Jaggery, a traditional sweetener, is commonly found in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa and South America. It is derived from the extract of sugarcane juice or palm sap, which is boiled and solidified into blocks or cones. Jaggery is often regarded as a healthier substitute for refined sugar as it retains the natural minerals and vitamins available in sugarcane or palm sap. It contains iron, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants that are absent in refined sugar. Additionally, Jaggery is known for its high sugar content, making it a good source of energy.
How is Jaggery made?
Juice Extraction
The conventional method involves crushing sugarcane between rollers to extract its juice, whereas in contemporary mills, crushers are used to crush the sugarcane and press it to release the juice. The modern extraction process proves to be more efficient, resulting in a higher yield of sugarcane juice.
Juice Clarification
The sugarcane juice that has been collected is allowed to settle the debris at the bottom before commencing the filtration process. To enhance the quality of the Jaggery, the inferior sugarcane juice undergoes filtration to eliminate both light and heavy particles. Subsequently, it is combined with a diverse range of plant and chemical clarifying agents. These agents serve the purpose of reducing the colour, moisture content, and acidity of the Jaggery, thereby improving its overall quality.
The vegetable clarifying agents employed in this process include Deloa, Bhindi, Phalsa, Castor, Groundnut, and Soybean.
Chemical clarifying agents such as Hydros (sodium hydrogen sulphite), Lime (Calcium oxide), Sodium carbonate, Sodium bicarbonate, Sajji (50% sodium carbonate, 6.4% sodium sulphate, 4.5% sodium chloride), Superphosphate, and Alum are utilized.
Juice Concentration by Boiling
During this stage, the clarified sugarcane juice undergoes a boiling process for a duration of 2 to 3 hours under controlled temperature conditions. This results in the formation of concentrated sugarcane syrup. The syrup is then heated until it reaches the striking point, which is the temperature at which the sugarcane juice begins to thicken. The striking point varies depending on the type of Jaggery being produced. For solid Jaggery, the striking point is 118 degrees Celsius; for liquid Jaggery, it is 106 degrees Celsius; and for granular Jaggery, it is 120 degrees Celsius.
Cooling of Concentrated Sugarcane Juice
After the point of impact, the sugarcane juice becomes thicker and is then transferred to a cooling tray, which can be made of either iron or wood. Once the glossy appearance of the thickened sugarcane juice disappears, it is considered ready for the process of block formation and graining.
Once the cooling process is complete, the liquid form of Jaggery is prepared for packaging. The partially cooled mass is vigorously pounded to break it into granules using scrapers and wooden hammers. This step aids in the drying process of the Jaggery and facilitates the formation of granules. Different frames are utilized to cut the cooled Jaggery into blocks, resulting in the formation of block Jaggery.
Shaping, Powdering, and Drying
The moisture content of the granules is reduced by employing tray and playhouse drying methods, as well as exposure to sunlight. Subsequently, the dehydrated block Jaggery undergoes packaging and storage. The dried granules are sifted through 3mm filters before being packaged and stored.
5 Benefits of Jaggery
Jaggery for Boosting Immunity
Protecting your young ones from common infections can be a challenge, especially when they may not be careful about hygiene. However, there is a natural solution that can help boost their immunity - Jaggery. Jaggery contains essential micronutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and selenium, which are known to improve the immune system.
When the immune system prevents bacteria and viruses, it can incur oxidative damage. Vitamin C and zinc play a crucial role in preserving a healthy immune system by preventing this oxidative damage. Additionally, selenium further enhances the body's immune response against these harmful microbes.
By incorporating Jaggery into your family's diet, you can help keep diseases at bay. Its immunity-boosting properties make it a valuable addition to your daily routine.
Jaggery for Asthma
Asthma is a condition characterized by the narrowing and inflammation of the airways, leading to difficulty in breathing. Jaggery can be beneficial for asthma sufferers due to its rich iron content. Iron helps improve the level of haemoglobin in the blood, which, in turn, increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This improvement in oxygen supply can provide symptomatic relief and make breathing easier for those with asthma.
Furthermore, Jaggery's anti-allergic effect can be attributed to the presence of selenium. Selenium aids in removing foreign substances from the body, which can help manage asthma and allergies. However, it is important to note that further studies are required to fully confirm these claims in humans.
Jaggery for Weight loss
Jaggery is a good source of potassium, which aids in balancing electrolytes, boosting metabolism, and building muscles. It also helps in reducing water retention in the body, thus playing a significant role in weight loss. Furthermore, Jaggery is rich in folate and iron, which can help prevent anaemia by increasing haemoglobin levels in the blood.
Jaggery as a remedy for Anaemia
Anaemia is a medical condition distinguished by a significant decrease in haemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin, a protein essential for transporting sufficient oxygen to the body's tissues, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Consequently, low haemoglobin levels can lead to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeats, headaches, dizziness, cold extremities, and a yellowish tint to the skin.
Jaggery for Intestinal health
Jaggery, a dark brown natural sweetener, is known for its positive impact on intestinal health. It is a rich source of magnesium, with every 10 grams containing 16 mg of this essential mineral. By consuming just 10 grams of Jaggery, one can fulfil 4% of their daily magnesium requirement. Therefore, incorporating Jaggery into your daily diet can contribute to maintaining good intestinal health. It is easily accessible in all parts of India, but it is important to ensure that the Jaggery you purchase is 100% natural. Start experiencing the benefits of Jaggery by making it a regular part of your diet.
Conclusion
There are numerous benefits to consuming Jaggery. Nevertheless, if you are considering replacing refined sugar or brown sugar with Jaggery, it is recommended to consume it in moderation. It is crucial to acknowledge that Jaggery does contain a considerable amount of calories, so it is important not to surpass the recommended intake.
