How Should You Store Coconut Sugar?

Coconut sugar is increasing in popularity due to its versatility and health benefits. Coconut sugar can easily replace other granulated sugars using a 1:1 ratio, and it adds a delicious caramel flavor to dishes and baked goods. Like any other sugar, coconut sugar should still be consumed in moderation because it is still a sugar. However, it does have some unique benefits including:

Contains inulin, which is a soluble fiber that helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
It is around 35 on the glycemic index (GI), which is lower than regular sugar. This is another indicator that it is less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar.
It retains nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Whether you plan to use coconut sugar in your cooking or baking, it is important to understand the best way to store coconut sugar. Proper storage will maintain its delicious quality as long as you have it.

Everything You Need to Know About Coconut Sugar Storage

How Should You Source Coconut Sugar?

Coconut sugar, also called coconut palm sugar, is made from collecting the sap from the flowers of coconut palm. The sap is then cooked until the water evaporates leaving behind granulated coconut sugar. Of course that is just a brief summary, the individual steps of the process are much more detailed than that.

Coconut sugar is an unrefined sugar, which means that it doesn’t go through chemical treatments or contain additives and preservatives like its white sugar counterpart. In general, you will find that most coconut sugar is organic because the process to make the sugar doesn’t include pesticides or genetic modification of the substance. Coconut sugar is also a sustainably sourced ingredient so you can buy it in good conscience. While most coconut sugar is natural and unrefined, the best way to source it is to buy it from a brand that you trust.

Here are a few recommendations for quality coconut sugar:

Thrive Market Organic Coconut Sugar (Note: Thrive Market requires a membership, but guarantees that you will save money each year)
Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Sugar
Big Tree Farms Organic Brown Coconut Sugar
MADHAVA Organic Coconut Sugar 3 Lb. Bag

Does Sugar Go Bad & How Long Does It Last?

A characteristic of all sugar, including coconut sugar, is that it doesn’t go bad. Because sugar is a dehydrated substance, it is not an environment where mold and bacteria can grow. Rather, sugar is used as a preservative in some foods like jam and jelly. If not stored properly, environmental factors like bugs, moisture, and other aromas can reduce the quality of the sugar and possibly make it unusable. However, if stored properly, sugar will last indefinitely.
For more information about the shelf life of coconut sugar, read this blog post.

How Should You Store Coconut Sugar?

You will want to store your coconut sugar properly to maintain the quality of it. You should store coconut sugar like you would white or brown sugar – in an airtight container in a cool and dark place (such as the pantry). This will keep the bugs and moisture out, which will result in a clean, unrefined, and soft sugar.

If your coconut sugar has formed hard clumps, here are some tips you can try to restore the quality of the sugar.

You’ll find a host of airtight containers on Amazon that are perfectly suitable to store your sugar. Here are a couple of suggestions!

Time to Break Out the Coconut Sugar

Let’s be honest though, the best way to keep your coconut sugar from drying out or forming clumps is to use it! You shouldn’t have a problem finding a use for coconut sugar in your kitchen. Whether it be a yummy Thai dish, classic chocolate chip cookies, or really anything else that calls for a sweetener – coconut sugar can be used.

What are you waiting for? Head to the kitchen, but don’t forget to let us know some of your favorite ways to incorporate coconut sugar in your cooking and baking!