Date molasses is a unique delicacy handcrafted using a century-old process. Skilled professionals in the villages of Bengal make it possible for us to enjoy the unique taste of date molasses made from fresh date syrup. The juice is heated to thicken and harden it, resulting in various types of molasses.
To collect the date juice, earthen pitchers are hung on the trunk of each date tree in the afternoon and collected the next morning. After boiling the juice, the maker pours it into a container, and finally, the produced molasses is measured and made ready for sale.
“Patali Gur” is a solidified Patali Gur made from liquid date jaggery, used in various desserts and Bengali sweets. It is a labour of love crafted by those who climb date trees at dawn to bring down the precious juice pot.
Humans have enjoyed honey since prehistoric times. Sweetness helped ancient humans assess potential foods, offering a competitive advantage. Ancient civilizations like Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China experimented with sweets. In India, sweets are offered to God and distributed to devotees. Molasses production dates back to 500 B.C.E. and later travelled to Europe. In England, "comfits" originated modern confectionery. Sugar was a prestigious status symbol, and owning it was a sign of wealth. Sugar provides essential energy and aids in fat storage, and it stimulates our brain's reward system. From honey-seeking cave dwellers to modern-day confectionaries, we have come a long way in our love for sweets.
