The sap from the flowers of the coconut palm tree is used to make coconut sugar. This natural sweetener is less processed than granulated white or table sugar. Due to its place of origin, coconut sugar is also frequently referred to as coconut palm sugar, but it is not the same as palm sugar.
More About Coconut Sugar
Two different types of sugar—coconut sugar and palm sugar—are produced from various plants in various ways. Harvesters cut the flower-bud stem of the coconut palm tree to gain access to its nectar and then tap the sap from the tree. Water is combined with the sap to create the syrup, which is then allowed to dry and crystallize. The producers create sugar granules from the dried sap that resemble cane or regular table sugar.
Additionally, inulin, a type of fiber found in coconut sugar, may slow down the absorption of glucose. In light of this, it is understandable why coconut sugar has a lower Glycemic Index than regular sugar. However, despite being viewed as a healthier alternative to regular table sugar, coconut sugar still has a lot of calories. So, only use it moderately.
Best Overall Substitute For Coconut Sugar
1. Light Brown Sugar
Simply put, brown sugar is regular sugar mixed with molasses. It has a distinct flavor and is a deep brown color thanks to the molasses. Brown sugar has a robust flavor that is almost coffee-like or caramel-like. Can brown sugar be used in place of coconut sugar? Given that both of them have the same texture, flavor, and color, it is a good choice. Additionally, they completely dissolve in beverages and dishes. Brown sugar is a cheap and simple alternative to coconut sugar that should work well.
White sugar can also be used in place of coconut sugar. In terms of calories and nutritional value, brown sugar and white sugar are comparable. The only variations are in the colors, processes, and flavors that each goes through. Because it undergoes fewer chemical processes than regular table sugar, brown sugar is regarded as raw sugar. Use proportions with extreme caution! White sugar is slightly sweeter than coconut sugar, as is brown sugar. For every cup of coconut sugar, substitute 2/3 of a cup of brown or white sugar.
Best Natural Coconut Sugar Substitute
1. Raw Honey
Beeswax, pollen, and decomposing bee parts can all be found in raw honey. Additionally, it contains propolis, or bee glue, which bees use to seal honeycombs and fill cracks. It is well known that propolis has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infection properties.
Use 1/4 cup of raw honey for every 1 cup of coconut sugar because raw honey is liquid and coconut sugar is granular.
2. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a clever substitution for coconut palm sugar in terms of flavor. The sap, or circulating fluid, of sugar maple trees is used to make maple syrup. It is also sweeter and contains potassium, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. To do this, substitute 1/4 cup of maple syrup for each cup of coconut sugar.
3. Sucanat
Sucanat, a French term for “natural sugar,” is produced by extracting the juice from sugar cane, heating it, and then dehydrating it to produce granules. Because it is less processed and more natural than white sugar, it is regarded as a type of raw sugar.
Sucanat has larger crystals and is the same shade of brown as coconut sugar. Because it contains natural molasses, there are also a few traces of caramel flavor in the flavor. Use the texture with caution. Since the sweetener is a little harder and more solid than regular sugar, it won’t dissolve as quickly. You can process raw sugar in a food processor to achieve caster sugar or table sugar consistency if you need it to dissolve completely in a recipe. Coconut sugar and sucanat have identical sweetening properties and can be combined 1:1. Simply put, 1 tablespoon of sucanat should be substituted for each tablespoon of coconut sugar.
4. Date Sugar
You can also use date sugar in your recipes as an alternative to coconut sugar. Finely chopped dry dates are used to make it. Date sugar has impressive nutritional benefits thanks to its high mineral, vitamin, fiber, and antioxidant content.
It can also be used in place of coconut sugar in baked goods even though it is unlike the other types of sugar. Date sugar won’t dissolve in drinks or is difficult to dissolve in drinks, so use caution when adding it to beverages and drinks. Coconut palm sugar can be substituted with date sugar in a 1:1 ratio because it has a sweet, mild flavor. Although it is readily available in supermarkets, date sugar is more frequently found in natural food stores.
5. Agave Syrup
Agave syrup, also called maguey syrup or agave nectar, is a syrup derived from the blue agave plant. The maguey syrup is made by harvesting the circulating fluid from the organic plant, filtering it, and heating it. The majority, if not all, of the agave plant’s health-promoting properties, are destroyed during the commercial process, which is very similar to how most unhealthy sweeteners are made. However, because the enzyme process converts the sap’s fructan content to fructose, this sweetener has a lower glycemic index.
Maguey syrup is more akin to honey in sweetness than regular sugar. Use 1/4 cup of it for every cup of coconut palm sugar you need, just like you would with other liquid substitutes.
6. Maple Sugar
Sap from maple trees is used to make maple sugar. The syrup and sugar are identical except that the syrup is typically reduced into granules.
Maple sugar and coconut palm sugar can be substituted for one another because they are similar to one another. The sweetener smells of vanilla and hints of butter and caramel. As a 1:1 replacement for coconut palm sugar, it works flawlessly.
Best Low-Carb Substitute For Coconut Palm Sugar
1. Stevia
Stevia is an additional acceptable substitute for coconut palm sugar. This sugar-free sweetener is all-natural because it comes from the leaves of the Stevia plant, unlike all the other alternatives.
Since stevia has no calories, it is a healthy alternative to refined sugar and coconut palm sugar. Even though it won’t have an impact on your blood sugar levels, it should still be used sparingly. Since stevia’s sweetening power is comparable to that of coconut sugar, you might want to use a 1:1 ratio when substituting it in your recipes.
2. Xylitol
The sweet flavor of xylitol is very similar to that of sugar, and it is regarded as natural. This is so because some vegetables and fruits contain this sweetener in trace amounts.
It has fewer calories than table sugar, but when consumed in large amounts, it does have a small impact on blood sugar levels. And unlike sugar, researchers assert that it might have some health advantages, such as better dental health and increased calcium absorption. You can use sugar and xylitol in a 1:1 ratio. As a result, substitute 2/3 cup of xylitol for each cup of coconut sugar.
The Bottom Line
Compared to table sugar, coconut palm sugar is thought to be healthier. This natural sweetener is already present in many recipes around the world, even though there are few to no studies to back up the theory. The best coconut sugar alternatives are listed above in case you don’t have any or don’t want to use coconut sugar. Use the alternatives listed above sparingly even though they are all much better than typical white sugar. Finally, we hoped that our article on coconut sugar alternatives was informative.