Agave nectar is sometimes called agave syrup and comes from the agave plant, which has been a staple used by the people of Central America for millennia. While agave nectar has become a popular sweetener in the US and elsewhere in recent years, both it and the succulent plant from which it comes have a long and storied past.
Agave nectar comes from the agave sap, which is also called aguamiel.
The Aztec people considered the agave plant to be a tree of wonders, and it was used both as food and to make fibers for cloth, along with weapons and tools. One of the primary uses for a type agave called maguey was to make a drink called pulque, which is fermented agave sap. It is likely that the Olmecs also made the same drink. The Olmecs’ civilization existed before that of the Aztecs. The blue agave plant was used to make mezcal and tequila.
Today, most of the world’s agave nectar is produced in Mexico and South Africa.
Agave nectar flavor profile
All agave nectar is primarily sweet; in fact, it has 1.5 times the sweetness of sugar. There are different kinds of agave nectar, including dark and light varieties, along with a medium agave nectar. Each has a slightly different flavor.
The dark agave nectar is unfiltered and has a strong caramel note to go with its sweetness. It also contains minerals not found in the other two varieties, and that may be responsible for some aspects of its flavor profile.
The light variety of agave nectar offers a pure sweetness with no other flavor notes. The medium variety provides a balance between the light and dark varieties with a moderate caramel note.
Health benefits of agave nectar
The agave nectar in your local grocery store should not be considered a health food, but it has a few health benefits that it gets from compounds like:
- Vitamins: Agave nectar has small amounts of vitamins, including B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin, along with vitamins C and A.
- Minerals: You can get traces of certain minerals from agave nectar. It contains low levels of calcium, magnesium, and iron, along with several other important minerals.
If you consume agave nectar, you may be able to treat or prevent certain health problems like:
- Diabetes: The fructose in agave nectar releases slowly, which means that it does not cause as big a spike in blood sugar like other sweeteners. This gives it an advantage over those other sweeteners for people who have diabetes.
Health concerns
Agave nectar has a higher percentage of fructose than sugar. High fructose can increase the low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels in your blood, placing you at a higher risk of developing heart disease. While agave nectar does have a low glycemic index, the fructose it contains can still cause problems for people with diabetes. Agave nectar should be used only in moderation.
Common uses
Agave nectar can be used as an all-purpose sweetener. It works as a substitute for other general sweeteners like honey and sugar. It is often used in baking, but you will need to adjust measurements when using it as a substitute for a dry sweetener like sugar. It is best to use it as a substitute for honey or maple syrup.
Agave nectar is popular for making cocktails and beverages simply because it mixes easily into liquids even when they are cold. It is especially enjoyable in Margaritas.