AKA: table sugar, white sugar or regular sugar
made either of beet sugar or cane sugar, a highly refined, multi-purpose sugar
Caster Sugar
a superfine granulated white sugar, dissolve much quicker than standard granulated white sugar. Ideal for making meringues, syrups, and cocktails
Icing Sugar
AKA: powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar
a type of white sugar that has been ground into a fine powder. Often with a small amount of corn-starch to prevent clumping. Dissolves easily in liquid. Ideal for icing, frosting and decoration.
Pearl Sugar
AKA: nib sugar or hail sugar
a coarse, hard texture with an opaque colour. Doesn’t melt when exposed to high temperatures. Commonly used in Scandinavian baking to decorate pastries, cookies, and buns.
Lump Sugar
AKA: square sugar, lump square sugar
a refined sugar which has been pressed or cast into a particular shape.
Rock Sugar
AKA: sugar candy, rock sugar or crystal sugar
large sugar crystals. Eaten as candy or to dissolve in tea. Can be different colours.
Red Sanding Sugar
Sanding sugar is used mainly for decorating. Large crystals, fairly resistant to heat, adds extra texture. You can find sanding sugar in many colours.
Light Brown Sugar
refined white sugar with a small amount of molasses added. A wet, sandy texture and a delicate caramel flavour. Used for baked goods and savoury dishes.
Dark Brown Sugar
refined white sugar with more molasses added in. A stronger, more intense flavour. Light and dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably.
Golden Syrup
Golden syrup (or light treacle) is a form of inverted sugar syrup. It is made by the process of refining sugar cane or sugar beet juice into sugar, or by treatment of a sugar solution with acid. The consistency is similar to honey, and can be used as a substitute for honey.
More on syrup and molasses here.