Refractometer

A refractometer measures the refractive index of a substance (the rate at which light bends and passes through a liquid or clear solid, indicating the concentration of a substance in that liquid). In cooking, it is mainly used to determine the concentration of sugar, known as the Brix level, of fruit purees, juices, honey, wine, and other ingredients. This allows the chef to determine the sweetness of a product and then make appropriate adjustments to his or her formula. Handheld and digital handheld refractometers are the most commonly used in the kitchen.