Our Rainforest Herbs Organic Coconut Sugar ia also known as “Coconut Flower Nectar” is a functional food product from the coconut tree that is the naturally sweet, nutrient-rich “sap” that comes from the coconut flower. It is perfectly granulated into powder form for convenience and may be used as a healthy replacement for sugar in all dishes and drinks or as an all in one sports isotonic liquid. Our Organic Coconut Flower Sugar is fully certified as Organic in USA, Japan and the European Union. Rainforest Herbs Organic Coconut Flower Sugar contains only 100% coconut sugar and is free from cane sugar, which is commonly added to reduce cost in commercial palm sugar and “Gula Melaka”.
What’s the Problem with White Sugar, Fructose and Sweeteners? The main problem regarding the negative health effects of sugar is the quantity we eat and the type of sugar. Up until even 80 years ago our ancestors consumed very little sugar by today’s standards. Global obesity and the epidemic in diabetes and hypertension is directly linked to our exponential increase in sugar consumption. This has been further exacerbated by the additional of refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup in the majority of processed foods we consume. As part of our Coconut Diet we recommend the avoidance of all processed foods and especially a complete avoidance of soft-drinks, processed juices and sweetened condensed milk (a particular problem in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in general).
Natural isotonic sports drink: rich in minerals; potassium, sodium, magnesium & chloride- Rich in B vitamins, amino acids & micronutrients
- Low glycemic for weight loss and blood sugar control
- Supports healthy digestion with natural prebiotics
- Used for thousands of years in Southeast Asian cooking
- Can replace white sugar in all dishes 1:1
- Organic certified in USA, Japan & EU
- Tastes great with a slight caramel flavor
- Great for baking and desserts!
Until the advent of processed white sugar, this was the primary nutrient rich sugar used in Southeast Asian cooking. All of the components of a coconut have wonderful health benefits, but the nectar or sugar contains 17 amino acids, minerals, and vitamin C; has a broad spectrum of B vitamins (Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6); and is high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. It also has a high content of inulin, a prebiotic fiber, which feeds our intestinal flora and helps boost digestive and immune functions. Coconut Flower sugar has 400 x more potassium than white sugar and 15 x more than brown sugar (see comparison table below).
The glycemic index of Coconut Flower Sugar is only 35, a low glycemic food because it produces a slow energy release, helping to sustain your body through daily activities without “highs” and “lows.” This is important to those who are concerned about weight loss and diabetes. All other sugarcane-based sweeteners, refined white sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and dehydrated cane juice sweeteners have a high glycemic index rating of between 55 to 100 per serving. It is even lower in glycemic index than Agave (42). Pure glucose is 100 on the scale, with high-fructose corn syrup one of the highest commonly used processed food sweeteners at around 81. As such, coconut sugar has one of the lowest on the GI scale, making it a far healthier alternative.
HOW IS COCONUT FLOWER SUGAR MADE?
Coconut trees give us a whole lot more than just coconuts. Coconuts are actually dry, fibrous drupes, not fruits. Before turning into the large bowling ball shaped seeds we know so well, they are flowers. When cut, these blossoms release a thick, sweet sap that is traditionally collected into bamboo containers. The cut coconut flower can stay open and producing sugar for almost 20 years!
Once the fresh sap is collected it is gently heated, reducing the nectar by one quarter, producing a heady sweet smell and beautiful caramel-colored thick liquid. The sap must be heated within 24 hours of collection. Then the thick syrup is poured over trays in a thin layer and left to crystallize. This crystallized sugar is then granulated, resulting in pure, delicious organic coconut flower sugar.
COCONUT FLOWER SUGAR – THE ULTIMATE ISOTONIC SPORTS DRINK
Coconut Sugar contains such a broad spectrum of potassium, sodium, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that it is the most complete isotonic drink available, and is far more economical than even Coconut Water! It is recommended to drink as a pre and post workout isotonic drink. It is also a rich dietary source amino acids, including glutamine, which plays an essential role in many aspects of health, including being essential for the brain and nervous system, skeletal muscle, heart and prostate.
To make your coconut sugar rehydration and electrolyte replacement sports drink simply add 3 teaspoons to each 500mls water for a great tasting sports drink! This helps athletes reduce fatigue during and post exercise and replenish not only potassium, sodium, chloride and low-glycemic sugars but also a full spectrum of micronutrients that is definitely not available in commercial isotonic liquids. We guarantee that you will love the taste and feel the benefit right away.
Sweating depletes the body of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates and these need to be replenished to maintain circulation and muscular activity and prevent heat exhaustion, dehydration and maintain normal cellular activity. Electrolytes are the elements like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Coconut sugar contains 15x more potassium than brown sugar, 20x more sodium, 26x more chloride and 4x more magnesium. While we can replenish sodium more easily through the foods we eat, replenishing potassium and magnesium may be neglected and coconut sugar contains these in ideal proportions.
The main fuel for energy is glucose and exercise depletes our glycogen stores leading to fatigue. During prolonged exercise and immediately after exercise we should drink coconut sugar isotonic drink to provide a natural low glycemic sugar for slow release and to ensure that the sugars are used only to replenish energy required for cellular function and not be stored as fat. The addition of natural B vitamins, amino acids and micronutrients in coconut sugar provides additional broad-spectrum cellular support during and after exercise. Coconut sugar isotonic sports drink helps avoid the symptoms of electrolyte and sugar imbalance from exercise, such as headaches, dry mouth, nausea and fatigue, by hydrating your body and slowly introducing electrolytes and low glycemic sugars back into your bloodstream.
To learn more about the benefits of Coconut products in our diet please visit our Paleo Diet page. To sample a traditional Malay recipe with coconut flower sugar, visit our Recipe page.
Comparison Between Coconut Flower Sugar & Processed Sugars
| Macro-nutrients (mg / l – ppm, dry) | Coconut Sugar | Brown Sugar | Refined White Sugar |
| Nitrogen (N) | 2020 | 100 | 0 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 790 | 30 | 0.7 |
| Potassium (K) | 10,300 | 650 | 25 |
| Calcium (Ca) | 60 | 240 | 60 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 290 | 70 | 10 |
| Sodium (Na) | 450 | 20 | 10 |
| Chlorine (Cl) | 4700 | 180 | 100 |
| Sulfur (S) | 260 | 130 | 20 |
| Boron (B) | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 21 | 2 | 1.2 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Iron (Fe) | 22 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Copper (Cu) | 2 | 12.6 | 1.2 |
| Source: COMPARISON OF THE ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF 3 SOURCES OF EDIBLE SUGAR – Analyzed by PCA-TAL, Sept. 11, 2000. (MI Secretaria et al., 2003) in parts per million (ppm or mg/li) | |||
Amino acid content of freshly-gathered coconut flower sap.
| Amino Acid | Value (g/100g) |
| Histidine | 1.19 |
| Arginine | 0.35 |
| Aspartic Acid | 11.22 |
| Threonline | 15.36 |
| Serine | 8.24 |
| Glutamic Acid | 34.20 |
| Proline | 3.52 |
| Glycine | 0.47 |
| Alanine | 2.56 |
| Valine | 2.11 |
| Isoleucine | 0.48 |
| Tyrocine | 0.31 |
| Phenylalanine | 0.78 |
Vitamin content of freshly-gathered coconut flower sap
| Vitamin | Value (mg / dl) |
| Thiamine B1 | 77.00 |
| Riboflavin B2 | 12.20 |
| Pyridoxine B6 | 38.40 |
| Para-aminobenzoic acid | 47.10 |
| Pyridoxal | 38.40 |
| Pantothenic acid B5 | 5.20 |
| Nicotinic acid B3 | 40.60 |
| Biotin B7 | 0.17 |
| Folic acid B9 | 0.24 |
| Inositol | 127.70 |
| Choline | 9.00 |
| Vitamin B12 | trace |
Rainforest Herbs Organic Coconut Sugar is available in 350gms and 5 kg bulk packs for busy kitchens and restaurants.