JAGGERY INDIAN GUR OR GOOR

JAGGERY INDIAN GUR OR GOOR

Pd of jaggery

Common name

Gur/Bellam/Vellam/Bella/Gul/Sharkara/Piloncillo

Scientific name

Saccharum officinarum

Kingdom

Plante

Family

Poaceae

Jaggery is referred as superfood sweetener. It is a pure, unrefined, and non-centrifuged sugar (aka NCS) obtained by concentrated juice of sugar cane, and date or plan sap without removing molasses and crystals.

It is commonly used in almost every Indian household.

Background and native countries

Portuguese were the first who discovered it in late 1600s. From 'the Malayalam cakkara", they renamed it as "xagara." And later became famous as jaggery.

Jaggery has been produced in India for hundreds of years. At that time, it was called as " s'arkara and was only know sugar in the subcontinent.

Today about 70% of total world's production of jagger takes place in India. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippine Sri Lanka, Myanmar, & Nepal are also contributing in exporting jaggery.

Cropping & harvesting

Harvesting of sugar cane is carried out at 10 to 20 months stage, depending upon plantation time and crop maturity. 4 step procedure is required for preparation of jaggery from sugar cane crop. The steps are:

Extraction: It involves crushing and extraction of sugar cane juice. And if other certain trees are considered then date or palm sap is extracted.

Clarification: extracted juice is poured into a huge metal container. All solid particles settle down at the base of the container and clear liquid is skimmed off.

Concentration:  clear juice is poured in huge plan bottom pans and laid in an open fire. Boiling and evaporation result in thick flaky liquid.

Preparation: solidify and cut it into the desired shape.

Culinary Uses

Jaggery gives a delectable and healthful touch to both sweet and savory dishes. The use of jaggery is commonly seen in South East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Following are some recipes incorporating jagger

• Jaggery rich
• Jaggery bread
• Certain Indian curries such as:
• Sambhar
• Dale
• Gujarati vegetables
• Puran Poli etc

Health benefits

• Fights seasonal cough and flu
• Improves bowel movement
• Limits weight gain (if taken moderately)
• Fights back Anemia
• A quick source of energy
• Limits the risk of developing cancers
• Purify blood
• Detoxify liver
• Builds immunity
• Treat breathing disorders