Vegan or Not? The Truth About Agave Syrup
Could agave syrup be the vegan sweetener of our dreams? Spoiler alert: we think so! Your first introduction to this natural sweetener derived from the agave plant may have been in a margarita, but you can use it in many ways. Here are the answers to some of the pressing questions you may have about agave syrup:
Is Agave Vegan?
Yes! Agave comes from the agave plant, a type of succulent that grows in arid desert conditions. Agave syrup is mainly produced in central Mexico, where the plants are native, easy to grow, and have been used by indigenous communities for centuries.
How Can I Use Agave Syrup?
This sweetener is super versatile! We use it in many recipes instead of honey (which isn’t kind to bees). It’s sweeter than honey and sugar, so you might want to adjust based on your preferences. It may brown faster in baked goods, so reduce your oven temperature slightly or check a little earlier.
Does Agave Production Harm Bats?
Endangered Mexican long-nosed bats consume agave nectar and pollinate the plants. Since most agave used for syrup production is farmed rather than wild-grown, there is typically a low-impact relationship between agave production and the local bat population, especially if sustainable farming practices are implemented.
In some drought-stricken parts of Mexico, however, cows raised by the meat industry for their flesh are now grazing on wild agave plants instead of the grasses and native plants they would typically consume. The meat industry’s heavy presence in these parts of Mexico has decimated the land and the foraging sites that this bat species needs to survive. It’s far more detrimental to the bat populations than the agave syrup industry.
Going vegan is the best way to protect long-nosed bats, bees, and the planet. Pledge to go vegan today and start living more compassionately and sustainably:
