Paing Toddy Sugar Shop, Nyaung-U, Bagan

Jaggery has been made from toddy palm juice in the central plains of Bagan since ancient times. Jaggery tourism is emerging as a new attraction in and around Bagan and most groups visiting Mount Popa will stop on the way at one of the many toddy juice units lining the road.

Palm tapper praying to the spirit of the palm tree.

Palm tapper climbing the palm tree.

Palm tapper tapping the palm tree.
Typically the sap is collected from the cut flower of the palm tree.

A container is fastened to the flower stump to collect the sap.
The white liquid that initially collects tends to be very sweet and non-alcoholic before it is fermented.

Simple liqueur distillation.
Palm wine may be distilled to create a stronger drink.

Boiling palm sap to make traditional palm sugar.
Palm sugar is produced by boiling collected sap until it thickens.

The boiled sap can be sold as palm syrup. It is sold in bottles or tins and tends to thicken and crystallise over time.
The boiled sap can also be solidified and sold as bricks or cakes.