Sugar sand

Sugar sand, found in some areas of the Eastern United States, is a fine silt made up of ultrafine mineral sand mixed with a large percentage of organic granules. Because of its lightness it can easily form quicksand in hollows. In New Jersey, quicksand is often referred to as "sugar sand." Even when dry, sugar sand tends to be too light to support motor vehicles. The name "Sugar Sand" is a common New Jersey expression, and is used by local shops, bands and cultural events. It is also a common name for soil in Florida and the Cape Fear region of North Carolina. The term is also used to describe the sand on beaches in southwestern Michigan, which resembles grains of commercial sugar in size and purity.

The term "sugar sand" also refers to the debris that settles in the bottom of sap once it has reached a density of 66-67% sugar content. It must be filtered out to complete the maple sugaring process.

Sugar sand mud is used by Major League Baseball as an abrasive to condition new baseballs. It dulls the shiny, slick surface and softens the leather. Sugar sand mud is rubbed into new balls by hand before they are used in play.