Palm Sugar vs. White Sugar: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to sweeteners, most people are familiar with white sugar, but palm sugar is becoming increasingly popular — especially in natural and traditional recipes.

🌴 Source

Palm sugar is made from the sap of various palm trees (like coconut or sugar palms), while white sugar comes from sugarcane or sugar beets.

🏭 Processing

White sugar is highly refined and stripped of all molasses, making it pure sucrose. In contrast, palm sugar is minimally processed and retains trace nutrients and a rich caramel flavor.

🍬 Flavor

Palm sugar has a deep, complex taste — like brown sugar with a hint of toffee. White sugar is clean and neutral.

💊 Health

While both are sugars and should be consumed in moderation, palm sugar has a lower glycemic index and contains small amounts of potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

✅ Verdict

If you're looking for a more natural and flavorful alternative to white sugar, palm sugar is a great choice — especially in baking, sauces, and Asian cooking.