Coconut Flower Sugar

What is coconut blossom sugar?

You may not yet know what coconut blossom sugar is and, you will quickly understand it, it is a great pity. Why is that a shame? Because sugar is often an enemy of well-being and health and there are much healthier alternatives to Muscovado sugar or coconut blossom sugar. Another advantage of this sugar is that it is durable. The sap from the coconut tree is simply used to obtain it, thus allowing the tree to continue to live and produce fruit for many years to come. It is recognized as the most sustainable sugar by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. According to Gandhi, coconut blossom sugar is the "counterpoison of misery" because it allows poor people to work. Although it is manufactured mainly in Indonesia and the Philippines, where it is very popular, it is beginning to make a real name for itself in the West. This sugar has a very nice light brown colour. It is unrefined and contains no additives, it does not undergo any transformation, it is a truly natural sugar.

What is the flavour of coconut blossom sugar?

Unlike a refined white sugar, coconut blossom sugar has a great taste. It has soft and pleasant caramelized notes.

Harvesting and manufacturing of coconut blossom sugar

Coconut flower sugar betrays its origin by its name. It is actually produced from coconut sap harvested by hand from coconut palms. The harvesters climb the trees to hang the coconut flower stems. They are shaken, the sap is collected in containers placed underneath. Did you know that? A coconut tree can produce up to 25 kilos of sap per day, enough to make a lot of coconut flower sugar. The harvested sap is then heated to evaporate the water and make a syrup. The coconut nectar will harden to form sugar crystals which will then be mixed to obtain a magnificent powder.

How to use the coconut flower sugar?

Coconut flower sugar is a sugar, we can imagine it perfectly in our desserts with its subtle and caramelized taste. However, it finds its perfect place in other savoury preparations.

Our recipe ideas with coconut blossom sugar

The starter: prawns in caramel with coconut flower sugar

Prepare a caramel with water and coconut flower sugar. Add a little soy sauce and sesame seeds to this preparation and cook your shrimps for a few minutes so that they absorb the delicious sweet and sour taste.

The dish: coconut curry chicken with coconut flower sugar

Do you like Asian flavours and sweet and sour? This dish is to be discovered. Brown your chicken pieces in a frying pan with an onion. At the same time, prepare a coconut milk sauce with curry and ginger to which you will add a spoonful of coconut flower sugar. It doesn't seem like anything on the scale of a recipe, but it will make all the difference in terms of taste.

The dessert: red fruit and coconut sugar crumble

This recipe is extremely simple, you just have to take the basics of the crumble and replace the refined white sugar by a natural coconut flower sugar. This little caramelized taste will make the difference at the time of tasting.

The health benefits of coconut blossom sugar

Since coconut blossom sugar is unrefined, it is much healthier than white sugar. Its glycemic index is much lower (25 to 35 compared to 70 for white sugar), so it is preferable for diabetics who need to control the glycemic intake in their diet. Rich in vitamins B and C and antioxidants, it maintains the central nervous system and allows better cell regeneration. Coconut flower sugar contains inulin, a soluble fibre which plays favourably on intestinal transit and strengthens the immune system. It also contains nitrogen which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.

The conservation of coconut flower sugar

Coconut flower sugar is moist, it is best to store it in an airtight container in a dry place.