About sugar

Sugar beet harvester

Sweetness from nature

Sugar is obtained from sugar beet in our latitudes. With its clear, pure sweetness, it is one of the most versatile ingredients in our kitchens. Sugar is also a completely natural way to ensure that your bread is fluffier, your ice cream is softer and your jam stays fresh for longer.

Sugar beet plant

Cultivation and Production

Sugar beets are used efficiently: the water in the beets is recycled during sugar extraction, and the leftovers are used as animal feed or for biogas. Our Fairtrade-certified cane sugar products come from South America and Africa, where there is a focus on good working conditions and local partnerships.

Brioche cakes

More than just sweetness

Sweet as sugar is a common expression, and sugar certainly adds sweetness. But in addition to its pure, clear sweetness, sugar also has a number of other natural qualities that are an advantage in the kitchen.

Table with pancakes, pies, cake and coffee

Siúcra and McKinney’s world

Siúcra and McKinney’s are the brands for people who love home cooking, home baking and home-made products. As well as classic products such as granulated sugar and icing sugar, we offer smart specialist products such as Jam Sugar, as well as fantastic flavour enhancers like Demerara Brown Sugar and Rich Dark Sugar.

Historic sugar factory

Sugar through the age

Sweetness is something humans have always sought out. Cave paintings from 15,000 years ago show people collecting wild honey. The production of sugar from sugar cane also has a long history, but it wasn't until the 19th century that we started extracting sugar from sugar beet.

Candied fruit peel, syrup nuts and pannacotta rice pudding

Functional properties of sugar

Sugar now comes in many varieties and can be used in many food products. Sugar has a range of unique properties that, either individually or in combination, make it an important ingredient in the modern Kitchen.