Palm Syrup

Palm syrup is a sweet syrup obtained from the sap of a number of trees. The palm syrup is produced extensively in the Canary Islands along with various coastal regions of South America. Miel de palma is the native name given to the syrup which literally means honey palm or palm syrup. The production of the palm syrup is not confined to a single variety of tree. However, different regions prefer different kinds of sap with the Canary Islands obtaining their palm syrup from the sap of the Phoenix canariensis or the native date palm tree. The other countries around the world use the sap of coconut palm, palmyra palm and sugar palm for extracting the palm syrup. The actual procedure for collecting the sap and then concentrating it into the syrup is very similar to the method of maple syrup production.

History Of Palm Syrup Recipes
The Chilean palm tree was first cultivated in 1846 and itssap collected for various purposes. The other kinds of palms abounded in their own regions and the natives belonging to the particular region made use of the palm syrup including that obtained from the coconut palm. There is no exact timeline known to be associated with the palm syrup production due to lack of recorded culinary practices. The date palm tree grew in abundance in the Middle East and the Arabs were known to extract and use the sap from the date palm many centuries ago.

Culinary Uses Of Palm Syrup
The cuisine of South East Asia is famous for its palm syrup recipes. The syrup is typically used in desserts and also used to tone down the fiery spicy taste of several dishes. They are also sprinkled over the prepared dishes just before serving. Palm syrup is sometimes distilled and converted into alcohol. The arrack like fiery liquor is immensely popular in a number of Asian countries and is similar to rum in taste.

Popular Palm Syrup Recipes
Sago Pudding- A dessert dish made with sago cooked in coconut milk using the syrup asca sweetener.
Coconut Pancakes- Flapjacks made with desiccated coconut, bananas and vanilla beans. It is drizzled with the syrup just before eating.
Tong Yuein- A dish made with glutinous balls of rice flour dipped in the syrup.

Non Culinary Uses Of Palm Syrup

Palm Syrup Recipes are used to prepare medicines on La Gomera.

Palm Syrup: Trivia
Palm Syrup is extracted from the Chile Wine Palm belonging to the Jubaea chilensis species in Chile. It has been marked as an endangered species and faces the threat of extinction at present.