Palm sugar
/palm jaggery
refers to sugars from various palm trees:
Palmyra palm ,Date palm ,Nipa palm, Sugar (arenga) palm, Coconut palm
The palmyra palm (Borassus genus) is cultivated in Africa, Asia and New Guinea. The tree has many uses, such as for thatching, hats, writing material, timber and several food products. Palm sugar is produced from the sap (called ‘toddy’) of the flowers of the tree.
The date palm has two species, both of which are used for the production of palm sugar (Phoenix dactylifera and Phoenix sylvestris). P. dactylifera is common in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, while P. sylvestris is native to Asia and cultivated mainly in Pakistan and India. Date palms are cultivated mainly for dates. The palm sugar is made from the tree’s sap.
The nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) is native to the coastlines and tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the only palm tree that grows partially in water (mangrove biome); only its leaves and flowers grow above-water. This palm produces a sugar-rich sap that is used to produce palm sugar.
The sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) is native to the coastal and tropical regions of Asia and is cultivated mainly in China and Indonesia. The sap used to produce palm sugar is known in India as ‘gur’ and in Indonesia as ‘gula aren’.
Coconut palm sugar (Cocos nucifera) is produced from the sap of the flowers of the tree. The coconut palm grows in coastal areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Major suppliers are Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Coconut sugar comes in crystal or granule form, block or liquid.
Alternatively, the cakes or bricks can be further processed into granulated sugar. Although palm cakes sell well in local markets, European buyers are more interested in granulated sugar.
The health benefit of palm sugar, compared to conventional sugar, is its low glycemic index (GI). Conventional sugar with a high GI has been related to many health disorders, for example obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Research has shown that foods low in GI can help to prevent diabetes. A low GI indicates that it takes longer to process the sugar and that it results in a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
Palm sugar tastes most similar to refined sugar when it has a relatively high sucrose content (70-80%) and low mineral content (3-4%). The exact level of sucrose can differ per batch of palm sugar, even for the same type.
The glycemic index (GI) of coconut sugar was reported by the Philippine Coconut Authority to be 35 and by that measure is classified as a low glycemic index food. However, another source measured the GI of coconut sugar to be 54.
Major carbohydrates were sucrose (37.8%), glucose (9.50%) and fructose (4.80%), respectively. The presence of arabinose could not be confirmed. Niacin was the water-soluble vitamin with the highest concentration with an average content of 0.003%. Fat content was found to be under 0.20%. Potassium was the mineral with highest contents (0.45%). *see research link /22732982
Despite the low GI, many consumers do not see palm sugar as very healthy. Consumer concerns about the healthiness of sweeteners relate primarily to the level of calories, and this level is high in palm sugar.”
The downside is its not very sustainable if lots of acres of forest wood are cut down to be replaced for palm trees to foresee in the demand of palm sugar.
Palm sugar is weirdly enough not much researched.
Anti-inflammatory properties *the sap of the flowers *see research link 28627266
Reduces hyperglycemia * see research link 23870470
Research on Palm sugar:














