Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated by Indians all over the globe. Also known as, Deepavali, it is observed on the 15th day of the month of Kartika and following the Hindu lunar calendar, this month is considered the holiest. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 14.
The festival of lights is incomplete without sweets. Binge eating sweets is the best way to enjoy this fun festival. A plethora of sweets are made and gifted to loved ones for the occasion. This includes Kaju Katli, Soan Papdi, Motichoor ke Laddoo and so much more. Diwali parties also include several savoury desi delicacies such as kachori, samosa, and cutlets.
However, people who are going through the weight loss process or extremely conscious about themselves gaining weight can cut off sugar and use substitutes instead. Between brown sugar and jaggery, which is a better sugar substitute. This question often strike our mind. Here are the differences between Brown sugar and jaggery:
Brown Sugar vs Jaggery:
Like sugar, jaggery is also made from sugarcane and is often called unrefined sugar. That’s because it is manufactured without separating the molasses. Once the sugarcane juice is extracted and filtered, it is cooked for a while until the mixture becomes a thick, sticky brown paste. This paste is then poured in moulds and kept aside to cool.
- The most obvious difference between jaggery and brown sugar is the way these two sweeteners are manufactured. Brown sugar is made by mixing refined sugar and a controlled amount of molasses. The molasses in the brown sugar gives it a toffee-like flavour and colour. This type of sugar is often used to make dense cakes, cookie dough, and barbecue sauces.
- Jaggery, on the other hand, is made by sugarcane juice or palm sap. The sugarcane juice is reduced to a thick brown paste before being set in moulds to harden. Jaggery is browner in colour and has loads of flavours since it is unrefined. The predominant flavours of jaggery are fruity, earthy, caramel with slight notes of smoke.
- Even though the two have almost similar calorie value, jaggery has a noticeable amount of iron and other essential minerals. The mineral content makes jaggery healthier for people trying to reduce empty calories from brown or white sugar.
- Jaggery, with its reputation for being a healthy sugar, is relatively less sweet than brown sugar. Since it is rich in minerals, jaggery’s taste is also different from brown sugar. That is why when you substitute brown sugar with jaggery, you need to add more of it to attain the same level of sweetness.
