A Better Sugar?

Sugar is delicious. It’s best to enjoy it sparingly because it can be harmful to your health. However, you know you’re bound to eat it (perhaps soon) and… maybe your self-control isn’t that of a saint. As a matter of fact, sugar is a flavor, and texture, enhancer which is found in more food items then commonly thought. Sugar is all over our carbohydrates; the only thing one need ask is ‘Natural?’ or ‘Added?’. And, if it is in so many of our food choices then, what type of sugar do you want to choose, natural or processed sugars?

As a natural sugar, agave is more easily metabolized by your body- which is why those with sugar sensitivities can enjoy it as well. As a sweetener, it is more potent than the majority of sugars and therefore smaller amounts of agave are sufficient to satisfy recipes.

So, the question is, if you’re going to be ingesting sugar would the preference be for something sweeter and easier on the body’s processes; or, something you require more of, to be equally as sweet, and more difficult on the body?

Why Agave??

Agave sweetener- sugar and ancient remedy...

These days, hearing about sugar substitutes and natural sweeteners is not news; but, you've got to admit, it's quite unusual to hear about a sweetener that used to be used for ancient remedies. Actually, once agave was introduced to the Americas in the 17th century it was already of use in cuisine and homeopathy.

As a food, agave is the perfect substitute for sugar. It takes less agave, than sugar, to satisfy a recipe- you require 1/3 of the sugar portion in agave; allowing for easier and smaller capacity storage space; and don't forget the benefits of a plastic container versus the brown bag of sugar. In a cocktail, sauce, dressing, jam and marinade, agave is more water soluble and blended more easily with the rest of the flavor profile. Honestly, how many times have you stood and waited till the sugar crystals disintegrated completely? And, even though no one would recommend eating too much of anything... it is less likely to cause the blood sugar levels to bounce or dizzy. Scientifically, it has been proven that agave sweetener ranks least harmful (a 27!!), as sugars go, on the glycemic index making it kinder for those sensitive to sugar.

Interestingly enough, the Aztecs were big fans of agave for its ancient properties. The sap of the agave's leaf has an ointment that can help heal wounds; the plant itself is high in fiber and assists in digestive health and weight maintenance. The fiber content cleanses the colon, intestines, and also assists a person in feeling more easily satisfied during a meal because of its natural sugars and nutritive composition.

Why not use agave in your appetizers, entrees, sauces, dressings, juices, smoothies, cocktails, and desserts?