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.
Courtney Turner says
I've heard of it in some Indian cooking blogs, and thought it was a kind of sugar when I looked it up. Thanks for the details!
Maui Jungalow
Claudine G. says
Wow, I never knew the tedious work behind making palm candy (and I didn't know they were called 'Jaggery.' Over here, we just call them palm candy.)
Deepti Agarwal says
Jaggery is a substitute of Sugar and is much healthier ..
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Natasha Duncan-Drake says
That does sound like a lot of work for candy 🙂 I love maple candy though, so if it tastes similar I can understand why people are willing to do it 😀
Tasha
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Lanise Brown says
Oh no. I think I had a chance to try Jaggery once before. There was some of it around the house but it was gone before I had the chance to taste it. Maybe next time! 🙂
I'm going to guess true for both questions.
Cherie Reich says
I wouldn't mind trying some jaggery. It sounds pretty good.
A Tarkabarka Hölgy says
Sounds very sweet… Sweets around the world are fascinating 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
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Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com says
Interesting. I've never heard of jaggery. I have such a sweet tooth, though, that's my kind of treat.
I like your quiz. I'm going to guess T and F.
Thanks for dropping by, Lee.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Yeah, if i had to make my own candy, I would definitely cut back. haha This is cool though – interesting to see how it all comes together. The name sounds like something from Alice in Wonderland!
T.F. Walsh says
Never heard of this candy, but with maple, I'm sure I will like it.
Clarabelle Rant says
Growing up in MA, we ate our waffles with Maple syrup. My mom now ships me maple syrup candy every birthday. I'm sure I would LOVE Jaggery. My sweet tooth is so large that I'd commit to the process, just to be able to pig out on my own stash 😉
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J.H. Moncrieff says
Hmm…looks good. Is it chewy candy or hard?
Yvonne Ventresca says
*sound
Yvonne Ventresca says
Based on the spund of the word I wouldn't guess that it was candy!
Yvonne
Roessel Morton Celeste Nicholas Thornton says
cute J there.
lovely bright brown color.
Empty Nest Insider says
I agree with Pat. Are you sure you wouldn't climb a tree for it, Lee?
Julie
Pat Hatt says
Wow, that is a lot of work. The candy must be good
Christine Rains says
Ooh, Jaggery sounds like something I'd try as I'm a fan of maple candies.
Donna McDine says
I would definitely eat less of everything if that's what I had to do! Yikes!
I'm mesmerized, how the heck did you get your book image Beware the Little White Rabbit to move like that?
Delores says
What a fabulous introduction to your book. My grandies may be too young for it but…..I'm not lol.
Delores says
What a fabulous introduction to your book. My grandies may be too young for it but…..I'm not lol.
Birgit says
I think I got both right from yesterday -whoot! Whoot! I never heard of this treat before. Hmmm I will say -ok it is sugar so it is easy to say true to both but I will break it up and say True to the first but false to the 2nd. I don't know I almost feel that it might go through ones' system slower than sugar. Guessing again
Stephen Tremp says
I'm always amazed at people who climb these trees barefoot. The treat looks delicious.
Chrys Fey says
Jaggery looks and sounds tasty.
And those pictures are neat.
Stephanie Faris says
Oh yeah. Maybe that's what I need to have to go through to get chocolate. At least I'd get some exercise and burn off some of the calories I get from it.
Nick Wilford says
If one is true, the other has to be true. (Or both false.) Right?
Sarah Foster says
Sounds tasty!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – no Jaggery doesn't entice me .. but I love the learning of how they create it ..
I think I'd have to go that both are false .. cheers Hilary
nashvillecats2 says
I am enjoying my "trip" abroad via your blog. Thanks for another excellent day.
Yvonne..
Karen Mortensen says
Interesting process. Would like to try some.
J.L. Campbell says
First time I've heard of this sweet. You live and you learn. 🙂
Carol Kilgore says
I'm not a sweet nut, but I know my husband would love this. T/F? One or the other 🙂
Rachna Chhabria says
Jaggery Candy looks great. I want to have it now.
Jennifer Hawes says
I bet that's why they're all skinny. Hmm… That treat looks delish!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Maple syrup – that sounds good.
I'm going to guess false on both.
Jeremy Hawkins says
I would love to taste this wonderful thing "Jaggery"…
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