5 Things you didn’t know about agave nectar

Agave nectar has quickly become one of the most popular natural sweeteners replacing sugar, but not many people know what it is. With everyone eliminating high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar, agave seems like the ideal replacement because it's all natural

But what else is there to know about agave?

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I don't use agave nectar often, but I sometimes prefer to opt for it over other spreadable sugars such as maple syrup. They go great with pancakes, to sweeten some plain yogurt, or to add to baking recipes.

However, if you are new to this sweetener, you probably have many questions about it. Not to worry, below you can find out everything you want to know about delicious agave nectar.

Tequila and agave are related: Well, not exactly, but they are derived from the Blue Agave plant which is the originator of the sweetener and your favorite booze.

It's vegan: If you are trying out vegetarianism, honey qualifies as non-vegan. Instead you can use agave for a vegan-friendly alternative.

There are two versions: There is a light and a dark type of agave nectar. The difference is the lighter one undergoes less heating when made which makes it useable in many cooking dishes. The darker is more solid and filtered less which makes it a great alternative for maple syrup.

It is low-glycemic: What concerns many people about sugar are the high-glycemic versions found in many sweet foods. Agave makes your sugar intake easier to monitor because it is naturally low-glycemic.

It is a natural healer: The agave plant was used by the Aztecs to cure any wounds their warriors had thanks to its anti-bacterial properties. It also contains a fiber known as Inulan that is supposed to help those with colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn's disease.

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