Jaggery (gur) – is un-refined juice of the sugarcane that has been simply dried, often in the sun. It comes in lumps like rocks or blocks. You can find it crushed into a powder but often (not always) it has additives that it best avoided if possible. Only Indian or asian stores will stock it.  A good alternatives is rapadura (an industrial version with still un-refined). It is dark brown to red in colour. Palm sugar is similar but from the palm or coconut tree. Brown sugar is a final compromise.

It is strengthening, building and high in minerals (especially iron) and  vitamins. It is used as a medicine inits only right by Ayurveda.