Gula Melts Coconut Nectar Sugar – A low glycemic index (GI), vitamins rich, healthier natural sweetener that is a great alternative to your normal table sugar
Fresh coconut meat, coconut water, coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut wine, coconut vinegar, coconut nectar, coconut nectar sugar – on the edible side, the use and benefits we can get from this wonder plant are aplenty.
Gula Melts Coconut Nectar Minis RM6.80
We’ve recently added a new coconut-related ingredient in our kitchen – Coconut nectar sugar bought from Gula Melts. The brand specializes in producing high quality, distinctive taste coconut nectar the traditional way. We have been using their coconut nectar about a year by now, replacing white sugar we used to put into our coffee, dessert, baking, cooking and so forth. Summerkid’s mum especially love the coconut nectar in original flavour, using it almost everyday to bake fresh, healthy multi-grains bread for the family.
Gula Melts Coconut Nectar Sugar Jar/RM33, packet /RM27
Glad to know that Gula Melts has recently launched coconut nectar sugar, a type of natural sweetener that has become rather popular in the past few years, despite not in Malaysia, but slowly gaining attention. In case you wonder what is coconut sugar and where it comes from – it is derived from the sap of coconut flower. The extracted liquid sap is further heated up in low temperature until most of the water evaporated to obtain final product of coconut crystals in caramel brown colour. Natural, less processed, nutrients retained.
This crystallized version of Gula Melts coconut nectar serves as a healthier sweetener, as it is rich in minerals and vitamins, low glycemic index, 100% natural with no colorings and preservatives. A far cry from normal table sugar which has lost most of their nutritional value through heating and processing.
Potassium, zinc, iron and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6 – these are nutrients content you may not get in normal white sugar. Coconut sugar also has a good amount of dietary fiber called inulin, which helps on blood sugar balance, fatty liver disease prevention, colon cancer prevention, etc.
Speaks about glycemic index (GI), a measurement of how fast a food raises your blood sugar levels, coconut sugar certainly scores better for having lower GI. Gula Melts coconut sugar has a glycemic index of 35, even lower than honey, which usually on GI 55 and for refined sugar, somewhere around 70. In other words, it won’t make your blood sugar spike like general table sugar does.
Taste wise, raw coconut sugar tastes similar like brown sugar, delicate and light. Easier to control on the amount usage comparing to super concentrated liquid form coconut nectar we have been using. Not overly sweet, expect it will be nice to be sprinkled over our morning egg toast. LOL.
We gave our first try on Gula Melts Coconut Nectar Sugar by baking a basic banana cake and caramelized banana with plain yogurt. The end result for the former is darker colour of cake, but equally tasty. You can use it on any other cakes recipe. Replace white sugar amount with coconut sugar in the ratio of 1:1. More aromatic, less empty sweetness.
While for caramelized banana with plain yogurt, it is super easy to prepare. Just cut banana into pieces, toss with coconut sugar. We use 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar for 1 banana but this also depends on the banana size you bought, and your caramelize preference. We caramelized the sugar moderately, not overly dark but if you like it more burnt, leave it in the pan for longer time. Suggest to cut banana in larger pieces to avoid being too mushy. We top the caramelized banana with plain yogurt to balance up the overall sweetness, healthier options too but to be honest, pairing it with ice cream makes this teatime snacks whole lot more better. Hahaha.
You can get Gula Melts products in B.I.G (Ben’s Independent Grocer) outlets:
Publika Solaris Dutamas
Glomac Damansara
Batai Damansara Heights
Village Grocer Outlets:
Mont Kiara
Bangsar Village
Chengkih by Norman Nusa Bangi Getaway Shopping Mall
Young Organic Company Kuching Sarawak.
Alternatively, you can purchase online at Gula Melts website http://www.gulamelts.com and Honestbee stores.
