What's the difference b/w honey and agave nectar?

clevebride2006

I've always been interested in agave but never tried it. Can you sub agave for honey in recipes?

What's the difference b/w the 2? 

aamadore

I use both often, but I don't interchanged them, because honey has a more distinct pronounced flavor. I've come to use agave as a substitute for sugar in recipes with good results, and little to no change in flavor. Also, agave is vegan while honey is not.

alithebride

agave is the nectar of the same plant that tequila is made from.

honey is from bees. it's the result of whatever flower's nectar being essentially regurgitated by the bees.

darkling_glory

As PP said, they are really not interchangeable because the flavor is somewhat different. You can still do a lot of the same things with them, though.  

Honey
Comes from bees
Is thicker
Has a more unique flavor

Agave
Comes from plants (vegan)
Is a bit thinner
Has a more mild flavor   

clevebride2006

Thanks for clarifying... then what was the craze a few years back about agave nectar? I thought maybe it was b/c it was lower in sugar, but they're both high in sugar...

TPOX

clevebride2006:

Thanks for clarifying... then what was the craze a few years back about agave nectar? I thought maybe it was b/c it was lower in sugar, but they're both high in sugar...

It has a lower glycemic index, so it won't spike your blood sugar as much. 

TPOX

And, unless the flavor of honey was central to the recipe, I see no problem using agave instead of honey.

UDscoobychick

I *think* agave is like 30% sweeter than sugar, so it was a craze to replace sugar with agave to make whatever the dessert was healthier without using artificial sweeteners.

TheMorrisseys

TPOX:

clevebride2006:

Thanks for clarifying... then what was the craze a few years back about agave nectar? I thought maybe it was b/c it was lower in sugar, but they're both high in sugar...

It has a lower glycemic index, so it won't spike your blood sugar as much. 

Agave has been under fire lately because of its high fructose concenration. All very interesting!

JoBell123

alithebride:

honey is from bees. it's the result of whatever flower's nectar being essentially regurgitated by the bees.

 

mmmmm....regurgitated by the bees

That description makes it sound so appetizing LOL

TheMorrisseys

This is a reall long, but really good article on sugar as a toxin. Most of the dietitians and physicians I know stand behind the efficacy of its contents.

aliciaroset

TheMorrisseys:

TPOX:

clevebride2006:

Thanks for clarifying... then what was the craze a few years back about agave nectar? I thought maybe it was b/c it was lower in sugar, but they're both high in sugar...

It has a lower glycemic index, so it won't spike your blood sugar as much. 

Agave has been under fire lately because of its high fructose concenration. All very interesting!

Agave is highly HIGHLY processed. I don't use it.