Jaggery, a sweet, sticky confectionery made from dried fruit leaves, has been consumed since ages in various parts of the world. Some say that it originated in Eastern India, others say that Portuguese brought this here. So although the exact place of origin is questionable, one could safely say that jaggery has been manufactured in places with exceptionally high sugar cane production, namely the Indian sub-continent, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The sweet, sticky confectionery enjoys immense popularity worldwide and is consumed not only by Indians but also by people from all across Europe and Central Asia.
Jaggery comprises of a number of natural sugar constituents which have their own beneficial health effects when consumed on a regular basis. One of the most popular ones includes palmitic acid, which is an alpha hydroxyl acid, that has been found to be very useful for combating toothaches. The other natural sugars available in jaggery are sorbitol, glycerin, manganese, potassium, sodium, and oleic acid. Jaggery is considered to be good for dental health because it helps to promote healthy teeth and gums, and thus is used to prevent tooth decay and gum inflammation. It is also known to be effective in promoting a feeling of satiety and reducing blood sugar levels. The presence of sugar in a confectionery increases its nutritional value and thereby promotes health benefits.
Apart from these, Jaggery has a wide range of other benefits as well, most of which are focused towards alleviating gastrointestinal problems, another major cause of diabetic complications. The juice of jaggery helps in reducing constipation and improves the functioning of the pancreas. It is said to provide energy to the body and restore the sugar levels in the blood sugar, which may have come down due to diabetes. This way, the diabetic can cut back on his or her dosage of insulin and glucose while losing weight.
Apart from providing energy and maintaining a normal blood sugar level, Jaggery is also known to produce a sensation of sweetness, which some people find to be a distinct, herbal taste. Manufacturers do not use a chemically synthesized palmitic acid, but rather a modified version called palmitoyl peroxide, which gives off the sweet taste. This amorphous solid, which is more or less translucent, is added to the juice of jaggery and sweetened with a bit of natural sugar, which gives the confectionery its trademark taste. This method of producing the juice of palmaramia jaggery has been found to give better results than the chemical-synthesized variety, and is therefore cheaper.
The cost of this confectionery varies depending on the brand and the quantity. Some popular brands of this treat are: Jaggery Sweet Caramel, Jaggery Nutmeg Caramel, Sweet Caramel Swirl, Caramel Apple and Caramel Latte, Caramel Chocolate and Caramel Black Chocolate. These all have their own distinctive and unique taste, which is why they are all so popular. The price for a pack of two is around forty pounds. There is also the option to order a single bar of jaggery instead of the two packets, which costs around ten pounds.
Jaggery is made available to everyone in the UK, thanks to the availability of some of the largest milk and dairy companies in the country. Retailers can also order jaggery online, which is good news for those living in rural areas who may not be able to get to any of the places mentioned above. There are many places across the UK where one can buy the confectionery, but there are also stores located in some places, which can offer the customers nutritional value without compromising the taste and aroma. Jaggery has proven to be an excellent addition to many people’s diet, without having to sacrifice the taste!