Food · Sweeteners

Zarame-tou (Coarse Crystal Sugar)

ざらめ糖 (Zarame-tou)

Also known as: Zarame-tou, Coarse crystal sugar, ざらめ糖, 中ざら糖, 白ざら糖, Granulated coarse

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameざらめ糖 中ざら糖 / 白ざら糖
Common Japanese notationsざらめ糖, 中ざら糖, 白ざら糖, ザラメ
OriginCoarse crystal sugar in two main forms: naka-zara (medium-grain, slightly amber color from caramelization) and shiro-zara (white-grain, fully refined); principal Japanese producers Mitsui Sugar, DM Sankyo Sugar; large crystal size suited to specific traditional applications
Typical functionsWagashi (Japanese confectionery) — defining for higashi pressed sweets and dorayaki sugar dusting, Karinto (traditional Japanese fried snack) glazing, Coffee/tea premium positioning (visible large crystals)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. JAS sugar classification (車糖 distinct from ざらめ class). Not a designated allergen.

Zarame-tou (ざらめ糖) is coarse crystal sugar in two forms: naka-zara (medium-grain amber from caramelization) and shiro-zara (white-grain fully refined). Defining sugar for wagashi confectionery (higashi, dorayaki dusting) and traditional karinto glazing.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Product applications

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Naka-zara retail (cooking and confectionery)
  • Shiro-zara retail (premium positioning)
  • Industrial supply for confectionery production

What it is

Coarse crystal sugar — naka-zara (medium amber) and shiro-zara (white refined).

Typical uses in Japanese products

Wagashi confectionery (higashi, dorayaki).

Karinto glazing.

Premium coffee/tea visible crystal positioning.

For OEM: industrial confectionery supply, premium retail OEM.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. JAS sugar classification. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUEstablished global crystal sugar market.
USAEstablished US sugar market (different classifications).
ChinaEstablished trade.
KoreaEstablished trade.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ざらめ糖 中ざら糖/白ざら糖

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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