Description

Jaggery vellam, also sometimes called gur or panela, is a type of unrefined cane sugar originating from South Asia. It's made by boiling down sugarcane juice until it thickens and solidifies. Here's a breakdown:

• Origin: South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world
• Color: Light yellow to dark brown, depending on processing
• Texture: Soft and can be broken into pieces
• Taste: Rich, slightly sweet with a hint of caramel and minerals

Compared to regular sugar:

• Processing: Jaggery vellam is minimally processed, retaining some vitamins and minerals. Regular sugar is highly refined.
• Nutrition: Jaggery vellam contains small amounts of minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium. Regular sugar has no vitamins or minerals.

Uses:

• Sweetener in beverages like tea or coffee
• Ingredient in traditional Indian sweets
• Baking (can be a substitute for sugar)
• Considered a healthier alternative to refined sugar due to its mineral content

Interesting fact: The word "vellam" simply means "jaggery" in Tamil. So, "jaggery vellam" is essentially saying "jaggery jaggery"!