Natural sweeteners often claim health superiority to white granulated
sugar-which is true, there are more vitamins and nutrients in
natural sweetener like maple syrup, and honey and agave are a less processed form of sugar, but remember, these natural sweeteners are processed by the body the way white sugar is-as glucose.
After
reading about Agave Nectar or Syrup I have formed the opinion that it
is a good ingredient for sweetening without adding a distinctive flavor,
has a natural source similar in harvest and processing to maple syrup
and honey, has fewer calories than honey but and like honey and other
natural sweeteners it is SUGAR by a different name.
My friend Angie makes a wonderful granola made with oats, nuts, sweetened and baked together with Agave Syrup. It tastes great, not overly sweet so the flavor of the nuts and grains are prevalent.
Angie's Agave Granola
yield 4 cups
Ingredients
1 cup shelled pistachios
1/2 cup whole cashews
1/2 cup coconut flakes
2 cups unsalted almonds
1/ cup agave syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup oats (quick, or regular)
1. Pre heat oven to 325 degrees F
2. Combine ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Mix well and spread on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Check every 5 minutes to stir the granola up on the sheet, so it all gets toaty brown.
5. Serve and enjoy plain, with yogurt, or milk.
What I learned About Agave:
Agave Nectar or Syrup comes from the Blue or Wild Agave plant, it is a succulent plant, that is often mistaken for a cactus, because it looks like a cactus! Agave grows in Mexico where the plant's juice is harvested by hand in a similar process to that of tapping maple trees to extract maple syrup, the agave juice is also used to make tequila!
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tequilasource.comShare
Acres of Blue Agave plants in the fields at La Cofradia distillery
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Like maple syrup Agave syrup can be found in different grades; Light, Amber and Raw. Light grades are ideal for sweetening tea, and granola without adding a distint flavor like honey or maple syrup. Amber grades have richer agave flavor and are better suited for adding to heavier sauces like homemade bbq. Agave is gluten free and has a lower glycemic index that honey. Glycemic index is measurement of how much a food affects your blood sugar levels after consuming it- a big concern for diabetics. Otherwise, it is almost identical nutritionally to other sweeteners.
Agave, like anything else you consume it should be done so in moderation. Use Agave when making things like granola, remember you can use a little less of it than white sugar-but don't forget that it is sugar (it's okay to have it in moderation!)
Compare the nutritional information of a teaspoon of Agave syrup and a teaspoon of granulated sugar, they are almost identical. Agave syrup claims to be 25% sweeter than sugar so a little goes a longer without more calories.
Nutritional Info for Agave Nectar
Nutritional Facts
for 1 teaspoon:
Calories 20
% daily value based on a
2000 calorie diet:
Fat 0g/0%, Trans Fats 0g/0%,
Sodium 0g/0%, Protein 0g/0%,
Total Carbohydrates 5g/5%
Sugars (75% natural fructose) 5g
http://www.squidoo.com/agavenectarGranulated Sugar |
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What alternative sweeteners do you use when cooking?
