Agave syrup instead of sugar: product description, price, reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Mexico is the birthplace of the blue agave, from which the world-famous drink tequila is made. Juice for its preparation is obtained from large fruits of the plant, reaching 90 kilograms in weight. Now more and more often this drought-resistant plant is grown in domesticated conditions. Blue agave is used not only to make tequila, but also to make a delicious and he althy syrup.

Description of agave syrup

Agave syrup, or nectar, appeared on the shelves of domestic stores relatively recently, but immediately received recognition from supporters of a he althy diet. Later, he was also appreciated by those who are actively fighting overweight.

Blue agave syrup has a fairly simple production technology. For its preparation, juice is first extracted from the fruits of the plant. Then it is heated to a certain temperature and slowly evaporated until a thick, viscous consistency is obtained, which is inherent in most syrups. The shade of nectar also depends on the duration of heat treatment. Available in light yellow, amber to dark brown.

The consistency of agave syrup is very similar to honey. But the taste of nectar is a little different, special. Sweet syrup has a brightpronounced creamy taste with pleasant hints of caramel. It is good both as an independent product and as one of the ingredients in desserts and pastries.

Chemical composition

Agave syrup contains a large amount of essential vitamins: A, group B, E, K, PP. It also contains many important minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium and manganese. Such a rich composition allows the use of agave syrup as an effective immunomodulatory agent. It is not only natural, but also a he althy sugar substitute.

Fructose in the composition of nectar helps to speed up metabolism, remove toxins from the body. When consumed in large quantities, the syrup has a laxative effect on the body. It is recommended for people suffering from constipation.

Agave syrup contains no protein, less than 1 gram of fat, 75 grams of carbohydrates.

Calorie content and glycemic index

Calorie agave syrup is 310 kcal per 100 grams. This is even less than that contained in regular sugar - 370 kcal. And that's not the only benefit of nectar from the agave plant.

Its juice has a glycemic index of about 20-27 units. Such a low value of the indicator is explained by the composition of the product. It contains 90% low glycemic fructose and 10% glucose. That is why agave syrup is positioned as a diabetic product. For comparison, sugar has a glycemic index of 70.

Benefits and harms

Thanksrich in vitamin and mineral composition, agave syrup is very beneficial for the body. It even has a number of advantages over other sweeteners.

1. Agave syrup is sweeter than sugar. And this means that, despite almost the same calorie content, it should be added to dishes or drinks in smaller quantities. Careful care for the figure and dental he alth is guaranteed.
2. For people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, agave syrup is a safe sweet. This is explained by the content of inulin in the composition of nectar - a polysaccharide that helps reduce cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood. Organic matter has the same sweet taste as fructose.
3. Agave nectar has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the presence of fructose, the syrup is effective for constipation. It gently cleanses the body of toxins. Inulin in the composition of the syrup acts as a prebiotic. It helps to increase the number of lacto- and bifidobacteria in the intestines.
4. Agave juice removes not only toxins, but also excess fluid from the body. Therefore, it will be useful for diets.
5. The rich vitamin and mineral composition of the product provides excellent prevention of viral diseases and strengthens the immune system.

Agave syrup has virtually no contraindications, but its use should be limited:

• allergy sufferers;
• women planning a pregnancy, as the juice of the plant negatively affects the production of eggs;
• overweight people.

Excessive consumption of nectar can lead to rapid weight gain, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Contraindications to the use of syrup are diseases of the liver and gallbladder, type 1 diabetes and diseases associated with impaired hormone production.

What is the difference between dark and light agave syrup?

The color of the agave syrup may vary depending on the cooking time. The longer the nectar is evaporated, the thicker and darker it becomes. The taste of the product of different colors is also not the same.

The light syrup is more like flower honey. It has a mild, slightly caramel flavor. It can be added to cold cocktails or to ice cream. Dark nectar is used in the preparation of sauces or marinades for main courses. It will make the taste of the dish more piquant and interesting. Amber-colored agave syrup is suitable for pastries and other confectionery products. They replace sugar in traditional recipes.

Customer Reviews

Agave syrup has not yet become widespread in Russia. But buyers who have tried it do not forget to leave reviews about the product. Positive comments confirm that the syrup:

• has a natural composition;
• saving because it's sweeter than sugar;
• does not have a pronounced taste and is suitable for cooking not only desserts, but also second courses;
• low glycemic;
• safe sweet for sick peoplediabetes.

Customers like both the taste of the product and its effect on the body.

Agave syrup, reviews of which are mostly positive, are still not appreciated by all buyers. They note such shortcomings:

• high price for low volume;
• thickens when cold, and it becomes very difficult to squeeze it out of the bottle.

Positive reviews outnumber negative comments, which means the syrup is one of the best sugar substitutes on the market.

Natural agave syrup: price

One of the drawbacks of agave syrup is the price. Not everyone can afford to buy this product, despite all its positive taste and useful qualities. On average, the price for a small bottle of 300 ml is 400-500 rubles. Compared to the cost of sugar, this is a lot. And even though agave syrup is sweeter, it still turns out quite expensive.

The best option for buying nectar is to order it in foreign online stores. In this case, you can save at least a hundred rubles and get a natural product made directly in Mexico.

Use of syrup in cooking

Agave syrup is a real sweetener. It is added to tea and coffee, used instead of sugar in the preparation of other hot and cold drinks, various cocktails, jelly, compotes.

The syrup contains glucose, which is the main componentfermentation reactions. And this means that such juice can easily replace sugar in the preparation of rich pastries and other confectionery products. It is only necessary to correct the classic recipe, taking into account the taste qualities of the syrup extracted from the agave plant. Its juice is one and a half times sweeter than sugar. Thus, syrup should be added to the recipe 1.5 times less. If the list of ingredients says 1 cup of sugar, then you need 2/3 cup or even ½ cup of agave juice.

Agave syrup is a tasty and he althy alternative to sugar. Using it instead of sugar for tea and in cooking when cooking, you can improve your well-being, strengthen your immune system and easily lose a few extra pounds.