8 Best Palm Sugar Substitutes (+ PHOTOS)

Palm sugar is a sweetener derived from palm fruit juice.

It has a mild sweetness and is often used in desserts or drinks.

It also comes in granulated form and can be added to baking recipes.


Palm sugar is widely used in Southeast Asia and Africa.

In the Philippines, it’s known as kamias and is usually sold in large bags at supermarkets.

However, some people don’t like its strong flavor.

If you want to try another option, then you should check out these 8 best alternatives to palm sugar

What Is Palm Sugar?

Palm sugar is a sweetener derived from palm sap, a sticky liquid secreted by the trunk of the coconut tree. It is used widely throughout Southeast Asia and Africa. In Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, it is known as gula jawa Javanese, gula Melaka Malay, gula kremas Indonesian, gulur daun kelapa Sundanese, gula tempe Thai, and jaggery Hindi.

Best Palm Sugar Substitutes

Palm sugar is a natural product that comes from the sap of the coconut tree. Coconut trees produce a thick, milky white sap called “gula melaka” Malaysia, “jaggery” India or “gula jawa” Indonesia. This sap contains glucose, fructose, sucrose, and other sugars. It is collected during the rainy season and stored until needed. Gula jawa is usually sold in blocks, but sometimes it is sold in powder form.
Gula jawa is used as a sweetener in many Asian dishes such as desserts, drinks, and sauces. It is also used in traditional medicine.

1. Coconut sugar

Coconut sugar is made by heating the gula jawa to remove moisture and crystallize the sugar. Coconut sugar is sweeter than regular granulated sugar because it contains higher levels of sucrose.
2. Brown sugar
Answer: Brown sugar is made by adding molasses to refined cane sugar. Molasses is the dark syrup left after removing the juice from sugarcane. Brown sugar is darker than light brown sugar because it contains more molasses.

2. Maple sugar

Maple sugar is made by boiling maple sap until it becomes thick and syrupy. It is used as a sweetener in baking and desserts.
3. Turbinado Sugar
Turbinado sugar is produced by passing hot liquid through a very fine sieve to produce a coarse powder. This process removes the outer layer of the sugar crystals leaving behind a fluffy white powder.

3. Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener derived from honey bees collecting nectar from flowers. It is composed primarily of sugars glucose and fructose along with smaller amounts of minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, copper, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, and nitrogen.
4. Molasses
Molasses is a dark syrup obtained by boiling down the juice of ripe cane sugarcane. It contains sucrose, glucose, fructose, and other organic compounds.

4. Dark brown sugar

Dark brown sugar is a type of white sugar produced by processing raw sugar into a darker color. This process involves heating the sugar until it caramelizes, resulting in a darker color and flavor. Dark brown sugar is used in baking, candy making, and other culinary applications.
5. Brown sugar
Brown sugar is granulated sugar that has been processed to remove the molasses. It is available in light, medium, and dark varieties. Light brown sugar is slightly lighter in color than regular brown sugar. Medium brown sugar is darker than light brown sugar but not quite as dark as dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar is very dark in color and has a strong molasses flavor.

5. Muscovado sugar

Muscovado sugar is a type of unrefined cane sugar that is similar to demerara sugar. It is a popular sweetener in India and is sometimes referred to as Indian Sugar. Muscovado is a traditional name for unrefined sugar from India.
6. Demerara sugar
Demerara sugar is a refined form of muscovado sugar. It is a pale yellowish-brown color and has a milder taste than muscovado sugar, which is why it is often used as a substitute for it.

6. White sugar

White sugar is the most common form of sugar found in grocery stores. It is produced by refining granulated sugar crystals. Refining removes impurities such as molasses and other minerals, leaving only pure sucrose table sugar.
7. Brown sugar
Brown sugar is simply white sugar that has been processed further using molasses. This gives it a darker color and richer flavor than regular white sugar.

7. Date sugar

Date sugar is a type of confectionery used in baking and cooking. It is made from dates, which are dried fruits that are rich in natural sugars. Dates are usually sold in blocks, but they can also be purchased individually. To make date sugar, cut the dates into small pieces and dry them thoroughly. Then grind the dates into a powder. Use 1 part ground dates to 3 parts powdered sugar.
8. Honey
Honey is a sweet substance derived from flowers, fruit, leaves, and nectar. It contains many nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. Honey comes in different colors depending on where it was harvested. Raw honey is unprocessed and unpasteurized. It is not heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit 46 degrees Celsius during processing.

8. Molasses

Molasses is a thick syrup produced from the concentrated juice of sugar cane. Sugar cane is grown in tropical areas around the world, especially in Brazil, India, China, Indonesia, and the United States. In the U.S., molasses is primarily used as a flavoring agent in baked goods, such as breads, cookies, muffins, and pies. Molasses is also used in making candies, sauces, gravies, and soups.
9. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a sweet liquid extracted from maple trees. It is made by boiling down sap collected from maple trees. Maple syrup is available in two types: light and dark. Light maple syrup is lighter in color and has a milder flavor. Dark maple syrup is darker in color and has a stronger flavor. Both types of maple syrup contain about 50 percent glucose and fructose. Glucose and fructose are monosaccharides simple carbohydrates.

Can I substitute honey for palm sugar?

Yes, you can use honey instead of palm syrup. But if you are using honey, you need to reduce the quantity of water used in the recipe. For instance, if you are making a cake, you need to reduce 1/3rd of the water used in the recipe while baking.

What is the difference between palm sugar and regular sugar?

Sugar substitutes are a great way to cut back on added sugars in your diet. However, not all sugar substitutes taste exactly the same. Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates HSH are sweet but lack the calories found in table sugar. Sucralose and Splenda® are artificial sweeteners that are chemically similar to sucrose, but they are 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame is another popular sugar alternative. It is 100 times sweeter than sugar and has been approved by the FDA since 1965. Acesulfame potassium is a third type of artificial sweetener. It is about 300 times sweeter than sugar, but it does not have the negative health effects associated with other artificial sweeteners.

What is the best sugar alternative for baking?

Palm sugar is a type of sweetener used in many Asian countries. It is produced from the sap of certain palms such as coconut, Arenga, and date palm trees. Palm sugar is usually sold in blocks or bricks and comes in different colors depending on the source of the tree. It is often used in desserts and drinks.

What is the substitute for palm sugar?

Palm sugar is a type of natural sweetener used in many Asian countries. It is produced from the sap of coconut trees. It is similar to brown sugar but has a stronger flavor. Palm sugar is widely used in desserts and drinks. It is available in granulated form and comes in different sizes. It is sold in packets and jars.

What is a good substitute for palm sugar?

Sugar alternatives are used in place of regular sugar because of the health benefits. Sugar substitutes are usually healthier than regular sugar. However, not all sugar substitutes are created equal. For instance, agave nectar is sweeter than honey but does not provide the same nutritional value. So, if you are looking for a healthy sugar substitute, check the ingredients list carefully. Also, remember that sugar substitutes tend to melt at different temperatures than regular sugar. This means that if you are using a sugar substitute in recipes that call for regular sugar, you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

Which sugar substitute tastes the most like sugar?

Palm sugar is produced from the sap of the coconut tree. It is very sweet and sticky. In Indonesia, palm sugar is used as a condiment or dessert topping. Palm sugar is available in different colors such as white, yellow, dark brown, light brown, black and red.

Can I use honey instead of palm sugar?

Honey is a natural sweetener derived from flowers and fruits. It contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Honey is used in many dishes such as breads, desserts, sauces, jams, jellies, marinades, salad dressings, soups, and tea. Palm sugar is produced from the sap of the coconut tree. It is widely used in Asian cuisine. It is sweeter than regular white sugar and has a distinctive flavor. It is available in different forms such as granules, powder, syrup, and liquid form. In addition to being used in cooking, palm sugar is also used in making traditional medicines.