Want to use agave syrup as an alternative to honey but don’t know where to find it?
Agave syrup is likely to be located in the baking aisle next to sugars and alternative sweeteners such as stevia and maple syrup. However, if you do not find it there, check the natural food aisle (or health food aisle), in case the nearest grocery store near you has one.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about agave syrup, including which stores are more likely to have it in stock.
What Is Agave?
Agave is a succulent-type plant native to the dry regions of Mexico from which agave syrup/gel is made.
The syrup is produced mainly from 2 varieties of agave:
- Agave Tequilana / Azul – also famous for its use in tequila production.
- Agave Salmiana
This is a slow-growing succulent that stores sap in its core for years until it blooms before dying.
The harvest for syrup and tequila production is done just before these plants bloom, at which time their sugar content is at its peak.
After the cores (which look like a pineapple) are collected, the sap is processed, following a sequence of heating, suction, filtration, and evaporation that results in the liquid sweetener.
Agave syrups on sale in the supermarket usually contain 100% agave syrup as the only ingredient, which comes from the agave plant and is, therefore, suitable for vegans.
Currently, it is manufactured as a sweetener and is already included in several dessert recipes.
It is an alternative to honey, but it’s a bit more fluid and sweet. Other frequently used alternatives are maple syrup and molasses, which you can also find alongside agave on supermarket shelves.
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What Stores Have Agave Syrup?
Many stores should have agave syrup in stock, and most of the stores are probably no surprise to you, as they’re the biggest retailers around.
Here are the stores that are most likely to have agave syrup available:
- Amazon: Without a doubt the biggest online marketplace in the world, Amazon has a variety of agave syrups from brands such as The Raw Store, Kirkland, and Wholesome.
- Walmart:Considered the biggest retailer in the United States, Walmart is yet another place you can visit (both online and offline) for getting agave syrup. According to their website, they have brands such as Health Garden, Madhava, and Wholesome.
- Whole Foods:This list wouldn’t be complete without the biggest health food supermarket in the United States, Whole Foods. They also have agave syrup which is produced by their own 365 brands, though they also carry other brands like Madhava.
- Target:Also another retailer, Target has a variety of agave syrup brands such as Simply Balanced, In the Raw, and Tres Agaves.
- Kroger:If you have a Kroger near you, there you’ll be able to find brands of agave syrup such as In the Raw, and Simple Truth.
- Local Health Food Store: Most health food stores will contain agave syrup as it’s typically considered a healthier alternative to regular, processed sugar.
You may also be able to find agave syrup in other markets/supermarkets such as Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway, and possibly some local stores that might sell items derived from Latin America.
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Where To Find Agave Syrup In Grocery Stores?
If you’re intending to physically head to a grocery store, you will most likely find agave syrup in the baking aisle next to sugars and alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or stevia.
In case your grocery store has a health food section, you should also head there to check for agave syrup, as that’s where a lot of alternative vegan products are stocked.
There is also a chance you may be able to find agave syrup in the international aisle, as the agave plant is native to Mexico and the Caribbean.
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Ways to Use Agave Syrup
There are several ways in which you can use agave syrup, including:
- As agave syrup typically dissolves quite quickly, it is a great replacement for sugar in cold drinks, such as iced lattes and co*cktails.
- It can be used as a replacement for sugar in certain recipes like cakes, among other desserts.
- And finally, you can use it as a topping for pancakes, which is typically how I use it.
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Is Agave Healthy?
Agave syrup has been included in many recipes as a sugar substitute, however, several nutritionists have warned that it is also considered an added sugar.
To make syrup, agave is processed using heat, which alters its nutritional values and reduces its antioxidant content. As a result, it has a poor nutritional profile, with small amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Agave syrup is a carbohydrate consisting mainly of simple sugars (glucose and fructose).
One tablespoon of agave syrup has about 60 calories and 15 grams of sugars.
Because of its higher fructose content, agave syrup has less impact on blood glucose levels than most other sugars, but it is still an added sugar that should be consumed occasionally.
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Can It Make You Fat?
No single food is fattening by itself. However, there are higher-calorie foods that can contribute to an individual’s total calorie intake being greater than the calories needed by the body – resulting in weight gain.
Added sugars such as table sugar, agave, maple, etc. are considered ingredients that should only be included in any given diet occasionally as they contain too many calories while offering nothing in terms of vitamins and minerals.
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Conclusion
Fortunately, agave syrup has grown in popularity, so you can easily find it in most supermarkets/retailers/health food stores.
If you wish to find agave syrup in a grocery store near you, the best place to find it is at the baking aisle, where you will see it next to sugars and alternative sweeteners such as maple syrup and stevia.
Another option is to buy it online in online marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart, where you’re able to find a wide variety of brands available.
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