This is going to be our toughest food fight yet! Two natural sweeteners pitted against each other – it’s a very difficult decision.
Agave
Most agave nectar is produced from the blue agave plant grown in desert regions like the hilly areas in Mexico. The syrup is extracted from the “honey water” found at core of the plant, filtered, heated and then processed to make it into thicker nectar you see at the store. This makes agave a good sweetener for vegans (who don’t eat honey).
Agave nectar has a dark amber color, but has a more neutral flavor than honey. One tablespoon of the sweetener has about 60 calories compared to about 45 and 60 in the same amount of granulated sugar and honey, respectively. It’s 1 ½ times sweeter than sugar and so you can use less of it. Agave easily dissolves in cold liquids like smoothies and iced tea and can be used to replace granulated sugar in baked products (see instructions below). Many food manufacturers also use agave nectar in products like energy drinks and bars because of its light flavor and over-hyped nutritional benefits.
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I keep a squeeze bottle of honey on my counter right next to the olive oil, salt and pepper because I reach for it so often. Explore the countless ways to use this natural sweetener in your kitchen.
So Many Ways to Love
A light drizzle on toast can turn a piece of bread into a spectacular breakfast – honey is that special. The best part about this finger-licking treat is how the different varieties take on the characteristics of the flowers they were cultivated from.
Use mild acacia honey for fruit salad, clover for tea or coffee drinks, orange blossom for cakes and cookies or lavender for sauces and salad dressings.
For everyday use, my favorite honey is from my local farmer– the clean and lightly floral flavor is second to none.
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- Giada's Earl Grey Iced Tea
Celebrate National Iced Tea month this June by stirring up a batch of this summer favorite. We’ll tell you how to sweeten this classic drink without going overboard on sugar.
Enjoy your tea with less sugar »
During holidays or big family gatherings, the adults sip on wine or cocktails and the kids drink juice, but my 7-year-old son complained that he wanted something more (and I refuse to buy soda). That’s how this cranberry spritzer was born.
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Even with loads of fresh produce coming into season now, you still need to keep your pantry stocked with some go-to staples. In addition to standards like brown rice and whole-wheat pasta, here are some other pantry must-haves that are affordable, healthy and easy to find.
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Dana and I took a trip to New York City’s Union Square Farmers’ market last year and stopped at the honey booth to watch the bees climb all over each other. After inquiring with local beekeepers, we realized there is more to this sweet natural treat than bees.
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