Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of the flower bud stem of the coconut palm tree. It is also known as coconut palm sugar, coco sap sugar, or coconut blossom sugar. Coconut sugar is subtly sweet, almost like brown sugar, but with a slight hint of caramel. The flavor and sweetness are usually similar to table sugar or brown sugar, but since coconut sugar is not highly processed, the color, sweetness, and flavor can vary depending on the coconut species used, season when it was harvested, where it was harvested, and/or the way the "sap" or "toddy" was reduced.
Coconut sugar is widely used in Sri Lanka as an unrefined syrup or as jaggery, referred to as pol hakuru(පොල් හකුරු), though the jaggery made from the Kithul palm is preferred. In Indonesian cuisine, coconut sugar is called gula jawa (Javanese sugar) or gula merah (red sugar), while gula aren refers to palm sugar specifically made from aren palm. Some Indonesian foodstuffs are made with coconut sugar, including kecap manis (a sweet soya sauce) and dendeng (a meat preparation) .
Coconut sugar contains small amounts of minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, including iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, and the soluble fiber inulin, which is linked to a lower risk of blood sugar spikes. However, its high sugar content outweighs any potential benefits, and it is still high in calories, just like regular sugar. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, meaning it may not increase blood sugar levels as much as regular table sugar does. However, it is not a miracle food, and its nutritive value is similar to the empty calories found in table sugar or brown sugar.
In summary, coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that is subtly sweet, almost like brown sugar, but with a slight hint of caramel. It contains small amounts of minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, but its high sugar content outweighs any potential benefits. Coconut sugar is not a miracle food, and its nutritive value is similar to the empty calories found in table sugar or brown sugar.
