Panela - Sugar cane
Panela or rapadura is unrefined whole cane sugar, typical of Central, and of Latin America in general, which is a solid form of sucrose derived from the boiling and evaporation of sugarcane juice.
The main producer of panela is Colombia (about 1.4 million tons/year), where panela production is one of the most important economic activities, with the highest index of panela consumption per capita worldwide.
Colombia’s first sugar cane fields were planted almost 500 years ago on the wide, flat banks of the Cauca River, by the current-day city of Cali.
Even today the process is effectively the same as it was in the 16th century.
Cane is cut by hand with machetes, and pressed into a muddy green juice that is filtered and boiled, with the fiber used for fuel. The thick syrup is poured into pans and frantically stirred as it cools into a fudge-like dough that is patted into form by a pesador, someone who intuits that each panela weighs what it is supposed to.
Raw cane sugar is growing in popularity as consumers become increasingly interested in natural and unrefined food products. The most important advantage is the complexity of Panela as a nutritional and functional food due to its numerous bioactive components.
It can be used as a natural replacement for power shots and functional drinks, provides a quick energy boost, making these ingredients great for active people, especially for athletes.
Did you Know?
Panela is considered a functional food and nutriceutical. The use of Panela is first and foremost to provide a nutritional source of energy for proper bodily function. The use of Panela as a sweetener results in the flavour enhancement for food and beverages.
Our Panela is loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fibers and phytonutrients that help the body digest naturally occurring sugars.
Cane sugar contains vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which work synergistically with the minerals to nourish the body.
Panela also contains a unique mix of compounds called polyphenols, phytonutrients with powerful antioxidant properties and numerous potential health benefits.
The polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals present in cane sugar help slow down the absorption of the sugars and prevent the sharp rise in blood sugar levels associated with refined sugar.
Unlike other sugars, panela is considered a food product rather than a sweetener by the Colombian government, a significant distinction for many involved in the panela industry?
Scientific studies show the functional and health properties of NCS Panela to include:
✔️Protects teeth, preventing against teeth decay
✔️ Immunological effects
✔️Natural Antioxidant
✔️ Effective in preventing diabetes & hypertension
✔️Strengthens bones
✔️Antimicrobial effects
✔️Anticarcinogenesis properties
✔️Cytoprotective qualities
✔️Reduces iron deficiency anaemia
✔️Anti-atherosclerosis effects
✔️Affect on Blood Pressure
✔️Respiratory System Benefits
Panela has traditionally been consumed as “Agua de Panela” a hot drink for either treating common colds or for warming one up on a cold day or as a refreshing cold drink in addition to its use as a sweetener in many local dishes.
As we move forward we’ll see more people looking to eat food that has a purpose, story, and serves society and health.
Looking for opporunities?
The natural foods market is a rising market for organic certified Panela. It is the right time to penetrate with an amazing Colombian product to your country for direct consumption as a healthy alternative to centrifugal sugar albeit still marked by the lack of awareness, identity problem, and lack of scientific information concerning the health advantages for Panela.
Don't forget: Coffee loves Panela!
Coldismar.CI SAS Is Your Trusted Partner
Partnering with the right supplier is crucial for the success of your brand and business.
At Coldismar, we are one of the leading Panela suppliers in Colombia— we understand the cane sugar industry and the importance of high-quality products.
With outstanding service, superior quality, fast turns, low minimum, and scalable capacity, Coldismar.CI SAS can meet the needs of your company, regardless of size.
Unlike many other wholesale bulk Panela suppliers that only offer a limited scope of services, our wide range of services and knowledge upon the market is an opportunity!
Work with a high-quality Panela supplier to match the demands of your customers — contact us today to learn more about partnering with our company.