Hv u ever wondered how Gur (jaggery) is made from sugarcane.

I am sure there r various methods used in different parts of the country & there is difference between Gur made by different people – Remember the Amitabh Bacchan movie Saudagar. To see the movie pls click here.

The difference of the gur in the movie & what I am talking about is – the movie shows gur made from palm & the gur I am talking from, is from sugarcane.

We were travelling on the highway & came across many gur making factories. We just walked into a factory at random & the guys were very nice to show us strangers what they were doing & also made us taste some of the freshly made gur……mmmmmmmmmm

Step 1
The sugarcane along with its outer cover was being put into a machine to extract the juice.

Step 2
The juice was getting collected in a pit (no.1) and then transferred to pit no. 2 thru a pipe.

Step 3
Pit 2,3,4 were being heated by coal fire.

Step 4
The sugarcane juice in pit 1 & 2 was being brought to boiling point
Step 5
Then it was being transferred thru huge spoons to pit 2.
Step 6
In pit 2, ‘bhindi ka ras’ – a plant extract was being added , to purify the liquid. They were also constantly dipping a huge slotted spoon to strain out the solid impurities & throw those out

Step 7
The liquid was now transferred thru huge spoons to pit 4
Step 8
With constant heat & stirring, the liquid started becoming thicker and turning reddish brown in color.

Step 9
Using a huge spoon the guy started throwing the thick liquid on a huge stone plate. This ensured that the surface area was big but the depth of the liquid was not much.

Step 10
The liquid was solidifying soon. On one end of the stone plate, the molten gur was being put into square moulds & kept aside to cool

Step 11
The gur was being taken out of the mould & stacked , to b dispatched to the market.

We were offered a big lump of gur, to taste. We took a small lump of freshly made gur, straight out of the pit, having seen the full process of it being made. What a feeling………………..Loved it.
In case u r shocked at the lack of cleanliness – I wud suggest u to overlook it. Germs die due to the heat. Else u wud never b able to eat gur.
This factory was just an example. I have seen many that were like this.
Amazing coverage …..last post was from Australia…this is from Jhaansi..next will be from ??? I am your big fan
Very nice!! Love the photo-essay!