What is jaggery? (Part 1 of 4)

One of the most commonly used products in Asia and Africa is jaggery. It is made from the juices of sugarcane and palm trees and is widely used as an alternative to white sugar. It is golden yellow in colour and sweet similar to brown sugar. It is commonly referred to as “Gur” in India. 

It is rich in vitamins and minerals and that makes it a better alternative compared to white sugar. Although, it remains a type of sugar so consuming it in excess can have unfavourable effects on the body.

Good quality jaggery is believed to have around 70% sucrose while regular white sugar contains 99.7% sucrose. According to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it is believed that more than 70% of the world’s jaggery comes from India, where people refer to it as “medicinal sugar.”

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/jaggery