvest in the Red River Valley is more than just a job. It is a beloved tradition that he looks forward to every fall.

Real Sugar: An Important Part of Meat Preservation

September 2025

Sugar plays a key role in meat curing by aiding in preservation and enhancing the flavor of the long-lasting finished product.

Classic Apple Crisp

September 2025

You can’t go wrong with this classic apple crisp, a seasonal favorite!

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