When we think sugarcane, we invariably think sugar and when we think sugar we think, “Oh! So unhealthy!” Yet, this is not the whole story of sugarcane, a plant that belongs to the grass family and is native to South and South-East Asia. Did you know that the process of making sugar from sugarcane was invented in India in 800 BC? Let us now see the various ways in which sugarcane was or is used here and what are its benefits. Sugarcane juice seems to have been part of our food culture for several centuries, and rightfully so, packed as it is with the goodness of calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc as well as several vitamins, iron and folates. It is also a good source of the skin-friendly alpha hydroxy and glycolic acids. Its cooling property, combined with its high mineral content, makes it an ideal drink for the scorching summer months, especially as juicewallahs add salt, ginger and lemon to it, upping both its nutrition and taste quotients. It is a very effective home remedy for jaundice. Diluted with coconut water, it is known to relieve pain caused by urinary tract infection. Its highly alkaline nature helps combat acidity while also being beneficial to cancer patients. What is surprisingly amazing is its low glycemic index despite its high sugar content.
It is the juice that is boiled and processed in kohlus to be made into gur , a highly valuable product of sugarcane. Gur , known as jaggery in English, is brown in colour since it internalises all the beneficial elements of the sugarcane; therefore its dark colour is a sign of its goodness. Just consider that 1 teaspoon of gur contains 4 to 5 mg calcium, 48 mg potassium, 8 mg magnesium, 2-3 mg phosphorus, 0.5 mg iron and traces of copper, zinc as well as B vitamins and nyacin.
Gur is recommended to those who suffer from asthma, joint pain or acidity. As a home remedy, often people have a piece of gur after meals to counter acidity and help digestion. Given its iron content, gur is also indicated in cases of anaemia. To purify blood and inhibit acne and pimples, do bite into a piece of jaggery. These apart, those suffering from menstrual pain can also find relief by consuming gur. Given that its carbohydrate content is highly complex, it releases energy very gradually into the body and since it does not alter the blood sugar level, it is considered diabetic friendly.
From sugarcane we obtain several other products through artisanal processing; these include boora or molasses, which is the syrup obtained after the sugar has been extracted from the juice and sugarcane vinegar. It is quite evident, if we look at traditional knowledge systems, that artisanal sugarcane products are not culprits. We should avoid industrially processed white sugar and adopt the artisanal sugars, such as gur , which have great culinary uses in Indian cuisine.
A delicious gur ki roti can be made by dissolving jaggery in milk over low heat and kneading the atta with the mixture; for added health benefits, add a few fennel seeds to the dough and cook the rotis in pure ghee or virgin coconut oil. When making halvas , substitute the sugar with gur for an extra caramelised taste.Youcanalsomake gur ki chawal; useitinyourteaorcoffeetosavouritscomplexsweetness . And don’t forget the nightcap of milk, turmeric, cardamom and gur.
As we end this sugarcane journey, let us turn our minds to the UP sugarcane farmers, some of whom have committed suicide under the stress of not being paid their dues for the sugarcane sold in 2013-14. We can bring back sweetness to their lives by ensuring their livelihood through our choices. Say no to industrial white sugar and yes to the healthier artisanal sugars.
