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Agave Syrup
Page 2: How It’s Made, How To Use It

How Agave Nectar/Agave Syrup Is Made

While some agave syrups are made from a combination of agave plants, the best are 100% Weber Blue Agave—a species with a higher carbohydrate content, which results in a high percentage of fructose (as opposed to sucrose) in the final nectar (and a sweeter nectar). Fructose is a lower glycemic sugar than sucrose (which is table sugar—see our Sugar Glossary).

At the base of the plant is the core/heart known as the “piña”—because it looks like a huge white pineapple. It grows half above ground and half below, and can weigh from 50 to 150 pounds; the plant takes 8 to 10 years to mature). The piñas are harvested by a specialist called the jimador.

The piña is used to make both agave syrup and tequila.

• In the case of tequila, the piña hearts are split open and steamed in large pressure cookers.
• The liquid that results is fermented in steel tanks and then distilled. This silver or “blanco” tequila is then distilled to achieve 80 proof.
• It is then bottled or aged in oak barrels to create a reposado or an añejo tequila. (Here’s more about the types of tequila.)

• To make agave syrup, the piña is chopped up to release the juices, which are filtered and heated at a low temperature, then bottled. Heating breaks down the carbohydrates into sugars.
• Because the processing takes place at temperatures lower than 118°F, agave syrup is regarded as a raw food.

Another benefit: agave syrup is lighter and less sticky than honey or maple syrup. It pours easily out of the bottle.

How can you best use agave syrup/agave nectar?

The article continues below. below.

INDEX OF REVIEW

This is Page 1 of a two-page review. Click on the black links below to visit other pages:

• Page 1: Agave Nectar Overview
• Page 1: Agave “Starter” Products
• Page 2: Agave Nectar Production
• Page 2: How To Use Agave Nectar
• Read Our Review Of Agave Dream, A
  Line Of Ice Cream & Dessert Sauces
  Sweetened With Agave Nectar

MORE TO DISCOVER

• THE NIBBLE’s Honey & Sugar Section
  Product reviews, recipes and more.
• More Top Pick Of The Week Sweeteners
• Glossary: Types Of Sweeteners
• Glossary: Artificial Sweeteners
• Article #2: Check Your Herbs & Spices
  Out with the old, in with the new: Every January, check your dry seasonings for freshness. Here’s how.
• COOKING VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Jacques
  Torres’ Chocolate-Covered Cornflakes
  These will be a hit at your Super Bowl party.
• RECIPES: Bloody Mary Variations
  From a BLT Bloody Mary with bacon to a Bloody Maria, start the year off with this healthy cocktail. (Well, maybe hold that bacon garnish.)

How To Use Agave Syrup

First remember that agave syrup is 25% to 50% sweeter than sugar, so start by using less of it. You’ll get to know how much you like in your beverages and in recipes.

Next, it’s important to know that agave syrup is available in light, amber, dark and raw varieties.

• Light agave syrup has a mild, almost neutral flavor, although some brands taste like very light honey. It is best used to sweeten delicate foods like fruit salad, and beverages. Raw agave syrup is similar in flavor, and guarantees raw foodists that the natural enzymes are protected.
• Amber agave syrup has a caramel flavor, and is therefore used in foods and drinks with stronger flavors.
• Dark agave nectar has stronger caramel notes and imparts a distinct flavor to dishes. It’s best as a pancake syrup, in marinades and glazes and in desserts that should be enhanced with a caramel-brown sugar sweetness.

Unlike honey, agave syrup doesn’t crystallize!

Here are our favorite ways to use agave syrup.

• In Any Beverages. Agave nectar dissolves equally well in hot and cold beverages, including cocktails.
• As A Syrup. Use agave as an alternative to sugar- and corn syrup-based syrups. Dark agave syrup is our favorite on pancakes, waffles, French toast and anyplace you’d sprinkle brown sugar.
• Cereals. We used to douse both hot and cold cereal with no-calorie Splenda. Concerned with the unknown long-term effect of this processed product, we went “natural” and now use a squeeze of  light agave syrup.
• Cooking & Baking. Substitute 1/4 cup of agave for 1 cup of sugar. You may need to experiment since agave is liquid and may change the cooking times and textures. VegFamily.com suggests the following:
  (1) If you substitute agave for sugar in a recipe, use 2/3-3/4 the original amount of sweetener.
  (2) Decrease the original liquid in the recipe by 25% to 33% (thus, if a recipe calls for one cup of sugar and one cup of milk, add only 2/3-3/4 cup agave syrup andy 3/4 cup milk).
  (3) Agave, like honey, will burn more easily than sugar, so decrease the oven temperature by about 25°F.