Category: Product Knowledge

Have you ever wondering which is the best natural sweetener? Maybe you start thinking about Honey, Stevia, Dates Syrup, and maybe Coconut Sugar. Well, let dig down about this four popular natural sweetener.

Coconut Sugar VS Honey

Coconut sugar is one of the most popular natural sweeteners in the world. Although the name is coconut sugar, this sweetener is not made from coconut fruit, but from the sap of the coconut tree. the coconut sugar production process is not too complicated. first the farmers will climb onto the coconut tree, then they will make a small incision on the coconut tree trunk. from the small incision will come out drops of coconut sap, the sap will later be collected and cooked. The coconut sap cooking process is quite laborious, because we need to keep stirring the sap that we heat on the stove. This process continues until the water content in the sap evaporates and leaves only sugar crystals. Meanwhile, if you want to make coconut syrup, you can only cook it half cooked!

Source : Globalcocosugar.com

While you must be very familiar with honey, honey is a natural sweetener that has a liquid form and a thick texture. The viscous liquid is flower nectar taken by honey bees which will later be stored in their hives for further processing. According to Live Science that we quoted from Kompas.com, the flower nectar taken by the honey bee before being stored in the hive, the flower nectar will be stored in the bee’s stomach, and the process that occurs in the bee’s stomach is an adjustment of the acidity or pH in the bee’s stomach. The unique fact is, the first country that produces honey is Greece. Honey is very well consumed by adults and children, honey also has many benefits if consumed regularly. Although there are many types of honey, almost all types of honey have the same benefits when consumed.

Source : Kompas.com

In the end, we will surely think, which is better, honey or coconut sugar? maybe before you judge one of those 2 products, you need to look at the following details

Coconut Sugar Glycemic Index VS Honey Glycemic Index

Coconut sugar is popular in the world because this product offers several benefits, the most famous of which is a low glycemic index. The glycemic index of coconut sugar is at 35, which is quite low compared to the glycemic index of honey, which is at 58. The taste of coconut sugar is also quite unique compared to other natural sweeteners.

Coconut Sugar Taste Vs Honey Taste

Honey has a very distinctive taste as a natural sweetener. The taste of honey will eventually make people really like the taste of honey and really dislike the taste of honey, so it can be said that they will be divided into 2 teams, a team that really likes and a team that doesn’t like it very much. Unlike coconut sugar, coconut sugar has a distinctive taste that can still be tolerated for those who don’t really like the taste of natural sweeteners. Coconut sugar has a distinctive taste such as a very thick caramel flavor compared to cane sugar in general. So usually coconut sugar can be used as a sweetener as premium caramel popcorn or high quality caramel sweetener.

Vitamin and Minerals In Coconut Sugar And Honey

Coconut sugar and honey both contain vitamins and minerals that are needed by our bodies. In general, the vitamins and minerals in honey are riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Thiamin, Niacin, Amino Acids, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Sodium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Manganese and Zinc.

Meanwhile, coconut sugar also contains vitamins and minerals that are as good as honey, here are the vitamins and minerals contained in coconut sugar; Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, phytonutrients, flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins

Conclusion Which Best Natural Sweetener Is The Best?

After looking at some of the considerations and benefits of these 2 products, namely coconut sugar and honey, both are very good products for long-term consumption, besides that we can’t judge which is better, because both have their own benefits. However, if you don’t like the taste of honey that is too “Authentic” you might be able to try coconut sugar as an alternative sweetener. Then what do you think?

Does coconut sugar taste like other type of sugar?

Coconut sugar might look like brown sugar. However, it is completely different. Check out this article to know more about coconut sugar!

Coconut sugar is derived from the sap of the coconut palm tree and is produced in the Southeast Asia. Coconut sugar is processed different than other sugar. It processed minimally, so it preserves some of the natural vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants found in other unprocessed sugars. How to make coconut sugar is sourced from the nectar of coconut palm tree blossom. To make the nectar become crystallized is by boiling the sap of the flower until it solidifies and thickens. Once it crystallized, the coconut sugar is ready to be sieve and served.

How Does Coconut Sugar Taste?

Coconut sugar has unique flavor and color that varies depending on the species used to create it and when it was harvested, but it has a smoky taste that is comparable to brown sugar with undertones of caramel. Another unique fact about coconut sugar is it a low glycaemic index (GI) of 35 (about half that of white sugar), which has led to claims that it is an excellent sugar alternative for diabetics. It is a strong source of potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, as well as various B vitamins, and has a high mineral content when compared to other sugars.

In terms of its taste, you can try to mix coconut sugar with coffee. Coconut sugar will not only make your coffee taste better, but it will also enhance the bitterness of coffee with the sweetness, smoky, and a little bit of savory in your coffee. In the southeast asian countries especially Indonesia they have a habit of brewing a coffee by using coconut sugar instead of other ordinary refined sugar. This has been done for generations because it can increase the taste of coffee that is more delicious.

How to Use Coconut Sugar

Other than that, coconut sugar can also be used in cakes, cookies, granola, parfaits, sauces, and any other recipe that calls for conventional sugar. Simply use a one-to-one ratio of coconut sugar to white or brown sugar when making a recipe. When cooking with coconut sugar, the basic rule is to use the same amount as white or brown sugar in a dish. However, because it has a darker color for sugar, avoid using it in baked goods that require a pale color food.

When you use coconut sugar for additional ingredients, please do not expect coconut flavor from coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is using the sap of the coconut, not the meat of the coconut, is utilized to manufacture coconut sugar. The typical coconut flavor comes from the meat. Coconut sugar has a moderate, straightforward caramel flavor.

Coconut Sugar Storage

For the storage, coconut sugar should be kept dry and in a well sealed container. You can keep it for up to a year at room temperature in a cool, dry place. If the coconut sugar is in block form, store it in an airtight container in a cool corner of the pantry to avoid drying out. When your coconut sugar clots, do not worry because it can still be consumed well. You just need to break it with the help of a spoon so that it returns to the form of granule and put it in a cool and not damp place.

In summary, coconut sugar can be used in place of regular sugar in beverages, baking, and cooking because the flavor and texture are so comparable. Stir it into your coffee or tea, or use it in pies, cookies, donuts, and even homemade vegan chocolate bars, just like white or brown sugar.