Palm sugar is an unrefined sugar made from the flower sap of the coconut palm tree. It is considered a healthier alternative to other sugars because it is minimally processed. Palm sugar is deeply earthy with rich notes of caramel, butterscotch, and coconut. It is ubiquitous in Southeast Asian cuisine as an ingredient for flavorful curries, sauces, and stir-fry dishes such as pad thai. Palm sugar is essential in adding complexity, flavor, and sweetness to many desserts, drinks, and foods. Gula djawa is a sweeter variant made from date palm trees that have a molasses-like earthiness and flavor.