Total Pageviews

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Agave: The Nectar of the Gods

Agave americanaImage via WikipediaI have a new love in the realm of food. It is a plant-based syrup-like sweetener, comparable to honey. It is known as agave nectar. For some reason, I'd been under the impression that agave is a cactus, when it is really more like the aloe plant. The nectar is gathered by cutting out a flower shoot on the plant. It can also be fermented and is used to make tequila. Just thinking about it makes me want a margarita.

Why do I love agave so much? Well, for one, it is delicious. Also, it is a little sweeter than honey or sugar and thus you use less of it (the same goes for stevia). It has a low glycemic index which means that it is absorbed slowly into your blood stream and won't dramatically spike your blood sugar.

Agave is my new sweetener of choice for food. I love to use it in my snacks such as a fruit and yogurt bowl, and it's also my favorite pancake topping. I don't have to use much to sweeten a dish. A small container of agave nectar can last a few weeks if you use it correctly. It's also a great sugar substitute for cooking and baking. I included it in some banana bread I made last week and it was incredible! I'm going to attempt some sugar-free cookies with agave soon. If they turn out well, I'll give you all a recipe to try!

Have you tried agave and, if so, how do you like it?



Enhanced by Zemanta

1 comment:

  1. I freaking love it. It really is "the nectar of the gods" as you say. I would bathe in it.

    ReplyDelete