Agave Syrup vs. Sugar
Agave syrup comes from the heart of the agave plant, the same plant that tequila comes from. Sugar is either derived from sugarcane or sugar beets. Agave syrup is preferred by many because it has a low glycemic index and is vegan. It can easily replace sugar in baking or cooking with a few adjustments. However, it is not any healthier than sugar is. Does this Spark an idea?
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Differences
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Agave syrup is made up of between 56 and 90 percent fructose and between 8 and 20 percent glucose. Sugar, on the other hand, is made up of sucrose, which is an equal combination of fructose and glucose. Agave syrup is slightly sweeter than sugar, which means that less can be used.
Using Agave In Baking
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Agave syrup is a liquid that is thinner than honey, mild tasting and sweeter than sugar. When substituting agave syrup for granulated sugar in a recipe, several adjustments need to be made. The amount of agave syrup needed will be about half to three-quarters as much as the sugar called for in the recipe. The liquids in the recipe also need to be reduced to compensate for the addition of the agave syrup, so that the dessert does not completely fall apart. The heat of the oven should be reduced by about 25 degrees F, since agave tends to overheat and overbrown easily.
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Who Agave is Suitable For
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Vegans cannot eat honey or cane sugar, since both are derived from animals in some way: cane sugar is filtered using bone char, and honey is made by bees. Agave syrup is a suitable substitute for them for sweetening tea, coffee and in baking. Additionally, because of the low amount of glucose in agave syrup, many consider it to be better for diabetics and others looking to limit their intake of sweeteners.
Agave Considerations
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Agave syrup has become increasingly popular because it has been labeled as a health food and is considered more virtuous than sugar. However, there is debate that agave syrup may not be any more healthy for people to eat than sugar. It has 60 calories per tablespoon, which is more than sugar has. There is also concern regarding its high fructose content, which can be similar to that in high-fructose corn syrup or even higher.
Cost and Convenience
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Compared to regular sugar, agave is expensive and can be hard to obtain. While sugar may cost about 50 cents a pound, agave syrup tends to cost five dollars for 16 oz. Agave syrup used to be found only in health food stores and co-ops. It is beginning to appear on the shelves of regular supermarkets and may be on offer as a sweetener is some coffee shops, but has yet to claim the ubiquity of sugar.
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