Consumers seek natural sugar alternatives due to health concerns. Honey, agave nectar, rice syrup, maple syrup, date sugar, birch sugar, and stevia are some of the options available.
Some consumers try to avoid sugar because they believe it has a negative impact on human health. However, life without sweeteners seems quite boring to many, as human beings have a sweet tooth. While there are artificial alternatives to sugar such as aspartame, some consumers prefer to avoid these as well, as they may be linked to health problems. Fortunately, there are several natural alternatives that are extracted from plants or harvested in other ways. Some of these sugar alternatives are healthy dietary choices as well.
One of the most commonly used alternatives to sugar is honey, a product made by bees from plant nectar. When bees make honey, they convert the sugars in plant nectar into a usable form, a thick, golden to amber liquid that is very sweet and rich. Honey, however, is also relatively high in calories, which is sometimes a concern for people who avoid sugar due to its high calorie content.
For people who are concerned about calories, agave nectar is a good choice. Like many other sugar alternatives, it’s actually sweeter than sugar and should be used in smaller amounts; about a third of a cup of agave nectar will replace a cup of sugar. The flavor is similar to honey and can be used in a variety of cooking processes. Consumers concerned about environmental deprivation should seek out sustainably harvested agave, as the plant is in high demand.
Another liquid alternative to sugar is rice syrup, which is made from cooked and fermented rice. Brown rice is often used, creating a rich, nutty sweetener with a mild, creamy flavor. Rice syrup can be used in a wide variety of dishes, though the flavor doesn’t always sit well with baked goods, so cooks should taste and experiment with it before using it in abundance. Maple syrup is also a usable alternative, although the strong flavor may make it unsuitable for some cooking.
There are several dry sugar alternatives as well, including date sugar, a sugar made from grinding dates. Date sugar can be used for baking just like regular sugar. In some regions, birch sugar, also called xylitol, is also available. Xylitol is a compound also found in many other plants and fruits. Finally, stevia, an extract from a sweet-leaved plant that is extremely sweet, is available in both powder and liquid form. About a teaspoon of calorie-free stevia will replace a cup of sugar.
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