Can Brown Sugar Be Used for Humoring Food?
Brown sugar can be used to make hummingbird nectar, but it’s not the best option. Refined white sugar is generally recommended by experts since it dissolves easily in water. Brown sugar contains molasses which gives it a rich, dark color but can also make the nectar thick and difficult for hummingbirds to consume. Here’s a quick overview of using brown sugar in hummingbird food:
- Brown sugar will work in a pinch – If you don’t have plain white sugar, using some brown sugar can help attract hummingbirds. But it should not be the main ingredient.
- Use a ratio of 1 part brown sugar to 4 parts water – Don’t make the nectar too thick and sticky by using too much brown sugar. Follow general guidelines of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
- Mix it very well – Stir continuously so the brown sugar fully dissolves. Undissolved granules could clog their tiny throats.
- Don’t use dark brown sugar – Light or golden brown sugar is a better choice than very dark varieties like turbinado or Demerara sugar. The darker the sugar, the more molasses it contains.
- Change it frequently – Brown sugar nectar ferments faster than white sugar nectar. Change feeders every 2-3 days in warm weather.
The molasses in brown sugar gives it a strong, appealing aroma to humans. But hummingbirds don’t rely much on smell to find nectar sources. They can’t taste sugars well either. Their main motivation is the energy boost they get from the sucrose in the nectar.
White refined sugar has a higher concentration of sucrose than brown sugar. So plain granulated sugar makes the optimal hummingbird food.
Reasons White Sugar is Recommended
Here are some key reasons why plain white sugar is the best choice for hummingbird nectar:
Higher Sucrose Content
During the refining process, molasses and other impurities are removed from cane or beet sugar. What’s left behind is sucrose in its purest form. Typical white granulated sugar contains around 99.9% sucrose. This high concentration provides the quick energy hummingbirds need.
Brown sugar has a sucrose content between 88-97%, depending on whether it is light or dark brown sugar. The remaining 3-12% is mostly molasses as well as moisture. The lower sucrose concentration means less efficient energy per lick for hummingbirds.
Dissolves Fully in Water
One of the biggest problems with using brown sugar in hummingbird feeders is getting it to properly dissolve. The molasses makes brown sugar more dense and viscous. Even if you boil the nectar mixture, some of the brown sugar may remain undissolved.
When sugar crystals are left floating in the nectar, it can irritate and harm the hummingbird’s throat. In severe cases, it may even block their trachea and cause death. This is why completely dissolving the sugar is so crucial.
Granulated white sugar easily breaks down into a thin watery solution that hummingbirds can lick up without issue. It won’t leave any grainy residue that could clog feeders too.
Doesn’t Spoil as Fast
The microorganisms that cause nectar fermentation have an easier time breaking down and consuming brown sugar. The molasses contains proteins, minerals, and vitamins that nourish yeasts and bacteria. So brown sugar nectar often ferments faster than white sugar nectar.
In hot weather, nectar made from brown sugar may need to be changed every 2 days before dangerous levels of fungi and other microbes grow. This creates a lot more work than using white sugar which lasts 3-5 days in clean feeders.
No Color Change Over Time
The dark molasses in brown sugar can give freshly made nectar a rich golden hue. But that color fades the longer the solution sits in sunlight. The breakdown of sugars causes the color to lighten over time.
Hummingbirds use the bright red on feeders as a visual cue to find nectar. If the brown sugar solution turns too light, they may not recognize it as a food source. White sugar provides consistently clear nectar that won’t change color as it ages.
Minimal Residue Buildup
As sucrose is consumed by microorganisms in aging nectar, it gets replaced by organic residues like acids and alcohols. These cling to plastic and glass feeders in the form of whitish or brownish stains.
The molasses in brown sugar provides a whole menu of nutrients to feed microbe growth. This likely results in even more residue left behind compared to plain white sugar. Keeping feeders crystal clear requires rinsing with very hot water.
How to Safely Use Brown Sugar
Despite the drawbacks, you can use brown sugar to make homemade nectar for hummingbirds in an emergency or if that’s the only sugar you have on hand. Here are some tips for using it safely:
- Select light brown sugar and stay away from dark varieties like turbinado or Demerara sugar. The less molasses it contains, the better.
- Use roughly a 1:4 ratio of 1 part brown sugar to 4 parts hot water. Boil the water first to assist dissolving.
- Stir continuously until all the granules fully melt. Let cool before filling feeders.
- Discard and make a fresh batch every 2-3 days since fermentation is rapid.
- Rinse feeders well with hot water as residue builds up faster.
- Switch back to white sugar as soon as possible for the healthiest nectar.
Brown sugar can work in moderation for short-term feeding. But it isn’t ideal for attracting large numbers of hummingbirds over long periods. Sticking with plain white granulated sugar is the best way to provide the birds with the safe, nutritious nectar they need.
FAQs About Brown Sugar in Hummingbird Nectar
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using brown sugar to make hummingbird food:
Is brown sugar OK for hummingbirds?
Brown sugar is OK for hummingbirds in small amounts for temporary use. But it should not be the main ingredient for making nectar. Plain white table sugar is far better suited and recommended instead.
What’s wrong with brown sugar in hummingbird feeders?
The molasses in brown sugar can leave an undissolved residue, doesn’t provide as efficient energy, causes faster mold growth, and makes nectar darken over time. White sugar avoids these issues.
Can you use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Brown sugar can work as a substitute for white sugar in a pinch. But it should only be a very small amount mixed with mostly white sugar. Using all brown sugar can harm hummingbirds.
Is brown sugar healthier for hummingbirds?
No, brown sugar is not healthier for hummingbirds compared to white sugar. The vitamins and minerals in molasses provide no benefit. White sugar dissolves better and offers more sucrose energy.
What kind of brown sugar is best for hummingbirds?
Light brown sugar or golden brown sugar is a better choice than dark brown sugar like turbinado or Demerara. The less molasses content, the better it will dissolve.
Does brown sugar go bad faster in hummingbird feeders?
Yes, brown sugar nectar often ferments faster than white sugar nectar. The molasses feeds microbial growth causing quicker spoilage. So change it every 2-3 days.
Should you boil brown sugar hummingbird nectar?
Boiling the mixture helps the brown sugar dissolve better. But it still may leave granules that could clog feeders. It’s best to avoid brown sugar altogether.
Does brown sugar stain hummingbird feeders?
Like white sugar, brown sugar residue will leave cloudy stains on plastic and glass feeders over time. But brown sugar stains may be darker and build up faster.
The Best Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Here is an easy recipe for making the best and safest homemade nectar for hummingbirds using plain white sugar:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 4 cups water
- A few drops of clear, odorless electrolytes (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup white sugar until fully dissolved.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Add electrolytes if desired.
- Pour into clean feeders and store any extra in the refrigerator.
- Change nectar every 3-5 days to limit microbial growth.
This basic 1:4 ratio of sugar to water is easy to remember. And it provides the safest homemade hummingbird food using pantry staple ingredients. No need to mess with brown sugar that can cause problems.
Conclusion
Brown sugar contains molasses that makes it difficult to dissolve fully in water and more prone to rapid spoilage. While it can work in small amounts if white sugar isn’t available, plain granulated sugar is a much better choice. For healthy, happy hummingbirds, stick to mixing white sugar with water at a 1:4 ratio. Then change it out regularly to ensure freshness. Avoiding brown sugar reduces risks and hassle while attracting more of these special pollinators.
