Coconut palm Sugar, sweetener for Asian sweet and savory dishes from Indonesia
Coconut palm sugar, Coconut blossom sugar
Coconut palm sugar or coconut blossom sugar is the latest favorite among sweeteners and is a much healthier alternative to conventional household sugar or other sweeteners. It can, therefore, be used by those who suffer from metabolic problems, obesity, or other health problems. Of course, coconut sugar can be used in the hobby kitchen and give the dishes an exotic touch. But what is special about this sugar, how is it obtained, and does the sugar alternative keep what it promises?
Cultivation and extraction
Coconut blossom sugar is extracted from the coconut palm's flower buds, especially from its nectar. This coconut nectar is collected with the help of a container and later processed by boiling or steaming. It produces the classic coconut blossom sugar crystals, which are available in retail stores. Coconut sugar is a very sustainable product as a coconut palm can produce nectar for up to 70 years. Also, the cultivation of coconut palms usually does not require pesticides or artificial fertilizers. It also saves the environment. Small farmers let nature run wild and use natural fertilizers, such as rotting palm fronds or coconut shells.
Taste and use Coconut palm sugar
Unlike the name suggests, coconut sugar does not taste like coconut flakes. It has a slight caramel, sharp taste, and can be used comparatively like brown sugar. When buying, look exactly and make sure it is pure coconut sugar. Many manufacturers stretch their products with other sugars. When baking sweet treats, cakes, and biscuits or refining desserts, coconut sugar is a true all-rounder. Don't forget our high-quality spices such as ground ceylon cinnamon, green cardamom and vanilla beans. Simultaneously, the positive effect on health is another reason to replace conventional sugar and sweeteners with it.
Sustainability and environmental friendliness
Nevertheless, coconut plantations, in terms of sustainability, always offer cause for discussion. Often only a few manufacturers produce truly ecologically and sustainably. Coconut plantations should not stand on the ground of a former rainforest. Besides, the coconut palms for the production of coconut sugar should not be cut. It will spare the soil and reduce the need for space. When buying coconut products, pay attention to the real sustainability of the manufacturers.
Low glycemic index
Coconut blossom sugar is best known for its low glycemic index. It is a value that indicates how much a food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with a low glycemic index promote the body's well-being as they cause blood sugar levels to rise evenly and slowly. In contrast, foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar to proliferate. However, this also drops all the faster and promotes the next feeling of hunger, better known as a craving attack.
Highly glycemic foods include, for example, household sugar and isolated carbohydrates in white flour and co. These extreme blood sugar fluctuations are enormous stress for the pancreas, which uses the hormone insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. However, high glycemic foods' frequent consumption also overloads the body cells, making them increasingly poorly absorb ingested insulin. The consequences are type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypoglycemia.
Coconut sugar offers a healthier alternative to household sugar, as it slowly raises blood sugar levels. The body remains saturated for longer and is not burdened by blood sugar fluctuations. For this reason, coconut sugar is also suitable for people with diabetes.
Nutrient-rich and healthy
In addition to the positive effects on blood sugar levels, coconut sugar and other health can promote health. It contains, for example, a lot of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, boron, copper, and sulfur. These mineral and trace elements are an essential part of our daily diet and should always be taken in the optimal ratio. Coconut sugar, therefore, offers a very healthy alternative to conventional sugar and sweeteners, which usually have few nutrients.
