Palm Sugar, a Traditional Product that is Rich in Benefits for Everyday Life

Sugar is a natural sweetener that is often used in cooking. One type of sugar that has been used for generations in Indonesia is palm sugar. Palm sugar is usually made from palm tree sap (Palmyra). Because it can also be made from palm tree sap, palm sugar can also be referred to as palm sugar. Palm sugar or palm sugar has a variety of colors, ranging from golden brown to dark brown. To make this sugar, flowers from coconut or palm trees are cut, then the nectar is allowed to flow into the container. Furthermore, the sap and nectar that has been collected is heated until the water in the liquid liquid disappears. The result is coarse brown granules that are similar to brown sugar.

Daily Use of Palm Sugar

In some Asian countries, including Indonesia, palm sugar is widely used as an ingredient in making sweet and savory foods. Palm sugar has a sucrose content of up to 70 percent and invert sugar (a mixture of glucose and fructose) around 10 percent. In addition to these compositions, palm sugar also contains protein and a number of minerals, such as phosphorus, copper, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, and manganese, even in small amounts. From the nutritional content, palm sugar is believed to provide various health benefits for the body, such as:

• Prevents anemia.
• Improve digestive health.
• It might be good for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index.
• Boosts the immune system.

Palm sugar is also used in the manufacture of alcoholic drinks (tuak) in several regions in Indonesia. Whereas in the traditional textile industry, palm sugar is used to dye fabrics naturally.

Simple Recipe Using Palm Sugar

Here are 2 simple recipes for making snacks from palm sugar:

Roasted banana palm sugar cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon margarine
• Coconut oil
• Palm sugar to taste
• Grated cheese
• 1 kepok banana comb

How to make:

1. Peel a banana peel, then gently banana on a cutting board.
2. Heat coconut oil and 1 tablespoon margarine in a pan over low heat. Then add the flaked bananas and cook them until they turn brown.
3. After the banana changes color, remove the banana. Then sprinkle palm sugar and grated cheese on top.

Palm sugar steamed sponge

Ingredients:

• 200 grams of palm sugar
• 50 grams of granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 200 ml coconut milk
• 1 pandan leaf
• 1.5 tablespoons of flour
• 250 grams of flour
• 0.5 tablespoon emulsifier
• 125 ml of vegetable oil

How to make:

1. Beat the eggs using a mixer for 5 minutes. Then add 1.5 tablespoons of flour, then shake again until the ingredients are mixed evenly.
2. Boil palm sugar with 200 ml coconut milk and pandan leaves.
3. Then put the boiled sugar water and vegetable oil into the mixture. Enter alternately.
4. Beat again at low speed and add an emulsifier.
5. Enter 250 grams of flour into the mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
6. After that, pour the mixture into the mold and steam for 15 minutes.

The two recipes above are easy enough to make at home, right? Start to use palm sugar as a natural sweetener in your cooking and drinks. If you suffer from diabetes, consult your nutritionist first to find out the amount of palm sugar you may consume.