If we want to eat healthy, we must avoid eating too much sugar.
But if, like me, you are an inveterate gourmet, doing without the sweet taste is quite difficult!
So what is the solution to replace refined white sugar with a natural substitute?
A friend made me taste the agave syrup and I must tell you that I was pleasantly surprised.
It is often recommended to replace honey, especially by vegans.
Moreover, it is very similar to it in its texture. But is it really a recommendable sugar substitute?
I did my little investigation! Here are the benefits, advantages, limits and uses of agave syrup . Watch:
Agave is a type of succulent that grows in warm areas, including Mexico.
Agave syrup is a natural sweetening product that can easily replace sugar.
It is extracted from different species of Mexican agave including blue agave.
You know, it's the one used to make tequila and mescal!
To obtain the juice, the heart of the plant is removed just before flowering.
The sap is collected there, which is then dehydrated by heating to produce a thick syrup rich in sugar.
Until recently, agave syrup was only found in organic stores, it is now available in supermarkets or online.
Agave juice was already used by the Aztecs as food and medicine.
This product, even if it is industrially produced, has advantages that make it interesting as a substitute for sugar and honey.
Depending on the cultivation method, agave syrup contains a lot of minerals and trace elements.
Much more than refined sugar.
It has a higher sweetening power than white sugar, but contains fewer calories.
Which is a good thing when you're on a diet.
As it is well soluble, agave syrup is ideal for sweetening hot or cold drinks, or desserts.
Unlike other thick juices that are sometimes very strong, this syrup is largely tasteless.
But know that the darker it is, the more flavor it has.
Although agave syrup is a natural product, it is processed industrially.
Agave syrup, unlike beet sugar, is not a local product that comes from France.
Growing demand leads to the development of large monocultures in Mexico.
Its production and transport do not place it among the most eco-responsible products...
Note that there is also agave syrup from Algeria, which is still less far than Mexico.
Next, due to its high fructose content, agave syrup is not suitable for people with fructose intolerance.
According to studies, excessive consumption can have a negative effect on the metabolism and promote a risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
If you choose agave syrup as a sweetener, count 75 g of syrup to replace 100 grams of sugar.
Why ? Because the sweetness of agave syrup is greater than that of sugar.
However, crystalline sugar improves the consistency of pastries and cakes, syrup is not necessarily suitable for this.
On the other hand, it is recommended as a vegan alternative to honey.
Or to sweeten drinks, desserts and other rather liquid dishes due to its good solubility.
It holds up very well to cooking. And its use is interesting in baked desserts.
If you are looking for healthy alternatives to replace refined sugar, agave syrup is an alternative solution.
Agave syrup can be used as an occasional sweetener as part of a balanced diet.
It is concentrated and replaces sugar in a much healthier way.
However, due to its high fructose content and large ecological footprint, it is often criticized.
There are often regional alternatives that are more suitable and less polluting, such as apple syrup or honey.
To discover: How to Replace Sugar With Honey? The Essential Cooking Guide.
Agave syrup can be found in most supermarkets. Or organic stores.
But be careful:choose fair trade and organic agave syrup!
To buy now, we recommend this one.
