If you check out the labels on natural food products, you'll see agave syrup listed as an ingredient more and more often. Agave syrup - sometimes called agave nectar - is a natural sweetener that is marketed as a healthy alternative to processed sugars, as well as an alternative to honey, corn syrup and similar liquid sweeteners. The syrup is made from blue agave, a type of succulent, cactus-like plant that is also used in the production of tequila. The thick liquid comes in light and dark forms, the latter being unfiltered, and tastes similar to honey.
So what makes this syrup "healthier" than other sweeteners? It has a very low Glycemic Index (GI) value, so although it is noticeably sweeter than sugar, it doesn't cause the same type of "sugar rush" that other sweets do. Table sugar has a GI value of 68, on a scale from 1 to 100, while honey comes in at 55. Agave syrup has a value of around 15.
Agave syrup can be used in baked goods, with a reduction in the amount of liquid in the recipe to account for its presence. Starting with a recipe that already calls for honey and substituting it in is a good way to start, but as a general rule, you'll will need to spend some time playing around with your favorite recipes to get them to work, especially if you want to substitute it into a recipe that calls for crystallized sugars. The syrup will dissolve easily in liquids and is a good choice for sweetening iced tea or lemonade.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-18-2007 @ 10:41PM
Chef JoAnna said...
If you have to feed people who are raw foodists, they are very welcoming about this kind of sugar. I don't pay much attention to raw... but I have some of this in my cupboard and I use it to glaze scones fresh out of the oven. My husband likes it in hot tea. It is rather expensive, as sweetners go, so before you rationalize the quantity savings of a big jug, get a small container to try it. TIP: Serves best from squeeze bottles, but it's runnier than honey so use a tip with a small opening. Enjoy!
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2-19-2007 @ 12:35AM
moonablaze said...
I love agave syrup mixed into non-fat cottage cheese or plain, unsweetened yogurt. add a little cinnamon and it's amazing.
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2-19-2007 @ 5:52AM
Freya said...
I wrote an article on my blog about this last year, it really is quite the product, must admit, I haven't used it since but if I had issues with diabetes etc. I would consider replacing regular sugar with it.
http://zombiesnack.blogspot.com/2006/12/unusual-ingredient-of-week-agave-nectar.html
Great site by the way! Freya
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