Coconut sugar
Encyclopedia
Coconut sugar is a sugar
produced from the sap of cut flower buds of coconuts
. Coconut sugar has been used as a traditional sweetener for thousands of years in the South and SouthEast Asian regions where the coconut tree is in abundant supply. The world's largest producer of coconut is the Philippines
.
It is also called Palm sugar
, coco sugar, coconut palm sugar or coco sap sugar. The terms coconut sugar and palm sugar are even used interchangeably in some areas but coconut sugar is different from palm sugar. Palm sugar comes from the Palmyra tree and coconut sugar comes from coconut palm.
and the sap starts to flow from the cut. The sap is then collected in bamboo containers. The sap collected is then transferred into giant woks and placed over moderate heat to evaporate the moisture content of the sap. The sap is translucent and is about 80% water. As the water evaporates, it starts to transform into a thick syrup-like substance known as a "toddy". From this form, it is further reduced to crystal, block or soft paste form, or it remains in this form. Essentially, coconut sugar's form depends on the moisture content of the toddy.
of coconut sugar is 35 and is classified as a low glycemic index food. It is considered to be a healthier than traditional white sugar and brown sugar
. It can be used as a 1:1 sugar substitute for coffee, tea, baking and cooking.
Coconut sugar has high mineral content, a rich source of potassium
, magnesium
, zinc
and iron
. In addition to this it contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6
. When compared to brown sugar, Coconut Sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and over 10 times the amount of zinc.
The coconut sap which coconut sugar is derived from contains 16 amino acids. The amino acid which has the highest content in coconut sap is Glutamine
. Glutamine lutamine has been studied extensively over the past 10–15 years and has been shown to be useful in the treatment of serious illnesses, injury, trauma, burns, and treatment-related-side-effects of cancer as well as in wound healing for post-operative patients. It is known to reduce healing time after operations. It is essential in states of illness or injury even requiring intake
Coconut Sugar is also rich in Vitamins. Inositol
has the highest amount of all the vitamins found in the coconut sap. Among the reported benefits of inositol in clinical settings are a reduction in the need for pain medication when patients are given inositol, a reduction of edema in treatment of scald burns, and in relieving the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Because of its beneficial effects on the central nervous system and its role in the development of healthy cells, Inositol is recommended as a treatment for anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorders. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that inositol may be useful in treating other mood disorders and neuro-psychological disorders.
The Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute released the following information about their analysis of nutritive values found in coconut sugar:
{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Macro-nutrients (mg / l – ppm, dry)
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Coconut Sugar
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Brown Sugar
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Refined White Sugar
|-
| Nitrogen
(N) || 2020 || 100 || 0
|-
| Phosphorus
(P) || 790 || 30 || 0.7
|-
| Potassium
(K) || 10,300 || 650 || 25
|-
| Calcium
(Ca) || 60 || 240 || 60
|-
| Magnesium
(Mg) || 290 || 70 || 10
|-
| Sodium
(Na) || 450 || 20 || 10
|-
| Chlorine
(Cl) || 4700 || 180 || 100
|-
| Sulfur
(S) || 260 || 130 || 20
|-
| Boron
(B) || 6 || 0 || 0
|-
| Zinc
(Zn) || 21 || 2 || 1.2
|-
| Manganese
(Mn) || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
| Iron
(Fe) || 22 || 0.6 || 0.6
|-
| Copper
(Cu) || 2 || 12.6 || 1.2
|-
|colspan=4 style="font-size:.7em"|Source: COMPARISON OF THE ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF 3 SOURCES OF EDIBLE SUGAR - Analyzed by PCA-TAL, Sept. 11, 2000. (MI Secretaria et al, 2003) in parts per million (ppm or mg/li)
|}
{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|Health Attributes of Coconut Sugar Nutrients
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width=50%;"| Macro-nutrients
! style="background:#ddf; width=50%; text-align:left;"| Health benefits provided by these nutrients
|-
| Nitrogen
(N) || help treat cardiovascular diseases
|-
| Phosphorus
(P) || important for bone growth, kidney functions and cell growth
|-
| Potassium
(K) || reduces hypertension, helps regulate blood sugar, helps control cholesterol levels and weight
|-
| Calcium
(Ca) || vital for strong bone and teeth, and for muscle growth
|-
| Magnesium
(Mg) || essential for metabolism, nerves and stimulates the brain (memory)
|-
| Sodium
(Na) || plays a key role in the functioning of nerves and muscles
|-
| Chlorine
(Cl) || corrects the pressure of body fluids and balance the nervous system
|-
| Sulfur
(S) || important for healthy hair, skin and nails, also helps maintain oxygen balance for proper brain function.
|-
| Boron
(B) || essential for healthy bone and joint function, enhances body's ability to absorb calcium and magnesium
|-
| Zinc
(Zn) || called the "nutrient of intelligence" is necessary for mental development
|-
| Manganese
(Mn) || has antioxidant, free-radical-fighting properties, is important for proper food digestion and for normal bone structure
|-
| Iron
(Fe) || vital for the quality of blood, mental development and the immune system
|-
| Copper
(Cu) || helps to release energy, helps in melanin production in the skin, helps in the production of red blood cells and aid in the absorption and transport of iron
|-
|colspan=2 style="font-size:.7em"|Source: www.nutritiondata.com
|}
.
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
produced from the sap of cut flower buds of coconuts
COcOnuts
COcOnuts is the second album released by Jane, comprising Animal Collective member Panda Bear, and Scott Mou. It was originally self-released on CD-R's, but later became the first album released by Psych-o-path Records in 2005. The Psych-o-path version was remastered by Rusty Santos and Edik Kleyner....
. Coconut sugar has been used as a traditional sweetener for thousands of years in the South and SouthEast Asian regions where the coconut tree is in abundant supply. The world's largest producer of coconut is the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
It is also called Palm sugar
Palm sugar
Palm sugar was originally made from the sugary sap of the Palmyra palm, the date palm or sugar date palm . Now it is also made from the sap of the sago, arenga pinnata and coconut palms, and may be sold as "arenga sugar" or "coconut sugar".-Description:It is quickly gaining popularity in the...
, coco sugar, coconut palm sugar or coco sap sugar. The terms coconut sugar and palm sugar are even used interchangeably in some areas but coconut sugar is different from palm sugar. Palm sugar comes from the Palmyra tree and coconut sugar comes from coconut palm.
Manufacture
Coconut sugar comes in crystal or granule form, block or liquid. It is essentially a two-step process. It starts with harvesting or "tapping" the blossoms of a coconut tree. Farmers make a cut on the spadixSpadix
In botany, a spadix is a type of spike inflorescence having small flowers borne on a fleshy stem. Spadix are typical of the Family Araceae known as arums or aroids...
and the sap starts to flow from the cut. The sap is then collected in bamboo containers. The sap collected is then transferred into giant woks and placed over moderate heat to evaporate the moisture content of the sap. The sap is translucent and is about 80% water. As the water evaporates, it starts to transform into a thick syrup-like substance known as a "toddy". From this form, it is further reduced to crystal, block or soft paste form, or it remains in this form. Essentially, coconut sugar's form depends on the moisture content of the toddy.
Taste and flavor
Coconut sugar is subtly sweet almost like brown sugar but with a slight hint of caramel. However, since organic coconut sugar is not highly processed the color, sweetness and flavor can vary depending on different factors. Coconut sugar's color, sweetness and flavor can vary slightly from packaging to packaging depending on the coconut species used, season when it was harvested, where it was harvested and even the way the "sap" or "toddy" was reduced.Health benefits
The Glycemic IndexGlycemic index
The glycemic index, glycaemic index, or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion and release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more...
of coconut sugar is 35 and is classified as a low glycemic index food. It is considered to be a healthier than traditional white sugar and brown sugar
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content, or it is produced by the addition of molasses to refined white...
. It can be used as a 1:1 sugar substitute for coffee, tea, baking and cooking.
Coconut sugar has high mineral content, a rich source of potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...
, magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
, zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
and iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
. In addition to this it contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B complex group. Several forms of the vitamin are known, but pyridoxal phosphate is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism, including transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation...
. When compared to brown sugar, Coconut Sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and over 10 times the amount of zinc.
The coconut sap which coconut sugar is derived from contains 16 amino acids. The amino acid which has the highest content in coconut sap is Glutamine
Glutamine
Glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the standard genetic code. It is not recognized as an essential amino acid but may become conditionally essential in certain situations, including intensive athletic training or certain gastrointestinal disorders...
. Glutamine lutamine has been studied extensively over the past 10–15 years and has been shown to be useful in the treatment of serious illnesses, injury, trauma, burns, and treatment-related-side-effects of cancer as well as in wound healing for post-operative patients. It is known to reduce healing time after operations. It is essential in states of illness or injury even requiring intake
Coconut Sugar is also rich in Vitamins. Inositol
Inositol
Inositol or cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol is a chemical compound with formula 6126 or 6, a sixfold alcohol of cyclohexane. It exists in nine possible stereoisomers, of which the most prominent form, widely occurring in nature, is cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol, or myo-inositol...
has the highest amount of all the vitamins found in the coconut sap. Among the reported benefits of inositol in clinical settings are a reduction in the need for pain medication when patients are given inositol, a reduction of edema in treatment of scald burns, and in relieving the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Because of its beneficial effects on the central nervous system and its role in the development of healthy cells, Inositol is recommended as a treatment for anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorders. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that inositol may be useful in treating other mood disorders and neuro-psychological disorders.
The Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute released the following information about their analysis of nutritive values found in coconut sugar:
{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Macro-nutrients (mg / l – ppm, dry)
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Coconut Sugar
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Brown Sugar
! style="background:#ddf; width=25%; "| Refined White Sugar
|-
| Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
(N) || 2020 || 100 || 0
|-
| Phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
(P) || 790 || 30 || 0.7
|-
| Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...
(K) || 10,300 || 650 || 25
|-
| Calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
(Ca) || 60 || 240 || 60
|-
| Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
(Mg) || 290 || 70 || 10
|-
| Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
(Na) || 450 || 20 || 10
|-
| Chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
(Cl) || 4700 || 180 || 100
|-
| Sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
(S) || 260 || 130 || 20
|-
| Boron
Boron
Boron is the chemical element with atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B. Boron is a metalloid. Because boron is not produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in both the solar system and the Earth's crust. However, boron is concentrated on Earth by the...
(B) || 6 || 0 || 0
|-
| Zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
(Zn) || 21 || 2 || 1.2
|-
| Manganese
Manganese
Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
(Mn) || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
| Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
(Fe) || 22 || 0.6 || 0.6
|-
| Copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
(Cu) || 2 || 12.6 || 1.2
|-
|colspan=4 style="font-size:.7em"|Source: COMPARISON OF THE ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF 3 SOURCES OF EDIBLE SUGAR - Analyzed by PCA-TAL, Sept. 11, 2000. (MI Secretaria et al, 2003) in parts per million (ppm or mg/li)
|}
{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|Health Attributes of Coconut Sugar Nutrients
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width=50%;"| Macro-nutrients
! style="background:#ddf; width=50%; text-align:left;"| Health benefits provided by these nutrients
|-
| Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
(N) || help treat cardiovascular diseases
|-
| Phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
(P) || important for bone growth, kidney functions and cell growth
|-
| Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...
(K) || reduces hypertension, helps regulate blood sugar, helps control cholesterol levels and weight
|-
| Calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
(Ca) || vital for strong bone and teeth, and for muscle growth
|-
| Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
(Mg) || essential for metabolism, nerves and stimulates the brain (memory)
|-
| Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
(Na) || plays a key role in the functioning of nerves and muscles
|-
| Chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
(Cl) || corrects the pressure of body fluids and balance the nervous system
|-
| Sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
(S) || important for healthy hair, skin and nails, also helps maintain oxygen balance for proper brain function.
|-
| Boron
Boron
Boron is the chemical element with atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B. Boron is a metalloid. Because boron is not produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in both the solar system and the Earth's crust. However, boron is concentrated on Earth by the...
(B) || essential for healthy bone and joint function, enhances body's ability to absorb calcium and magnesium
|-
| Zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
(Zn) || called the "nutrient of intelligence" is necessary for mental development
|-
| Manganese
Manganese
Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
(Mn) || has antioxidant, free-radical-fighting properties, is important for proper food digestion and for normal bone structure
|-
| Iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
(Fe) || vital for the quality of blood, mental development and the immune system
|-
| Copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
(Cu) || helps to release energy, helps in melanin production in the skin, helps in the production of red blood cells and aid in the absorption and transport of iron
|-
|colspan=2 style="font-size:.7em"|Source: www.nutritiondata.com
|}
Popularity
Coconut sugar has gained popularity as a health food and among people with diabetes. Coconut sugar can be used as a sugar substitute and is considered safe to use for diabetics. Coconut sugar used to be only sold in specialty Asian stores but companies are now selling it in natural food markets and online making coconut sugar more accessible to mainstream markets and making it a more viable sugar substituteSugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....
.