many typical recipes, although production of panela in the country dropped precipitously across the 20th century. Health claims Panela manufacturers and advocates claim the substance to be healthier than refined sugar, suggesting it has immunological benefits, a lower glycemic index, and higher micronutrient content. As the authors of The Ultimate Guide to Sugars and Sweeteners point out, "it's still sugar", with only a trace amount more vitamins and minerals, and little research to support other claims. Patent In May 2019, the following patent was issued, claiming health benefits achieved by a particular method of processing raw sugarcane: National Panela Pageant The National Panela Pageant takes place in the town of Villeta, Cundinamarca, in Colombia. This town is famous for its production of sugarcane, but the festivities occur in almost all national departments of Colombia in January of each year. Villeta is located from Bogota and has 37,300 inhabitants. The festival has been celebrated since 1977 as a tribute to the hard work and craftsmanship with which the people of the region make panela. It creates a sense of regional and national unity and the sharing of a common bond. Each year, a National Queen is crowned, on the basis of beauty, popularity, and knowledge about the production and marketing of panela. Gallery See also Caramelization Palm sugar Papelón con limón, a drink made with panela Peen tong, a Chinese slab brown sugar and sugar candy References External links Agriculture in Colombia Colombian cuisine Economy of Colombia Ecuadorian cuisine Food technology Latin American cuisine Mexican cuisine Sugars Sugar production