Last Updated on August 29, 2022 by James Matthews
From a young age, you are told over and over that you need to be careful about how much sugar you take in. Too much sugar can lead to health problems, like diabetes and other issues. You need to monitor your intake as your parents say.
However, the truth of the matter is that we can’t stay without sugar. Even if you live an incredibly healthy life and monitor your diet closely, it is still nearly impossible to avoid sugar altogether. Sugar is found in just about everything. So it’s not a matter of total avoidance but rather choosing to only ingest sugars that are good for you.
Did you know that there are different types of sugars? It’s true, there isn’t just one type like you remember from when you were a child. Now there seems to be sugar derived from so many different sources. Shopping for sugar can be almost as complicated as shopping for a car.
Recently there has been a debate between two different types of sugars. Coconut sugar and palm sugar are two different types that have sparked debate. Which is better? Which is good for you? Which is bad for you? Should you use coconut or palm sugar more? The answer is both complicated and simple.
Let’s break down the differences between the two types and decide which is right for you. If you are going to partake in sugar, you might as well go with the type that tastes best.
Coconut Sugar vs Palm Sugar: Flavor Differences
Do you like butterscotch and caramel? If so, you are someone who will probably go for coconut sugar over palm sugar. Coconut sugar has the flavoring of butterscotch caramel taste mixed into it whereas palm sugar does not and maintains a smokier taste. If you are a fan of brown sugar, you will probably be a fan of coconut sugar.
A key consideration is that palm sugar is usually mixed with cane sugar. That alters the flavor a bit and doesn’t give it as natural a flavor as you might expect. Can you find pure and natural palm sugar in America? Yes, you can. But it is harder to find than palm sugar mixed with cane sugar.
When it comes to the fragrance between the two, palm sugar takes the cake there because its scent is far stronger than coconut sugar. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you are cooking with either of these because it will ultimately affect the taste of any dish you are crafting. If you are looking for a more subtle sugar flavoring, you should go with coconut sugar. If you are looking for a type of sugar with more kick and a stronger taste, palm sugar is the right path for you.
Coconut Sugar vs Palm Sugar: Use Cases
Now that you know that there are differences in taste between palm and coconut sugar, you need to determine which instances you would use either of them. When should you use palm sugar and when should you use coconut sugar?
A good rule of thumb is that you should use coconut sugar when you are making dishes that should have caramel notes like cookies, cakes, and other sweets. So, if you like to sweeten your coffee or tea then you should also stick with coconut sugar.
If you are looking for a type of sugar with a more traditional taste or flavor, palm sugar is right for you. It is more subtle and won’t affect the flavoring of your dishes as much as coconut sugar. If a recipe calls for pure palm sugar, it may be more difficult to find. Pure palm sugar still exists but it is harder to come by.
Coconut Sugar vs Palm Sugar: Health Considerations
Are you concerned about sugar’s effect on your health? You should be, too much sugar can be detrimental to your well-being if it goes unchecked. You need to monitor how much sugar you ingest, including palm or coconut sugar.
But if you are trying to decide between palm sugar or coconut sugar then the health aspect is a big factor in your decision-making process, you need all the facts. So the basic question is this: is palm sugar or coconut sugar healthier and better for you?
Palm sugar is a lot like traditional sugar. In small doses, it will not have a negative effect on you. A little bit of palm sugar isn’t bad for you, even if you are eating it daily. However, one of the biggest problems with modern palm sugar, especially in the United States, is that it is made with cane sugar. That complicates the selection process a bit more because cane sugar mixed into palm sugar makes it worse for you than coconut sugar. If you are able to find palm sugar without cane mixed into it, you can use it daily in small doses. But if you can only find palm sugar with the cane, coconut sugar is better for you.
Why is that? What does coconut sugar have – or not have – that palm doesn’t? Coconut sugar gets its nutritional edge because it has a lower glycemic index. This means coconut sugar has a lower impact on your blood glucose levels and doesn’t spike insulin as much. That means that coconut sugar is definitely better for anyone who is diabetic or pre-diabetic. It also means that coconut sugar is better for anyone who is just looking to monitor their sugar intake.
Conclusion
Now, no sugar is particularly good for you. Even coconut sugar can have a negative impact on you. As with all sugars, moderation is key and that is the only way to prevent future health issues due to sugar.
Coconut sugar and palm sugar have their benefits and drawbacks. Both are delicious and wonderful in their own ways. But if you are looking for something that is better for your health and the dishes you make, coconut sugar is the right choice for you.
