An Introduction to Organic Agave Nectar

Organic Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that was developed in the 1990’s. The agave plant grows naturally in the desert region of central Mexico, and is harvested by the native Hnahnu Indians who live in this region. Agave is a pineapple shaped flowering plant and once the flower is removed, the center of the plant is hollowed out where the nectar is collected. This nectar is a milky-white juice and is produced by the plant for 6 to 8 months. The amount of nectar removed from the plant can be up to 8 quarts twice each day, and the product is free of herbicides and pesticides.

Once the nectar is collected, it is sent directly to a processing plant where it is filtered and an enzyme is added to convert it to a product that can be used by the human body. This process changes the nectar to a simple sugar, which is high in fructose and lower in glucose. The resulting syrup tastes similar to honey or maple syrup, and can be used to sweeten any food or drink and can replace dates, honey, or sugar in recipes. Its consistency is smoother than honey and it dissolves easily.

Agave Nectar can be found in natural food stores and many grocery stores. It can be used as a sweetener in coffee and tea, or added to baking and sauces in place of sugar. This sweetener has a long shelf life of approximately 3 years and will not crystallize, making it convenient to use. It pours easily from a bottle and will not harden.

It sweetens by about 1.4 times more than white sugar, so ¾ cup of agave nectar sweetens the same as a cup of sugar. Other uses include a sweetener in fresh fruit salads, on cereal, in fruit beverages, in jams and jellies, poured over ice cream, yogurt, and mixed in fruit smoothies.

Agave nectar comes in varieties that differ in flavor and color. Lighter colors have less flavor and are produced at temperatures less than 113 degrees. Darker colors are more intense in flavor. The darker colored nectar is a thicker consistency, and is often used in stews, in meat glazes, and in barbeque and tomato sauces.

Agave nectar is certified organic, and the growers of the plant use only natural fertilizers. The manufacturers also obtain organic and kosher certification for the way they process the natural nectar into the finished product. It is also gluten and allergen free and has a low glycemic index of 32, which is significantly lower than honey’s index of 58. The higher the glycemic index, the faster it raises your blood sugar level after consumption.

Limiting the amount of glucose in the diet is an important health concern for many groups of people, including diabetics. The serving size for agave nectar is 1 tablespoon, which is about 64 calories and contains 16 grams of carbohydrates.

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