Though the use of sugar is quite popular in India, it is a food with no nutritive value and causes more harm than good. Jaggery, a healthy substitute to sugar, has been used in Indian cuisine since time immemorial. It is known both for its nutritive and medicinal properties. This is perhaps why more and more moms are opting for use of organic jaggery in their children’s meals.

Benefits of jaggery –

• Jaggery is a great cleansing agent and helps cleanse the respiratory tract, the oesophagus, stomach, and the intestines. It reduces constipation and improves bowel movement.
• Natural jaggery is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. It is high in iron content making it good for anaemic patients.
• Jaggery is rich in potassium. This helps in boosting metabolism and promoting weight loss.
• Jaggery is a natural antioxidant that helps in fighting off infection. It provides a big boost to the immune system.
• Jaggery is a natural sweetener. It provides the body with instant energy and warmth.

Jaggery is particularly good for foods and concoctions made to cure cold and cough. Home remedies in India often call for the use of this sugar substitute to balance the sharpness of spices such as ginger and pepper. Here are some recipes used to cure cold which are made with organic jaggery powder:       

• Turmeric milk with pepper and jaggery powder – Warm milk laced with grated and ground turmeric is an age old remedy for cold. Turmeric is a natural antibiotic that helps in fighting infection. Add a pinch of ground pepper which helps relieve cough. ½ tsp Slurrp Farm’s 100% Organic Jaggery Powder adds a power packed boost to this concoction with its cleansing and antioxidant properties.

• Sukkukaapi– Sukku is the Tamil word for dried ginger. The SukkuKappi is a dried ginger powder concoction that is popular in southern India. It is an excellent home remedy for cold and cough. The sukkukaapi powder combines 2 tsp of dry ginger powder, 1 ½ tsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp each of peppercorns and cumin, and a couple of cloves. These spices are dry roasted, ground, and sieved. Mix 1 tsp of this powder with 1 tsp of organic jaggery powder and hot water. Sukku kapi by itself is a bit too spicy for children. Jaggery adds both a sweet taste and antioxidant benefits to this beverage.

Picture courtesy – Tasty Appetite

• Tomato Rasam – Rasam is not only a staple dish in south Indian cuisine but also a great remedy for cold and cough. It is a favourite with children. The rasam spice mix is made with dry roasted and powdered chana dal, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, peppercorn, cumin, and red chilli mix. Boil the tomato puree with 1 tsp of the mix, salt and turmeric. 1 tsp Slurrp Farm organic jaggery powder. Temper the rasam with mustard and cumin in ghee. Tomato rasam with pepper is a hot soup-like beverage. Jaggery makes it more palatable for children.

• Pomegranate Juice – Pomegranate is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, potassium and folate. Vitamin C helps relieve cold and the antibacterial properties of the fruit help fight infection. Adding natural jaggery powder enhances its flavour making it appealing to children while at the same time making it more nutritious.

• Oatmeal Porridge – Kids who are down with cold and cough often lose their appetite. It is important to keep them hydrated and to keep the meals light, nutritious, and healthy. Oatmeal porridge is a great breakfast option during these times. Cook oatmeal in water and add in milk, organic jaggery powder, and Slurrp Farm Banana Powder (optional) to make a healthy recipe that is easy on the throat and easy to digest.

Picture Courtesy – Reader’s Digest

• Gond Laddoo–Prevention is always better than cure. The age-old food that is consumed across northern India during winters is the laddoo using edible gum resin (gond). To make gond laddo, about 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour and about 3 tbsp edible gum are separately roasted in ghee. These are then combined with powdered organic jaggery powder and cardamom powder and shaped into laddoos.

Picture Courtesy – Cooking with Rekha