XANADUREALM, You might be right about both being rather difficult to find. We have a lot of Mexican and South American groceries here, so Agave is not too difficult to find. Agar is easy to get if you order it from a science lab supplier like I do. lol. I've never eaten it though. It appears to be the same. I looked it up too and it certainly looks the same. I checked the box I have and it doesn't say it is food safe, just non-toxic and purified. When you mix it with water and let it set it turns into a gelatin so you can grow mold and bacteria in a contaminant-free medium. After your original message suggesting that the poster might have meant Agave, I got the impression she was going to try that. I do know that a very tiny amount of Agar makes a LOT of gelatin. We use a small bag for 100 petri dishes. Now that I think of it, it would make sense that Agar has some kind of sugars in it since it would "feed" whatever you are growing. I hadn't considered that.
XANADUREALM 8/26/08 8:18 A
I am the one who originally suggested maybe they meant Agave. Since then I saw one of the Challenges on Food Network which mentioned Agar. That is why I did a little more research. I should have done the research before posting about Agave.
Agar and Agave may be equally hard to come by and might have to be ordered online.
Here is link that explain more about Agar and where it can be purchased. Since it is a gelatin type substance then the Agave might not work as a substitute.
www.bulkfoods.com/agar_agar.htm
Maybe the orignial poster might let us know what she found out or if she made the recipe.
Xana
NOREENBX 8/25/08 2:10 P
You are correct. The agar described partially in the text you googled is a form of agar manufactured specifically for the food industry. It is derived from processed seaweed, most often. It is not generally available as a sweetener in the U.S. Even getting it in an asian market can be difficult (but not impossible). It is used primarily as a medium for growing bacteria and other cultures in petri dishes. I go through a fair amount of commercial granular agar in my science lab each year. It can also be found as an ingredient in many processed foods. Usually as a thickener, texturizer, and as a component in many gelatin products. However, this string was discussing agave, which is a readily available sweetener. The originator of this string was asking about "Agar Sugar" which is not easily available commercially. We suggested that she may have meant Agave, which is available.
XANADUREALM 8/25/08 12:09 P
I have an enquiring mind so I googled Agar. It is a sweetner used in Japanese desserts.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agar
Agar or agar agar is a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed. Historically and in a modern context, it is chiefly used as an ingredient in desserts throughout Japan, but in the past century has found extensive use as a solid substrate to contain culture medium for microbiological work. The gelling agent is an unbranched polysaccharide obtained from the cell membranes of some species of red algae, primarily from the genuses Gelidium and Gracilaria, or seaweed (Sphaerococcus euchema). Commercially it is derived primarily from Gelidium amansii.
Agar can be used as a laxative, a vegetarian gelatin substitute, a thickener for soups, in jellies, ice cream and Japanese desserts such as anmitsu, as a clarifying agent in brewing, and for paper sizing fabrics.
NOREENBX 8/25/08 8:35 A
Again, someone previously called this sweetener Agar. If you're going to a store and asking for Agar Sugar or sweetener they won't know what you're talking about. The correct name is Agave. Agar is a gelatin that is used in petri dishes and has other, completely different uses.
MUHNAYCHA 8/24/08 11:42 A
I also use Stevia which is a plant. Stevia is also referred to as SweetLeaf. I get it at the grocer in the health food section. It is in liquid form and comes in a bottle with a dropper. The instructions say to use about one to two drops, but I say use it according to how sweet you like your food -- there are no calories.
XANADUREALM 8/24/08 6:43 A
I have been told in is available at some health food store but I also found it available online.
YOYOLADY4 8/23/08 10:54 P
ok I have checked out the grocery stores here in Canada and no luck finding this sugar so far?? Anyone know where it is available? Thks!!
BASICMOUTH 8/23/08 8:46 P
If you are looking at the instructions for a Middle Eastern recipe, you might be looking for sugar syrup, like glucose syrup or Karo syrup. My recipe for Kanaffe (a middle eastern pastry) calls for "agar syrup."
YOYOLADY4 8/19/08 11:54 P
thanks, I will look for it for sure :)
XANADUREALM 8/17/08 2:21 P
I have been told that you can buy it at health food stores. The info I posted came off a website that sells it. Just google it if you can't find it at the health food store. If they don't have it you might ask, maybe they can get it.
YOYOLADY4 8/17/08 1:26 P
Wow Thank you very much.. I do not like other sugar subs, I find they leave such a bad aftertaste..especially spenda. Now the big question, where can this Agar Sugar be bought? Thanks again, YoYo ps my hubby has just been told he has diabetes 2..sooo this would be a great find for us!!
XANADUREALM 8/16/08 7:13 A
Dr. Oz names Agave as the best sugar substitute on Oprah
Low Calorie sweetener 75% stronger sweetener than sugar Agave Nectar can be used for baking, cooking and anywhere else where you would normally use sugar or Natural sweetener
What is Agave Nectar? Agave Nectar is a natural caloric sweetener with the lowest glicemic index obtained from the Agave plant that can be used to sweeten any type of beverage or food. Agave Nectar comes from the Agave Plants. The plants are in the same family as the Blue Agave, from which tequila is made.
Agave Nectar as a Sweetener Only recently has it come in use as a sweetener. It has a low glycemic level and is a delicious and safe alternative to table sugar. Unlike the crystalline form of fructose, which is refined primarily from corn, Agave Nectar is sweet in its natural form.
This nectar does not contain processing chemicals. Even better, because it is sweeter than table sugar, less is needed in your recipes and meals. It can be most useful for people who are diabetic, have insulin resistance (Type II, non-insulin dependant) or are simply watching their carbohydrate intake.
Low Calorie Sweetener Agave Nectar is the recommended natural caloric sweetener in low calorie diets for reduction and weight control, mainly when it is added to non-acid foods and beverages. It might be used in less than quantity than sucrose or synthetic sweeteners, obtaining the same sweetness level with fewer calories.
In recipes, use about 75% less of this nectar that you would use of table sugar. ¼ cup of Agave Nectar should equal 1 cup of table sugar. Due to its slow absorption by the human body, Agave Nectar works as intelligent caloric food, since it is absorbed according to the body needs.
Functional Properties Agave Nectar is the natural caloric sweetener with the lowest glicemic index. Under medical control it can be used by diabetic people (Type II, non-insulin dependant).
Due to its perfect sugars relation along with oligo-organics (characteristic of the Agave plant), Agave Nectar mixed with citric juices might be considered as a natural laxative, relieving constipation problems.
The Agave Nectar oligo-organic contents help the well functioning of gall bladder, helping to saponification of fats. Its oligo-organic contents also work against the blocking of arteries and veins due to high cholesterol levels.
Agave Nectar enhances flavors, keeping the perfect flavor for a longer period of time.
Agave Nectar has the same sugar proportions as found in the plant itself. Our processes do not include the use of synthetic resins for the clarifying and demineralization processes hence; we do not use numerals (ciphers) to show sugars proportions.
In recipes, use about 75% less of this nectar than you would use of table sugar. ¼ cup of agave nectar should equal 1 cup of table sugar. For most recipes this rule works well.
Agave Nectar has met the "food exchange requirements" by the American Diabetic Association and American Dietetic Association for product labeling! The benefits that can be derived from using Agave Nectar as your sweetener are numerous: * Agave Nectar is low glycemic. It will not over stimulate the production of insulin.
* Agave Nectar does not contain processing chemicals. * Agave Nectar is safe and recommended for children. * Agave Nectar can be used for baking, cooking and anywhere else where you would normally use sugar or a chemical, artificial sweetener. * Agave Nectar is low calorie
History: Early inhabitants of the Americas discovered the many properties of the Blue Agave plant thousands of years ago. The plant was harvested for a variety of uses, including food, drink and clothing. It was not until recently, however, that the nectar from the plant was recognized for its exceptionally sweet properties. Today, the heart of the finest Blue Agave plants is harvested processed and made available as Agave Nectar by Molino Real.
Features: Agave Nectar is a delicious golden syrup composed of 90-percent fructose sugars and 10-percent glucose sugars respectively. Because fructose is 42 percent sweeter to the human brain than granulated sugar, less is needed to achieve the same level of sweetness. The less used, the fewer the calories consumed. Fructose is also a great deal easier to digest and use by your body than standard refined sucrose products or even the so-called "natural sugars" found in health food stores. Unlike fructose sweeteners that are produced chemically, Agave Nectar contains no sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid or other harmful toxins. High in natural fructose and nutrients, the Agave Nectar can be used to sweeten any food or beverage with fewer calories and greater flavor Agave Nectar is used successfully to:
* Flavor cereals * Fortify bread products * Sweeten nutrition bars * Enhance fruit concentrations * Sweeten desserts * Sweeten candy * Sweeten coffee or tea * Pour on pancakes and waffles
Agave Nectar is an exceptional very low glycemic index sweetener, certified organic and contains no chemicals. And yes, it is safe for kids!
Uses: The Agave Nectar with high content of natural fructose and nutrients can be used in the elaboration of: Pancakes Energy Bars Caramels and Candies Sweet Beverages Deserts Cereals Milk Shakes Bread Cookies Natural Syrups for hotcakes and waffles Jellies, marmalades, etc.
It’s an excellent choice to pour over
Fruits Yoghurts Pancakes Waffles
YOYOLADY4 8/16/08 12:37 A
Hi Noreen, I was wondering if this Agave sugar is good for you.. not as high in cals as real sugar?? Is it considered a good subsitute? Thanks YoYo
PAMGIO 8/11/08 11:43 A
Thank you! I am going to make the recipe with Agave sugar next time. I used Splenda and it came out great also.
NOREENBX 8/9/08 2:25 P
Yes, I think you mean Agave. Agar is the clear gelatin we put in Petri dishes to grow bacteria. I don't think you'd want to eat that! I think Agave comes from a cactus or some other desert plant. Supposedly it is sweeter than honey but not as thick. Agave is supposed to be very high in fructose. For recipes, you use 1/3 the amount of Agave syrup as a substitute for a cup of sugar. In my neighborhood we can get it in the Mexican market or a few other ethnic markets.
XANADUREALM 8/5/08 11:59 A
You may be referring to Agave, many folks use it as a sweetner. You would probably find it at health food stores.
PAMGIO 8/3/08 7:18 A
Does anyone know what Agar Sugar is? I looked it up on the internet but it seems agar is a geletin, not a sugar. It is used in a recipe for a salad dressing, so I am not sure if the agar is used as a sweetener or a thickener.
