Palm Sugar

What Is Palm Sugar?

Palm sugar is a sugar obtained by boiling down and solidifying the sap collected from the flower stalks of various palm trees (for example the coconut palm or sugar palm). It is usually sold in blocks, discs, or a soft paste.

Its colour ranges from light yellow to dark brown; its taste is more caramel-like, mildly smoky, and deeper than refined white sugar. It is a common sweetener in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines.

Nutritional Values of Palm Sugar

Since palm sugar is essentially a sugar, it provides roughly 380 kcal of energy per 100 g, predominantly carbohydrate. Even though its unprocessed form carries trace minerals, this doesn't make it a “healthy sugar”; like any sugar it should be consumed in moderation.

How Should Palm Sugar Be Used?

Since palm sugar is a type of sugar, it should be consumed in moderation; it is used for its caramel-like taste to add depth to desserts and sauces. Like other sugars, it should be counted toward total sugar intake.

This information is general; palm sugar is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Palm Sugar?

Good palm sugar has a natural colour, a pleasant caramel smell, and a plain (unadulterated or lightly additive) composition. Products that have become overly hard-dried or moist and sticky, or smell sour, are not preferred.

• The colour should be natural and the smell pleasantly caramel-like
• The composition should be plain (few additives)
• Sour-smelling, spoiled products should not be chosen

How to Store Palm Sugar?

Palm sugar is stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. It can absorb moisture and harden or soften; a hardened block is used by grating it or melting it in slightly warm liquid.

Using Palm Sugar in the Kitchen

Palm sugar is used in Southeast Asian desserts, caramel and syrups, curries, sweet-sour sauces, and drinks. Its caramel-like taste adds balance and depth to both sweet and savoury dishes; it is added grated or melted.

Is Palm Sugar Used in Place of Refined Sugar?

Yes; it is used in place of refined sugar in many recipes and gives a caramel-like taste. However, since it is still a sugar, it should be measured similarly in amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is palm sugar healthier than refined sugar?

Even though it contains trace minerals, it is ultimately a sugar and its calories are close to refined sugar's; it shouldn't be used liberally as “healthier” — it needs to be consumed in moderation.

Are palm sugar and coconut sugar the same?

Coconut sugar is a type of palm sugar, made from the sap of the coconut palm. “Palm sugar” in general can also be obtained from other palm species.

How is palm sugar melted?

Hardened palm sugar is grated or stirred into a small amount of hot water or sauce to melt; this way it mixes easily into a dish.