Palm candy, also known as tal mishri in Bengali, is a healthy choice instead of regular white cane sugar. It has more nutrients compared to white sugar, which lacks nutritional benefits. Palm candy retains its nutritional advantages because it doesn’t undergo any chemical processes. This makes it a good option for everyone, including babies, pregnant women, and elders.

In Bengal, talmishri typically refers to palmyra palm candy crystals. Despite being sold under various names like palm candy, palm sugar, and palm jaggery, they are made from the same plant with slight taste variations and offer the same health benefits.

What Is Palm Candy?

Palm candy usually comes from thickened sap extracted from different types of palm trees. It ranges from brown to dark brown with a distinct flavor and smell. Palmyra palm candy is widely used globally.

How Is Palm Candy Made?

First, the original pure palm sap is collected in an earthen pot from the Palmyra palm tree. Traditionally, the earthen pot is coated with slaked lime to prevent sap fermentation. In some countries like Thailand, bamboo sticks with wood chips are used to collect sap. The sap is gathered from palm trees and then boiled until thick. 

The syrup is poured into pots, a palm leaf is placed in the middle, and the pot is covered for about 7-10 days until the syrup crystallizes into large crystals (known as talmishri in Bengali).

Benefits of Palm Candy

Palm Candy for Anemia

Anemia, a common concern among Indian women, finds a solution in palm candy. Unlike its counterpart, white sugar, which accelerates this condition, palm candy stands out as a rich source of iron. Regular consumption not only helps prevent anemia but also plays a crucial role in averting hair loss associated with this condition.

Palm Candy for Good Digestion

Palmyra palm candy plays a vital role in better digestion. Bengalis weave this natural sweetener into their daily remedies, particularly in herbal teas crafted to enhance digestion. 

Palm Candy for Energy

For both young and old alike, palm candy acts as a delightful energy booster. Bursting with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, iron, and calcium, it becomes a natural reservoir of vitality. Encouraging children to embrace natural sugars like palm candy from an early age is a cornerstone for ensuring they receive the nutrients they need. Even our littlest ones, infants and babies, can safely indulge in the goodness of palm candy.

Palm Candy for Immunity

Regular consumption of palm candy can act as a shield against free radicals, the culprits behind premature skin aging. As a natural blood purifier, palm candy is the preferred choice among many, overshadowing the artificial sweetness of white sugar. 

Palm Candy For Breastfeeding & Pregnant Women

The well-being of pregnant women is of prime importance in every culture. Pregnant and lactating women are encouraged to steer clear of white sugar, replacing it with nutrient-rich natural sugars like palm candy. Even those facing challenges like PCOS find solace in the switch from white sugar to palm candy.

Palm Candy Has a Low Glycemic Index

With a low glycemic index, palm candy stands in stark contrast to the high index of 61 associated with white sugar. This quality ensures that palm candy is a gradual and steady source of energy, offering a safer alternative for those mindful of their blood sugar levels.

Palm Candy For Common Ailments

Palm candy offers relief for common ailments like coughs and colds. The comforting warmth of ginger tea sweetened with palm candy is a natural remedy for both cough and cold. Beyond alleviating respiratory issues, palm candy’s magnesium-rich composition provides a soothing touch to our nervous system, offering holistic well-being.