I’ve used Madhave Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener liquid over the past couple years to sweeten almond drinks, tea, and cereals. I’ve found this organic agave nectar to be a pleasant alternative to table sugar and corn syrup-based sweetener products. Madhava Light Agave Nectar has 60 calories per tablespoon, and appears to equal in sweetness that of honey and pure maple syrups.
The big difference however, between Madhava Organic Agave Nectar and more typical sweeteners is its significantly lower glycemic index (GI). With a GI of between 15 and 30, this makes small amounts of agave nectar sweetener less objectionable for use by diabetics than are other carbohydrate-based sweeteners. The GI of pure maple syrup is 54; significantly higher than that for agave nectar. This means that a given amount of agave nectar triggers a lower blood-sugar spike response. Thus, there’s less of a “sugar high” than that which results from other, more highly processed sweetener products.
But, though the GI of agave nectars such as Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener is lower than that of other sugars, remember that this agave nectar is still a concentrated sugar source. Thus in my observance, this can make you crave more of it if you consume too much; just as all sugars tend to do. So use this light sweetener sparingly; its ‘healthy’ reputation notwithstanding.
Benefits, Pros, Advantages, and Features
- I’ve experienced no intestinal or stomach problems from Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener .
- The Madhava brand of light agave nectar indeed impresses the tongue as a mostly neutral, mild flavor, and has little if any aroma at all for the nose.
- This natural sweetener is clear and light amber in color; like honey but lighter. So it does not change appreciably the colors of any foods or beverages you put it in.
- Dissolves completely and quickly in hot drinks.
- This version of agave nectar requires just one stirring, as it does not tend to separate after it’s completely dissolved in beverages.
- A true lover of agave nectar since I first learned of it over a decade ago, I’m thrilled that through products such as this offering from Madhava, agave nectar is indeed moving toward mainstream distribution and sale here in the US.
- Has a thin yet syrupy consistency, slightly thicker than pure grade A maple syrup yet thinner than honey. Thus it can season pancakes with no appreciable difference in texture than pure maple syrup for example, although the flavor of agave nectar differs markedly from maple. It pours more easily than does honey.
- As this cannot honestly be considered new any longer, I’ve found it generally very easy to find in most local grocery stores. So you needn’t travel to a so-designated health food store to get it. Most stores in my area have the Madhava agave nectar these days.
Disadvantages, Cons, Problems, Limitations, and Health Concerns
- If spilled, Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener can draw bugs, just as spilled sugar or sugary syrup might. Like you would with sugar, take care during clean-up that you leave no sticky agave nectar behind that could attract ants and roaches. It’s easy to clean and quite water-soluble. So a wet dish rag effectively removes spills of agave nectar.
- It can indeed be more expensive than sugar per pound. I currently pay roughly $6 for one 23.5-ounce bottle, which lasts about a week when used exclusively to sweeten my morning tea. I’m pleased that the Madhava brand of amber agave nectar has become so widely popular.
- To adequately sweeten my tea, I find that I must use three to four tablespoons of Madhava Organic Agave Nectar Light Sweetener; unlike the liquid stevia products I use that require far less than one tablespoon. This can further drive up the cost of agave nectar as a tea sweetener and add lots of calories.
- Agave nectar consists of largely fructose sugars, which makes it a high fructose source. Manmade high fructose sugar sources have been linked with weight gain and other health problems.
Product Rating
Over all, I’m impressed with the Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar Sweetener. So I’d rate it at 90 out of 100. Too much refined sugar within however to go higher than that, but too much nutrition and uniquely intriguing agave flavor to go lower.
Where To Buy Madhava Organic Light Agave Nectar
Look for the translucent bottle with the yellow label with the orange lettering in your favorite larger grocers and health food stores. You’ll probably agree that you need sacrifice no good taste for the health benefits of agave nectar in this product.
References
- Agave Nectar on Wikipedia
- Information from Madhava about the above-discussed product
- Madhava Sweeteners Website
- Where to buy Madhava Organic Agave Nectar
Revision History
- 2015-01-27: Moved this post to the Tom’s Diet Quest blog, and tweaked the content. Adjusted ad placement, and extended the References section.
- 2014-11-30: Added whitespace, extended References section, and adjusted ad placement.
- 2012-02-27: Originally published.