What is citrus agave blend?

Citrus agave blends have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy sweetener alternative. As the name suggests, these blends combine the flavors of citrus fruits with agave nectar. But what exactly are citrus agave blends, and what benefits do they offer compared to traditional sweeteners? This article will explore the details of citrus agave blends, from how they’re made to how to use them in recipes.

What is Agave Nectar?

Before diving into citrus agave blends specifically, it helps to understand what agave nectar is. Agave nectar comes from the agave plant, which is native to Mexico. To produce agave nectar, the juice is extracted from the plant and then filtered and heated to break down its components into simple sugars.

Agave nectar has a neutral, mildly sweet flavor. It consists of 76-90% carbohydrates, primarily in the form of fructose and glucose. Compared to table sugar, it has a lower glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t spike blood sugar levels as quickly. It also has a thinner consistency more similar to honey or maple syrup than regular sugar.

Benefits of Agave Nectar

Here are some of the key benefits of using agave nectar:

• Low glycemic index – Won’t dramatically spike blood sugar
• Neutral, mildly sweet taste
• Vegan – Made from plants, not bees
• Low in calories – About 60 calories per tablespoon
• Doesn’t need refrigeration after opening

Due to its neutral flavor and sweetening properties, agave nectar has become popular for sweetening drinks, baking, and more. It can replace sugar or honey in most recipes.

What is Added in Citrus Agave Blends?

Citrus agave blends build upon regular agave nectar by incorporating citrus flavors and sometimes extracts. Popular citrus fruits used include:

• Lemon
• Lime
• Grapefruit
• Orange

In addition to the citrus juice, zest may be added to accentuate the citrus flavor. Citrus extracts like lemon extract or orange extract can provide an extra citrus kick as well.

Some blends focus on a single citrus fruit, like lemon or lime, while others combine multiple citrus flavors for a more complex taste. The citrus notes enhance agave’s neutral sweetness with bright, fresh acidity.

Benefits of Citrus Agave Blends

Citrus agave blends provide the same benefits as regular agave nectar, along with some added perks:

• Enhanced flavor – The citrus adds nice acidity and flavor depth
• Versatile uses – Works as a sweetener but also as a flavor enhancer
• May contain beneficial citrus oils – Extra nutrition from the zests
• Fun twist on plain agave nectar

You get the same sugar-replacement abilities of agave nectar, with a tangy citrus kick. The citrus flavors complement agave’s mild sweetness and make it more multidimensional as an ingredient.

How to Use Citrus Agave Blends

Citrus agave blends are easy to incorporate into recipes as a replacement for sugar or other liquid sweeteners. Here are some tips for using them:

• Add to beverages – Excellent in cocktails, lemonades, teas, etc.
• Sweeten baking recipes – Replace sugar or honey in baked goods
• Drizzle over waffles or pancakes
• Blend into vinaigrettes and salad dressings
• Brush onto meats before grilling
• Stir into oatmeal or yogurt
• Use in marinades for chicken, fish, or pork

You can replace an equal amount of regular sugar with citrus agave blend in recipes. The citrus adds extra flavor depth while still providing sweetness. It shines in recipes where you want a hint of citrus flavor.

Popular Brands of Citrus Agave Blends

Several companies now produce citrus agave blends. Here are some popular brands to look for:

Brand	Flavors
Madhava	Lemon, Lime, Orange
Wholesome	Lemon
NOW Foods	Lemon
Nature’s Agave	Orange, Lime
Yaupon Brothers	Lemon Ginger

Check your local health food store or online retailers to find these products. They are sold in squeeze bottles for easy drizzling and pouring.

How to Make Your Own

You can also easily make citrus agave blends at home. Here’s a simple DIY lemon agave recipe to try:

Lemon Agave Blend

• 1 cup agave nectar
• Zest from 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

1. Heat agave nectar in a small saucepan over medium heat until just warm, about 1 minute.
2. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and lemon juice.
3. Transfer to a glass jar or squeeze bottle.
4. Let cool completely before using.
5. Will keep refrigerated for 2-3 weeks.

You can adjust the amount of lemon juice to control the intensity of the flavor. Other citrus fruits can be substituted as well. Homemade blends make great gifts too!

The Difference Between Citrus Agave and Honey

Both citrus agave and honey can add sweetness and flavor to recipes. But there are some key differences between them:

Citrus Agave Blend	Honey
– Made from agave nectar	– Made by bees from flower nectar
– Subtler, more neutral taste	– Distinct honey flavor
– Lower glycemic index	– Higher glycemic index
– Vegan	– Not vegan
– Thinner, pourable consistency	– Thicker, stickier consistency

The citrus flavors provide some overlap with honey’s flavor profile. But agave blends offer their own unique benefits for those looking for a vegan or low glycemic option.

Potential Downsides of Citrus Agave

While citrus agave has some advantages over plain sugar, there are a few potential downsides to consider:

• High fructose content – Like plain agave, it contains higher amounts of fructose than regular sugar. This may be a concern for people with fructose intolerance.
• Highly processed – Agave nectar goes through extensive filtering, heating, and processing to make it shelf-stable.
• Not whole foods-based – Made in factories rather than a whole food source like honey.
• Expense – Tend to cost more than plain sugar or honey.

As with any sweetener, citrus agave is best used in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. It provides a flavored alternative to plain agave but is still a processed choice.

The Takeaway

Citrus agave blends combine the mild sweetness of agave nectar with bright, tangy citrus flavors. They can add sweetness and acidity to teas, baked goods, dressings, cocktails, and more as a stand-in for plain sugar. Popular brands use key limes, lemons, oranges, and grapefruits to create different flavor profiles. You can also easily make citrus agave blends at home.

Compared to honey and sugar, citrus agave provides a subtly flavored, low glycemic option for sweetening foods and beverages. Add a dash of citrus agave to bring a little zesty sweetness to your next recipe!