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 trees or palm trees are cut, then the nectar is allowed to flow into the container. Next, the collected sap and nectar are heated until the water in the sap liquid disappears. The result is a coarse brown grain similar tobrown sugar.
Use of Palm Sugar in Daily
In several Asian countries, including Indonesia, palm sugar is widely used as a mixture in the manufacture of sweet and savory foods.
Palm sugar contains up to 70 percent sucrose and sugar invert (a mixture of glucose and fructose) about 10 percent. In addition to this composition, palm sugar also contains protein and a number of minerals, such as phosphorus, copper, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, and manganese, although in small amounts.
From its nutritional content, palm sugar is believed to provide various health benefits, such as:
- Prevents the appearance of anemia.
- Improve digestive health.
- It may be good for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index.
- Boost the immune system.
Palm sugar is also used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages (tuak) in several regions in Indonesia. Whereas in the traditional textile industry, palm sugar is commonly used to dye fabrics naturally.
A Simple Recipe Using Palm Sugar
Here are 2 simple recipes for making snacks from palm sugar:
Palm sugar cheese baked banana
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp margarine
- Coconut oil
- Palm sugar to taste
- Grated cheese
- 1 comb banana kepok
How to make:
- Peel the banana skin, then gently flatten the banana on a cutting board.
- Heat coconut oil and 1 tbsp margarine in a frying pan over low heat. Then add the mashed bananas and cook until golden brown.
- 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 sugar
- 1 egg
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 1 pandan leaf
- 1.5 tbsp wheat flour
- 250 grams of wheat flour
- 0.5 tbsp emulsifier
- 125 ml vegetable oil
How to make:
- Beat eggs using mixer for 5 minutes. Then add 1.5 tablespoons of flour, then beat again until the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Boil palm sugar with 200 ml of coconut milk and pandan leaves.
- Then enter the boiled sugar water and vegetable oil into the mixture. Enter alternately.
- Beat again on low speed and add emulsifier.
- Enter 250 grams of flour into the dough and mix until evenly distributed.
- After that, pour the mixture into the mold and steam for 15 minutes.
The two recipes above are quite easy to make at home, right? Start using palm sugar as a natural sweetener in your cooking and drinks. If you suffer from diabetes, first consult with a nutritionist to find out the amount of palm sugar you can consume.
