What is Palm Sugar?
Palm sugar is a natural sweetener that is collected from a sap located in the flower buds of coconut palm trees. It is a very common ingredient that is used in both sweet and savory dishes in many Asian cuisines and is becoming increasingly popular in the West. To collect palm sugar the liquid sap is first boiled into a hardened sugar. It is then transformed into a paste, or a rock-like mass called jaggery, where it is distributed and sold. Since palm sugar is a natural sweetener, the processing is unrefined and chemical-free. Unlike white table sugar that contains no beneficial nutrients, palm sugar retains nutritional contents from the palm tree, like iron, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. Its’ growing popularity, particularly in the United States, is due in part, to American consumers’ increasing consumption of natural foods and the growing trend for healthier living. It is often used as a popular substitute for white and brown sugars.
Is Palm Sugar Authentic or Adultered?
Although palm sap is native to many tropical countries, it is not available for processing throughout the year. The increasing demand for the product has consequently led some sap manufacturers to increase their production quantities through the addition of other substances such as water, sugar and other cheaper syrups. This product misrepresentation affects both retailers and consumers who are not receiving the product they are paying for. Food adulteration testing can assist retailers and consumers in identifying the authenticity of palm sugar.
Palm Sugar Testing with Siratech
Siratech is an ISO accredited laboratory located just south of Austin specializing in food adulteration testing services. With over 30 years of experience, Siratech is focused on servicing customers accurately and quickly, with most samples reported in full within 48 hours of sample receipt. Using stable isotope ratio analysis, Siratech tests palm sugar for any adulteration and ensures that your product purchase has not been misrepresented!We all have a right to know what we are eating. Are you ready to determine the authenticity of your palm sugar? Begin your food adulteration test with Siratech’s here.
