The Masarang Foundation was founded 20 years ago in 2001 by Dr Willie Smits.
For over thirty years Smits, has been working for the conservation of endangered primate species such as the orangutan. During this time he has expanded into related areas including sustainable agriculture, reforestation and forest monitoring.
Masarang’s mission is to find solutions for the most urgent global problems of our time: deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, poverty and underdevelopment.
The activities of Masarang take place in Indonesia but they play a regional and global role. After all, the environmental problems in Indonesia have an impact on Singapore and on the entire planet. Ongoing deforestation is leading to massive carbon dioxide emissions with great consequences for climate change and the environment. Masarang is tackling these issues at their heart and works to find sustainable solutions which will work long-term.
Dr Willie Smits built a sugar factory in North Sulawesi with the support of the Indonesian Government. This factory is powered by residual steam from a geothermal (green) power plant, meaning that the energy used does not damage the environment. The factory collects the sap from the palms and turns it into a sugar with very special properties. Not only is the product eco-friendly and fair-trade, the sugar also has more flavour than white sugar and is much healthier. While sugar can easily lead to obesity and diabetes, the palm sugar does not. Part of this remarkable feat is caused by the slow absorption in the blood which prevents an unhealthy rise of blood sugar levels and enables energy to be gradually released. Also, the sugar contains anti-oxidants, amino acids and vitamins which have a positive effect on one’s health. Willie has been responsible for creating the process which is used to produce the sugar.
The Arenga tree is also an important environmental conservation tool. The Masarang foundation provides a livelihood to aborigines who tap the palm sugar, helping them resist the option to sell forest land to corporations that bring about large scale deforestation.
The palm sugar is sold and marketed in Singapore by Straits Wholefoods. https://straitswholefoods.com
Masarang Arenga Forest Sugar is a delicious, USDA certified organic, low- glycemic sugar tapped from the Arenga Pinnata.
It is the healthiest choice of sweeteners that is mineral rich and has lower glycemic load than cane sugar and honey. It is versatile and can be used to replace cane sugar in recipes. It has a naturally creamy caramel taste and a heavenly aroma.
Straits Wholefoods Organic Masarang Arenga Forest Sugar (300g)
