coconut sugar

Sugar obtained from coconutcalled coconut sugar. It is one of the types of palm sugar, which is especially often mined in Sri Lanka, India, the Moluccas and the Maldives. In a year, one palm tree produces approximately 250 kg of juice, which contains approximately 20 percent sucrose.

Coconut sugar is sold in different forms:

• in the form of granules
• in the form of pressed bars,
• in the form of a thick paste similar to honey.

The benefits of coconut sugar are:

• the content of potassium, magnesium, other minerals and a large amount of vitamins (especially group B);
• lower glycemic index;
• pleasant caramel taste;
• the product is completely natural.

• Coconut sugar undergoes significantly less processing than regular sugar upon receipt.
• The cost of this type of sugar is higher than usual.
• The caramel flavor makes this sugar an excellent baking ingredient. Coconut sugar can be substituted for regular sugar in any recipe, taking it in the same amount.
• The largest supplier of coconut sugar are Indonesia and the Philippines, because in these countries a large number of coconut trees grow.
• About 79% of the composition of coconut sugar is represented by sucrose. Other carbohydrates in its composition are glucose and fructose.
• The calorie and nutritional value of coconut sugar is the same as that of white sugar - a teaspoon contains 4 g of carbohydrates and 16 kcal.

Coconut palm sugar has a delicate aroma and a delicate sweet taste.The product has a similarity to brown sugar, and there is also a slight caramel flavor.

Since coconut sugar does not require a high degree of processing, various factors affect the sweetness, smell and color of the final product:

• type of coconut palm;
• gathering season;
• place for collecting juice;
• way of obtaining juice, etc.

As a result, the characteristics vary even in different packages of sugar.

By color, coconut sugar can be represented by different shades of yellow, orange and brown - sandy, light yellow, pale brown and others.

• The beneficial properties of sugar from coconut palms are due to its gentle processing.
• Since the glycemic index of this type of sugar is considered low (it is 35, while white sugar has 60-65), the product is more useful for people who control blood glucose and insulin levels.
• Coconut. sugar is an excellent source of minerals. It contains iron (twice as much as in brown), zinc (10 times more), magnesium (4 times more), potassium (almost 25% of the daily value in 100 g).
• The product is also rich in vitamins, in particular, group B. Such sugar contains a high content of inositol, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
• From coconut juice, amino acids get into sugar, among which glutamine is called especially valuable. This amino acid contributes to the rapid healing of injuries, has a positive effect on immunity, and accelerates the recovery of the body after exercise.

Since coconut sugar has the same nutritional value as white sugar, it should not be consumed in significant amounts.The result of excess coconut sugar in the diet will be extra weight, increased blood triglyceride levels, and reduced levels of "good" cholesterol. So, despite the obvious benefits of such sugar, overweight people are not advised to add it in large quantities to their diet.

The coconut palm is cut, containers are hung where the juice flows. The resulting juice is evaporated and as a result, coconut sugar is obtained - first it is heated in the sun or fire, after which it is cooled in the shade, where its crystallization begins.

For those who know English well and those who want to see the process of making coconut sugar, we advise you to watch the following video.

Features of the use of sugar from coconuts:

• The product can be used in the same way as the usual beet sugar.
• Drinks in which coconut sugar is added have a more pronounced taste and pleasant aroma. They provide a significant boost of energy. Drinking such a drink in the morning, you will quickly drive away sleep, and when consumed in the evening, this drink will help get rid of fatigue.
• Coconut sugar is added to desserts, pastries, and other dishes to give a pleasant caramel note.

For custard coconut cream, take:

• 4 yolks;
• 40 g flour;
• 40 g of powdered sugar;
• 400 ml unsweetened coconut. milk;
• 40 g coconut sugar

Mix the yolks, powder and flour, pour in, stirring vigorously, the coconut brought to a boil into this mixture. milk to which coconut sugar has been added. Put on a small fire and cook until thick, then cool.

To make coconut cookies you need:

• 100 g coconut. oils;
• 100 g coconut. Sahara;
• 100 g coconut. flour;
• 30 g coconut. shavings;
• 0.25 teaspoons spoons of salt;
• 5 g baking powder

Combine sugar and butter, put on a small fire and stir to get a homogeneous mixture. Add flour, salt and baking powder. Mix the dough well, mold the cookies using a teaspoon - you should get slightly flattened balls with a diameter of about 3 cm. Roll them in coconut. shavings, bake for about twenty minutes.

Coconut sugar scrub perfectly cleanses the skin and also softens it. By making such a scrub from coconut sugar, you will get a remedy from natural ingredients, after which you do not need to use a cream, balm or lotion. Sugar is called a good base for making a scrub, because it has a rough surface and a large number of facets. Coconut sugar granules are hard and fairly large at first, but when applied to the skin they quickly smooth out, resulting in a safe and gentle cleansing of the skin. If there are cuts, small wounds or cracks on the skin, there will be no discomfort from using a sugar scrub, as, for example, when using salt scrubs.

Coconut sugar to create a scrub is mixed with different ingredients:

• The simplest recipe is for 4 table. add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar. tablespoons of vegetable oil. The oil in this recipe can be olive, almond, coconut, sea buckthorn, jojoba, and any other.
• Cocoa can be added to a mixture of sugar and vegetable oil, then you get a chocolate scrub.
• To create a Vanilla Coconut Scrub, mix a scoop of coconut oil with two scoops of sugar, adding 5-10 drops of vanilla essential oil.
• In the scrub, you can add not only various aroma oils (lemon, ylang-ylang, lavender, jasmine and others), but also herbs or spices. For example, you can add nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla powder to a sugar scrub.
• You can add oatmeal and honey to sugar and butter.

1. You need to store the finished scrub in a container that closes tightly or prepare a portion of the scrub right before use.
2. Use the scrub twice or thrice a week. One or two tablespoons of the product is enough for one application.
3. Scrub is applied to a wet body.
4. Both apply and rub the scrub over the body in a circular motion.
5. At the end of the procedure, you do not need to use soap or shower gel. Just blot the skin and dry it in the air.

The taste properties of this type of sugar make it possible to add it to tea, coffee, pastries and other foods, as a substitute for white sugar.

With this replacement, blood glucose levels will both rise and fall more gradually. This is especially important for people with type 2 diabetes, who must always keep their blood sugar under control.

However, for weight loss, this will also be a good help, because after, say, tea with coconut sugar, there will not be an acute feeling of hunger, as after the same drink, but with white sugar.

Note that natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup also have a high glycemic index (about 70), which makes coconut sugar more preferable than these sweet additives.

The shelf life of the product is 2 years.

When storing packages of coconut sugar and an open product, it is important to monitor air humidity and temperature.

If such sugar is left in conditions where temperature changes are possible, and humidity is increased, this will lead to moisture and clumping of the product.