Comments on: A Sweet Alternative

By: Shirley

Shirley — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:53:44 +0000

Hi all,… If anyone is interested, the best prices on agave syrup seem to be on amazon.com. Most of the users rave about it; diabetics say that it doesn’t raise their blood sugar. From my research, the best one for the money and the quality is:
Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Raw Blue Agave. It can get quite pricey if you don’t get it somewhere like Amazon. Hope this helps someone who wants to try it.

By: Ricki

Ricki — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:36:53 +0000

Sally,

Wow on the honey point! It makes sense, though, since agave is already sweeter than sugar, and honey is even sweeter than agave. But I’m pretty sure we’d be even on the cookie issue–no such thing as “too sweet”!

By: Sally Parrott Ashbrook

Sally Parrott Ashbrook — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:58:42 +0000

Great post–I’ve just started using agave occasionally and can definitely use guidance.

As for the honey, I’ve read it’s 3-4 TIMES sweeter than sugar, and after once trying out a 1-to-1 sugar/honey ratio in a recipe replacement, I can vouch it’s probably true. You know a cookie is killer sweet when I won’t eat it!

By: Ricki

Ricki — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:25:48 +0000

Hi Deb,

Thanks for the additional info!

I LOVE the idea of using coconut flour, but unfortunately, for those of us here in the Toronto area (I think all of Cananda, actually), coconut flour isn’t yet an option (I’m not sure about those of you in the antipodes–do you have it?). I am definitely going to buy a bag or two next time I’m in the U.S., but for now, I’ll have to make due with the substitutions.

By: Deb Schiff

Deb Schiff — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:04:06 +0000

Hey Ricki,
Thanks for your post on agave nectar. I can see a growing trend toward more people adopting it as their sweetener of choice, mainly for that lower glycemic index.
My suggestion about making recipes more 1 to 1 substitution is to use coconut flour for less than 1/3 of the flour in the recipe. Then, you don’t have to make any calculations regarding the sugar or liquids in the recipe. And, you don’t have to alter the amounts of the dry ingredients, which can have some negative side effects.
However, you definitely have to cut the power on the stove by 25 degree F because agave browns/burns much quicker than sugar does.
The other thing about coconut flour is that it adds fiber and protein to a recipe. Fiber and protein are great things for dieters like us. They keep us feeling full longer and help us meet our goals. Love your blog!

By: Ricki

Ricki — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:42:19 +0000

Hi Johanna,
Welcome! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your positive comment.

Yes, you can definitely substitute honey for agave. I’d keep three things in mind, though: 1) People have told me they find honey sweeter than agave, so you might want to use just a wee bit less honey; 2) honey has a MUCH more pronounced flavor than agave, so be aware that it may overpower some of the other flavors in the recipe; and 3) honey is acidic, so when using honey, add about 1/4 tsp. baking soda (beyond what the original recipe says) for each cup of honey you use. Other than those, the same rules would apply for honey as agave (in other words, reduce liquids or increase flour in original recipe).

In my baking, I have found that the substitutions work with varying degrees of success depending on the original recipe–so there is always a bit of experimentation involved. If you do find yourself near a health food store and see some agave, I’d highly recommend trying it, though!

By: Johanna

Johanna — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:37:16 +0000

Hi – I like your blog and am hoping to try out some of your recipes but was interested to see you posting about agave – I have seen it on recipes but haven’t felt like looking out for it at the shops til I saw your comments – but I would like to be able to recommend recipes to others who might not have it – so for me (if I am lazy) and for others, can you tell me if it possible to substitute honey rather than sugar – I had thought this was the case but am less sure when I have read your post. Thanks.