Palm Sugar or panamkalkandam. palm sugar is a sweetener that is made from the sap present in the flower buds of the coconut palm tree. it is known as natural sugar because it involves minimum processing and no chemicals are used. the sap from the tree is heated to wick away the moisture content until a thick syrup is obtained and this sweet nectar is then further reduced to crystals. in the stores palm sugar is available in the block granular and liquid form. health benefits of palm sugar: since palm sugar is an unrefined sugar it is known to be rich in vitamins and minerals. as a result it has become increasingly popular as a substitute to white and brown sugar. research studies have found that it contains minerals like potassium phosphorus zinc iron copper and manganese small amount of phytonutrients such as polyphenols flavonoids and anthocyanidin; and antioxidants. it is rich in b vitamins especially inositol (vit8) which is needed for the formation of healthy cells as well as thiamine riboflavin folic acid and choline.