Anyone wanting to explore or master sugar art needs to know about the variety of different types of sugar that can be used. Different types of sugar can be used to create different effects. Using numerous sugar varieties makes it possible to use a much wider variety of forms and decorating techniques.

The following are seven types of sugar that are commonly used in sugar art. 

Rock sugar

When rock sugar is produced, heated and liquefied sugar is mixed with a relatively small quantity of icing. Mixing these two ingredients causes the mixture to expand quickly. 

The mixture is put into a dish, and then it is cooled using a blast chiller. The resulting sugar form looks something like pumice. 

Pressed sugar

Pressed sugar is created using granulated sugar that is combined with water. Then, the mixture is compressed so that it hardens. Pressed sugar is commonly used to create a base for a sculpture of sugar art. 

Pulled sugar

Pulled sugar is produced by cooling sugar until it is heated to a liquid form. Then, the liquid sugar is poured out over a mat made from rubber. The sugar can then be colored. Then, the sugar is folded so that air is trapped within it. This creates sugar forms with a distinct shine on their surface.

After this process, pulled sugar can then be sculpted into the shapes the artist desires. 

Blown sugar

Blown sugar is frequently used to create sugar art in complex shapes like in the shape of flowers or animals. Blown sugar is produced by putting heated pulled sugar onto rubber pump tools. Then, the sugar is shaped while it is blown using the pump. 

Afterward, the sugar form needs to be cooled down. This is typically done through the use of cooling fans.

Spun sugar

Sugar artists use spun sugar to create forms composed of thin strands. These forms are convenient for shaping sugar into objects like bird nests. 

Spun sugar is made by taking sugar syrup and using a special tool to flick the sugar over pipe forms. 

Cast sugar

To create cast sugar, liquid sugar needs to be placed within molds. When left in the molds, the sugar will harden into cast sugar. Cast sugar consists of thick and sturdy sugar forms. 

Pastillage

Pastillage is made when a mixture of water, gelatin, and confectioner's sugar is worked into a thick paste. This paste is then put in molds. The mixture will then harden. The resulting pastillage can then be shaped by hand or with tools like sandpaper or grinder tools.