My theme this year is Burma AKA Myanmar. I used to live in Laos, so this was a return to Southeast Asia that I looked forward to. I spent a little over three weeks exploring this country, learning a bit about its culture: its history, religion, and language. I thought others might enjoy some of what I learned and see some of what I saw.
Here’s all the Jaggery I have left from my trip. It seems to be popular in our house. |
Jaggery candy is a common treat in Myanmar. Jaggery tastes a lot like maple syrup candies we have here, but it’s made from the Toddy Palm that has any number of uses, from medicinal to utensils.
Palm Juice |
Bringing the juice to a Boil |
Cooling Jaggery |
I’d definitely eat less candy if I had to scale a tree, cut the palm, drain the juice into pots, climb down the tree, boil the juice, stir it, cool, then shape it into tiny balls. But I have to say, it’s a tasty treat.
Answers to I: What do you know about the Irrawaddy River?
F 1. The Irrawaddy is the largest river in the world. (No. It’s the largest in Burma. It’s a toss up between the Amazon and the Nile as to which of these is the larger.)
T 2. The river has been used as a main trade route since the sixth century.
(That’s as far back as they’ve found evidence of trade in this waterway.)
NOW what do you know about Jaggery?
T/F 1. Jaggery is predominantly sucrose (C12H22O12), with traces of mineral salts, iron and some fiber.
T/F 2. Jaggery is digested in the same way sugar is digested.