Organic Jaggery: The Healthy Alternative to Sugar

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to ordinary sugar for sweetening, cooking and baking, you are going to love our naturally delicious, mineral-rich, certified organic jaggery. It’s made from the extracted juice of organically grown sugarcane, produced to form a gorgeous, rich, healthy sweetener that has been used in traditional diets in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for centuries. 

Often called “gur,” Indian jaggery is used in sweet and savory dishes as well as beverages. Because it is pressed from organic sugarcane, it retains natural vitamins and minerals not found in table sugar, such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and calcium.

Even the ancient healing practice of Ayurveda recognizes the importance of jaggery for promoting good health.

Tips for cooking with our organic jaggery.

• Use equal amounts of or a little less jaggery than sugar in a recipe. Jaggery is rich – both in flavor and nutrition, so a little bit can go a long way.
• If you keep our organic jaggery in the refrigerator, be sure to bring it to room temperature before using in a recipe.
• Mash with fingers or grate as much as you need using a regular cheese grater. Remember, for best results, use room temperature jaggery.
• Make “jaggery syrup” to use in recipes calling for liquid sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, molasses, corn syrup, etc. For every tablespoon of jaggery, use one teaspoon of water. Blend or whisk well to make syrup. Because jaggery syrup is naturally sweet and rich, you can use less in your recipes. For example, if a recipe calls for ½ cup honey, try 1/3 cup jaggery syrup.

Differences between organic jaggery and refined sugar.

• Refined sugar is processed using chemicals to clarify the cane sugar juice syrup, whereas organic jaggery is produced by simply boiling this syrup without the use of harsh chemicals.
• Refined sugar is solid and crystalline, whereas organic jaggery is soft and amorphous.

Jaggery’s texture may vary.

Because jaggery is a natural, unrefined product, the texture, moisture content, and flavor may vary. This does not mean it is bad or expired. Some jaggery may be more dry. Some may be more “melted” and have more liquid molasses.

Unrefined jaggery is naturally sticky and moist. It’s 100% pure.

How to store our organic jaggery.

We seal it in airtight packaging to prevent from contamination before delivery to you. Please remove it from the plastic packaging and allow air to reach it so some of the moisture can evaporate.

Don’t refrigerate it, as jaggery is soft due to moisture, and the refrigerator only introduces additional moisture. You can store the jaggery in its original package without sealing it back in any way. The box has a little gap, which allows some air to reach it. It needs air to not spoil. Moisture is what will make it spoil. Air exposure is fine though.

Because this is a natural product, consistency varies. Some blocks are more moist naturally (which is more traditional), and some blocks are more dry. Dry blocks can be grated with a box grater. Softer jaggery is natural and normal and can be cut with a spoon or butter knife.

Jaggery Q&A

Q. What is the recommended amount to take daily?
A. Thanks for trying our jaggery. It replaces sweeteners like sugar, maple syrup, and honey in your diet. Since Jaggery is very satisfying due to its unique taste, it may help you reduce the amount of sweetener in your diet, if that’s what you want to do. We are not able to offer any specific advice based on your age and weight. An Ayurvedic practitioner, nutritionist, or naturopathic doctor may be able to help you more with that.

Some Recipes for You

Why You Need To Know about Jaggery: Benefits of Fermented Foods and Beverages

Rhubarb Skillet Cake with Jaggery Crum

We love our jaggery, and we think you will, too! Here are 25 fun ideas:

1. Use as you would brown or white sugar in recipes. For best results, grate only the amount needed.
2. Sweeten tea, coffee and grain beverages.
3. Add to hot milk with a spoonful of Grass-fed Ghee and a dash of cardamom powder for a nourishing drink. Stir until jaggery has dissolved.
4. Add a spoonful to pie crust dough when making a dessert crust. Use a pastry blender or food processor to blend all ingredients. This makes a beautiful, lightly sweetened golden brown crust.
5. Stir a spoonful of jaggery syrup into plain yogurt. Add fruit or natural flavoring extracts such as vanilla if desired.
6. Make hot sweet rice by stirring a spoonful into hot basmati rice. Add toasted almonds, currents and a spoonful of Grass-fed Ghee, Cultured Ghee, or Coconut Ghee. This makes a delicious breakfast or a snack, and the kids will love it!
7. Add to pancake or waffle batter in place of sugar. For delicious blueberry pancakes, mix 1/3 cup flour with a pinch of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda. Separately, blend 1 whole egg with 2 teaspoons melted Grass-fed Ghee or Virgin PRIMALFAT Coconut Ghee, ¼ cup organic buttermilk and 2 teaspoons jaggery syrup. Pour over flour mixture; add blueberries, stir to combine, and make pancakes. Serves one.
8. For subtle caramel notes, add a little to sauces for meats, vegetables and grains.
9. Muffins and biscuits are delicious and nutritious when prepared with jaggery.
10. Make your own Kombucha, kefir, or ginger ale with jaggery.
11. Sweeten frostings and icings for cakes and pastries by blending grated or mashed jaggery with softened or melted butter or coconut oil.
12. Make delicious hot chocolate by combining 1 cup organic milk or non-dairy milk, 1 to 2 tablespoons jaggery and 1 to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until cocoa and jaggery are dissolved. Remove from heat. If desired, add a drop of vanilla and a spoonful of Grass-fed Digestive Ghee.
13. Make roasted spiced pecans or other nuts with jaggery. Melt jaggery with butter, salt and spices. Stir in nuts to coat well. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 to 15 minutes.
14. Make delicious caramelized onions in grass-fed ghee or butter with a pinch of jaggery.
15. Add a little jaggery to spaghetti sauce to add a subtle bit of sweetness and help cut down on the acid from the cooked tomatoes.
16. If you are a candy maker, use jaggery in place of sugar.
17. Slice 2 large bananas vertically to make 4 long halves. Cook in 2 tablespoons Dessert Ghee or Digestive Ghee over medium heat, for just a minute or two. Turn the bananas over. Sprinkle with 1 or 2 tablespoons grated jaggery and some cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Continue to cook for another 2 to 4 minutes or until bananas are browned and caramel-like. Serve as is or with whipped cream, yogurt, ice cream or favorite non-dairy frozen dessert. Serves 4. For variation, try this recipe with apples, pears, or peaches in place of bananas.
18. Mix a little mashed or grated jageery with peanut butter, almond butter or other favorite nut butter. Spread over toast or crackers.
19. Make chocolate chip cookies with grated jaggery instead of white or brown sugar.
20. Add jaggery syrup to gingerbread or ginger cookies in place of molasses. Remember, jaggery syrup is sweet and rich, so you can cut down on the additional sugar called for in the recipe.
21. Sweeten a favorite brownie recipe with jaggery instead of sugar.
22. Stew dried fruits with jaggery. Simply simmer 1 cup dried fruits such as figs, dates, raisins or prunes with a teaspoon of jaggery in 1 cup water or apple juice. For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
23. Add a spoonful of jaggery to curry dishes for a nice compliment to hot spices.
24. Add a little jaggery to salad dressings such as vinaigrette. Be sure to blend with a blender in order to completely combine ingredients. Delicious!
25. Use grated jaggery as a “sugar scrub” for your body. It helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, creating healthy, soft and supple skin. Don’t forget elbows and heels!