Origin, benefits and uses of Agave Syrup on the food industry

Part of traditional Mexican medicine for thousands of years, the modern world is quickly catching up on Agave Syrup. The many benefits of this natural sweetener have recently sparked attention in the food supplement and food industries, as consumer demand for plant-based, healthy ingredients grows consistently. 

Learn everything you need to know about this ingredient and how companies are incorporating this natural ingredient into their catalogues through this brief guide.

Where does Agave Syrup come from?

Agave Syrup (also known as agave nectar) is a natural ingredient obtained from the agave plant. This plant species is native to the red volcanic soils of Central and Western Mexico, and thrives at high altitudes, being able to populate thousands of acres of land. 

Over 200 species of agave exist, with Agave Tequilana Weber (or Blue Agave) being the most well known of them, as it’s used in the production of tequila.

Agave Syrup is the other well-known byproduct of the agave plant and consists of a vegan, naturally-occurring sweetener. With a slightly thinner consistency than honey, it’s derived from the sap of the agave plant and typically presents a brown colour.

How is Agave plant grown?

Agave plants must grow between 4 and 7 years in order to be mature enough to be harvested and then incorporated into the production of Syrup. The harvesting process is entirely manual and traditionally done by the Jimadores, local experts on agave plants and their harvesting process.

 

 

Benefits (based on scientific articles) 

While its benefits were well known for traditional practitioners for thousands of years, the modern scientific community has also confirmed some of these outstanding benefits. 

The main science-backed advantage of this ingredient is its capacity to act as a sweetener that presents a very low glycemic index, as shown by Velázquez Ríos et al. This translates into a better uptake of glucose in blood, and has resulted in Agave Syrup being recommended for certain cases in the diabetic population, helping them control their blood sugar. 

Another article published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed how agave nectar helped to reduce health problems associated with obesity. Other scientifically-proven benefits cited in Espinosa-Andrews et al. include the promotion of beneficial bacteria and facilitating calcium absorption. 

Additionally, research carried out by Velázquez Ríos et al.  showed the significant amounts of antioxidative components present in this sweetener.

Uses of Agave Syrup 

Agave Syrup and Blue Agave syrup are employed as a versatile ingredient across a number of industries, including the food, beverage, pharma and food supplement sectors.

Its main claim is being a natural sweetener that presents a low glycemic index. 

 

 

Properties and characteristics

• Its composition includes monosaccharides: fructose (around 80%) and some glucose (around 20%). Table sugar or simple syrup, by comparison, contains 50% fructose and 50% glucose
• Water, and small amounts of carbohydrates, fat, polyols, vitamins and minerals are also included
• It’s considered to be 1,3x sweeter than refined sugar
• It acts as a natural sweetener alternative and a flavour enhancer, providing a pleasant taste for multiple types of food
• It presents a 5 times lower glycemic than sugar. Its GI is 15
• It’s vegan
• Does not change but enhances the flavour of final product
• Organic agave syrup and organic blue agave are GMO free
• Presents great hygroscopicity
• Can be found in a wide variety of colours

FAQs about Agave Syrup

How much agave syrup for sugar?

It is 1.3x sweeter than sugar, so that one tablespoon contains 15 grams of sugar.  That means, in a standard recipe, 2/3 cup of Agave Syrup is used to one cup of white or brown sugar. All other liquids can be reduced by ¼ cup.

How many calories in agave syrup?

There are 310 calories in 100g, or 60 calories in one tablespoon. This is less than calory intake in sugar, which is 382cal per 100g of sugar. 

How long does agave syrup last?

Typically, the product must be consumed within 24 months from production date.

How to store agave syrup?

It must be kept in a tightly-closed container and stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place that is protected from light. Temperatures should not exceed 30ºC and the product should not be frozen in order to maintain its qualities. 

 

Agave Syrup in the Food and Food Supplement Industries 

It has been embraced as a desired natural ingredient in the food, beverage and food supplement industries for its flavour-enhancement, sweetness and its other pleasant sensory features. 

As innovation becomes more important across the food supplement sector, companies have seen how the inclusion of organic agave syrup gives a touch of quality and originality to their product catalogue.

In fact, it is recognised by the EFSA, and included in its Fruit vegetable other products table.

Main uses

• Food industry: Sweet Spreads, Yoghurt, Syrups, Beverage Concentrates, Cold Cereals, Cream, Plant-Based Ice Cream, Candy, Toffee, Salad Dressings, Marinades, Sauces, Curds, Flavoured Milk.

 

 

• Pharma, nutraceutical and food supplements: Sleep Aids, Vitamins & Dietary Supplements, Gummies, Royal jelly vials, Oral Spray, Medicated Confectionery.

 

 

• Beverages: Cocktails and Mocktails, Colas, Juices, Coffee, Tea.

 

Why are the food and food supplements industries using agave syrup?

• Presents a sweetener alternative with a better uptake of glucose, so that it can help prevent diabetes. In fact, it helps in reducing glucose and sucrose contents, a key concern for increasingly informed consumers
• Less quantities of it can be used for the same sweetening effect than other traditional sweeteners, as it’s approximately 30% sweeter than refined sugar
• Enhances texture and colour for products
• Improves taste of products without significantly changing it
• Increases products’ shelf life due to its moisture-retention capacities. It thus acts as a natural preservative
• Presents a high solubility, being compatible with a wide range of different food products and beverages

In order to access these health benefits, companies must opt to buy raw organic agave syrup, and avoid highly processed, less healthy versions of this natural ingredient.

HoneyGreen’s Agave Syrup 

At HoneyGreen+, we work to become reliable suppliers of high-quality natural ingredients. As such, our portfolio includes bulk organic agave syrup.

Our wholesale agave syrup follows strict controls and tests in order to guarantee a high-quality product that enhances our clients’ portfolios and helps them encourage their final consumers’ move to a healthier lifestyle. 

Our Organic Blue Agave Tequilana Weber syrup is 100% pure nectar extracted from the Agave Tequilana Weber plant. 

With a certified Mexican origin (Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán Nayarit y Tamaulipas), this agave syrup in bulk comes in various formats, including 285 kg drums, 25 Kg pail and 1380kg IBC.

Want to learn more about our blue Agave Syrup and how to incorporate this ingredient to your catalogue? Get in touch with our team and ask for a personalised quote, or download our corporate presentation to learn more about HoneyGreen+.