Understanding the Difference Between Palm Sugar and CoconutSugar In Indonesian kitchens, palm sugar and coconut sugar are two familiar natural sweeteners. They’re inseparable from many traditional dishes and drinks — from kolak, rujak, and sayur asem to cakes and even modern coffee latte with palm sugar. Many people think palm sugar (gula aren) and coconut sugar (gula merah) are the same. It’s understandable …