Naturally sweeten your Diwali mithai with dates

In the last decade or so, with the increase in focus on health and nutrition; the shift to find alternate sources to processed white sugar has been gaining importance.

The debate is to determine which among the sugars is less harmful. The choices are the lesser processed versions of cane sugar, palm sugar, beet sugar and coconut sugar. Then there are the syrupy substitutes to table sugar; like agave and honey and the natural substitutes like stevia and sweeteners like aspartame and splenda. These alternatives are slowly finding their ways into kitchen cupboards.

While any source of sugar is not entirely healthy, each of the above alternatives present a better competition to regular white sugar. One of the healthier alternatives that is preferred while making sweets and desserts is the fruit of the date palm – dates. Dates are commonly eaten as sweet snack and known to be rich in iron. However, more recently, in light of the search to find healthier alternatives to white sugar, the high nutrition and fibre content of dates have come to light.

While it is important to note that the sugar content of dates is very high and given that sugar in general is not very healthy to consume; dates are wholesome alternatives with their rich phytochemicals, mineral, vitamin and fibre content. Dates contain high levels of selenium, copper, potassium and magnesium. They also contain trace levels of manganese, iron, phosphorous, fluorine and calcium making them a healthier sugar choice for making sweets and baked goods.

With festivities around the corner, it may be the right time to make some healthier sweets and cakes with date caramel. This is a syrup made with ground dates and is decadent, almost like a butterscotch or caramel sauce. It can be refrigerated in a jar and can be added to desserts to sweeten them.