Okinawa brown sugar (kokuto) is an artisanally produced sugar made from in Okinawa using local sugar cane. This sugar is square-cut (kakugiri) and has a completely different taste than ordinary brown sugar due to the difference in processing and mineral content. Common brown sugar is refined white sugar with molasses added to give it color and taste. Okinawa brown sugar is made by slowly cooking pure sugarcane juice without any additives to yield a superior product that is full of nuance and flavor. Okinawa brown sugar is an essential ingredient of kuromitsu (black sugar syrup).