How to Use Agave Nectar

Agave nectar, also called agave syrup, comes from agave plants in Mexico and South Africa. Vegan cooks use it quite often since it is not an animal byproduct. Agave nectar is about 1.5 times sweeter than sugar so when you use it, don't substitute equal amounts of agave for sugar or honey. You can find agave nectar in light, amber and dark varieties and use the sweetener in many ways.

Instructions

1. Use a small amount of agave nectar to sweeten tea and coffee drinks, iced or hot.

2. Use dark or amber agave nectar as a substitute for maple syrup. The darker agave syrups have a slight caramel flavor and taste delicious on waffles or pancakes.

3. Substitute agave nectar for about two-thirds of the required sweetener in salad dressing and sauce recipes.

4. Use agave nectar as a replacement for sweeteners in a variety of recipes. Start with half of the recipe's required sweetener and add more as necessary.

5. Experiment with baked goods and candy recipes. Many candy recipes depend on chemical reactions that require refined sugar, and baked goods might have too much moisture for an across-the-board substitution. You can experiment with agave nectar to see what works best. Start with half as much agave nectar as sugar and work from there.

References

• "Baking with Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener"; Ania Catalano, et al.; 2008
• "Naturally Nutritious - Healthy and Delicious Recipes ..."; Dr. Nicole Kurland; 2009
• "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life"; David W. Grotto; 2010
• "Going Raw: Everything You Need to Start Your Own Raw Food Diet and Lifestyle Revolution ..."; Judita Wignall; 2011