Abstract Background Palms are being around human habitation for more than five thousand years. These trees are distributed globally between 25° N and 25° S of the equator and utilized for many household purposes. Every single inch of the tree is utilized without being wasted that serves as the foundation of the arcadian economy and hence known as the “trees of life”. Scope and approach This review addresses the types of palm trees on which the sap collection is practiced and methods used to collect the sap are also elucidated. Additionally, the value added products made from the sap, processing techniques and the economics involved in sustenance of marginal farmers and the health benefits of consuming the sugary sap are also covered in this review. Key findings and conclusion The data available on palm sap utility are region specific and scattered in the vast ocean of literature. A more in-depth understanding of the chemical constituents, microflora and economics would help to identify suitable preservation method of the palm sap. The sap harvested from the palm trees is rich in sugars, essential amino acids and vitamins, that being so it is consumed as an energy drink by the rural and sub-urban population. In urban area the major hurdles to promote this industry at a larger scale is the general notion of considering the sap as an alcoholic drink, the limitations in marketability due to lack of preservation techniques and lack of awareness among people