Gula Melaka
Gula Melaka
Gula Melaka is a type of natural palm sugar made from the sap of flower buds from coconut palm. Typically from Indonesia and Malaysia. In Indonesia, it’s called Gula Jawa.
Jaggery Sugar
Jaggery Sugar is natural brown sugar made either from palm sap (coconut, date, sago, or toddy palms) or from sugar cane juice. It’s called unrefined sugar because it’s manufactured without separating the molasses.
Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar undergoes less processing than white sugar, which allows it to keep some of the molasses content which contains some minerals.
Molasses is a by-product of the sugar production process, which is brownish in colour.
What can Gula Melaka be used for?
Onde Onde
The sweet brown filling of onde onde is made up of gula melaka. Onde onde is a popular sweet snack made up of glutinous rice flour, sweet potato, shredded coconut and gula melaka.
Sago Gula Melaka
This is a sago pudding dessert where coconut milk and gula melaka syrup are added to give the sago pudding its sweet fragrance.
Is Gula Melaka Healthy?
It has a low glycemic index compared to other sweeteners, so it will be less likely to cause the blood sugar to spike. It is not refined sugar, hence it retains higher levels of plant based vitamins and minerals as compared to refined sugar. Although gula melaka is considered a better option as compared to other sweeteners, too much fructose in your diet is not a good idea.
Tip
If too much spice is added into curry, shavings of gula melaka can be added to reduce the spice levels and make it smoother on the palate.
How is it sold?
At SGDriedGoods, gula melaka is sold per piece or by weight, or ready package ones.
