A chum of mine, who knows that I am into all manner of exotic cooking, periodically buys me some culinary device or some obscure ingredient and sends it to me without explanation. This is her way of poking fun, in a friendly way, at my propensity to purchase odd kitchen devices (and show them off with great pride) and odd ingredients (and brag about them unendingly).

In today's mail, a cardboard box arrived containing a sealed plastic bag of what looked like the illegal drugs one sees on television crime shows. Instead of a kilo, it weighs a pound. It has a label which reads "Pärlsocker".

A quick Google of Pärlsocker suggests that (1) it means "pearl sugar" in Swedish and (2) it is sugar. Much beyond that, I do not know.

Before I respond to her with thanks, I'd love to know enough about Pärlsocker to bluff my way into appearing much more knowledgeable than I really am. Help?