PROSES PENGOLAHAN GULA AREN YANG BERBAHAN DASAR AIR NIRA DARI POHON ENAU

Summary

This video takes viewers through the traditional process of making **gula merah** (palm sugar) from **air nira** (palm sap). The process begins with tapping the flower clusters of **pohon enau** (palm tree) to extract the sap, followed by boiling it for several hours to create a caramelized sugar syrup. Special care is taken to prevent fermentation and burning during the boiling process, and the syrup is tested for consistency before being poured into molds. Once cooled, the sugar is ready for packaging, ensuring that it remains fresh and mold-free. The entire process highlights the careful, time-honored methods used in producing this sweet delicacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gula merah (brown sugar) is made from Nira, a sap collected from the enau tree.
• 😀 Nira is extracted by tapping the flower clusters at the base of the tree, a process that takes about one month.
• 😀 The tapping process is performed twice a week initially, then reduced to once a week, to loosen the pathways for sap flow.
• 😀 The Nira is collected twice a day, with the morning harvest typically yielding more sap than the evening one.
• 😀 The quantity of Nira harvested depends on soil fertility and tree care, with about 10 liters of sap per tree per day.
• 😀 Nira is highly susceptible to fermentation due to its sugar content, so preservation measures are necessary.
• 😀 To prevent fermentation, 1 kg of jackfruit wood chips is soaked in water and added to the Nira before boiling.
• 😀 After filtration, Nira is boiled for 4-5 hours while being regularly stirred to avoid burning and bitterness.
• 😀 To prevent overflow during boiling, crushed candlenuts or coconut oil are added to the Nira.
• 😀 Once the Nira reaches a brown color and hardens when dropped into cold water, it is ready to be molded into sugar.
• 😀 The boiled Nira is poured into bamboo or coconut shell molds and left to cool overnight before being packaged.

Q & A

What is gula merah made from?

Gula merah (palm sugar) is made from the sap of the aren tree, which is harvested from the flower stalks of the tree.

How is nira (sap) collected from the aren tree?

Nira is collected by tapping the flower stalks and loosening the channels so that the sap flows out. This process is done for about a month, with initial taps twice a week, then once a week.

Why is tapping the flower stalk necessary in the process?

Tapping the flower stalks loosens the channels in the aren tree that allow the sap, or nira, to flow out. This helps in facilitating the collection of sap.

How often is nira harvested?

Nira is harvested twice a day: in the morning and in the afternoon. The morning harvest generally yields more sap than the afternoon harvest.

What factors influence the amount of nira harvested?

The amount of nira harvested depends on the fertility of the soil and the care taken in maintaining the aren trees.

Why does nira need to be preserved from fermentation?

Nira is prone to fermentation due to its sugar content, which can spoil quickly when exposed to bacteria, leading to sourness. To prevent this, special preservation techniques are used.

What method is used to preserve the nira from fermentation?

To prevent fermentation, workers soak 1 kg of jackfruit wood chips in 1 liter of water. The water is then used in the preservation process to keep the nira from turning sour.

How long does the nira need to be boiled?

Nira is boiled for 4-5 hours, depending on the size of the cooking vessel and the heat of the fire. The boiling process needs to be done carefully to avoid burning.

What is the role of stirring the nira during boiling?

Stirring the nira during boiling helps prevent it from burning and ensures that the resulting sugar doesn’t become bitter. It also prevents the mixture from boiling over.

How can you test if the boiled nira is ready for molding?

You can test the nira by dissolving a small amount in cold water. If the nira solidifies and forms a hard texture, it is ready to be poured into molds.

What happens after the nira is ready for molding?

Once the nira is ready, it is poured into molds made from bamboo or coconut shells. The sugar is then left to cool and harden overnight before being wrapped.