Hi,
Run, don't walk, to your local Vietnamese, Indonesian or Thai grocery store. Look for this unrefined palm sugar and be prepared for blast of flavor that is addicting.
- Serious Eats said, "First encounters are reminiscent of someone's first bite of caramel when all they've had is table sugar. There are powerful notes of roasted coffee, smoke, and caramel, with the weighty satisfaction of fudge offset by an addictive bitterness and a verdant twang. Look in Indonesian- and Thai-friendly groceries for it, where it will be sold in cylinders. You can also find it online at Gilt Taste.
This is sugar best treated like a fine balsamic vinegar.... It's the only sugar I know of that should be used sparingly not because it'll oversweeten a dish, but because it'll be too pungent."
I paid $2.29 per pound in St. Louis. On-line its $5 per pound. It is much softer that panela or piloncillo and much more flavorful. I just made a batch of mascarpone and bought some wonderful smelling berries.
Do yourself a flavor and try Gula Jawa - It's also fun to say....
Tim
