Guest guest Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Natural Sweeteners JoAnn Guest Aug 08, 2003 14:18 PDT Natural Sweeteners Also indexed as: Alternative Sweeteners, Amasake, Barley Malt, Brown Rice Syrup, Stevia, Sucanet® Turbinado See also: Recipes with Natural Sweetener When cooking and baking, refined sweeteners can easily be replaced with natural ones, such as brown rice syrup and barley malt. Health benefits and concerns Some prefer " natural " sweeteners over refined. In any case, they do not undergo the refining process and may contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals. Varieties Amasake Amasake is a traditional Japanese product made by fermenting sweet brown rice into a thick liquid. It is a creamy, quickly digested beverage used by athletes after a workout or as a sweetener in cooking or baking. Barley malt Barley malt is a thick, dark, slow-digesting sweetener made from sprouted barley. It has a malt-like flavor. Some say barley malt is to beer as grapes are to wine. It is ideally suited to brewing for many reasons: Malted barley has a high complement of enzymes for converting its starch supply into simple sugars; it also contains protein, which is needed for yeast nutrition. Another important element is its flavor. Barley malt extract (available in powder and liquid forms) is also used medicinally as a bulking agent to promote bowel regularity. Brown rice syrup Brown rice syrup is a naturally processed sweetener, made from sprouted brown rice. It is thick and mild-flavored. Date sugar Date sugar is a powder made from dried, ground dates. Fruit juice concentrates Fruit juice concentrates are made by cooking down peach, pineapple, grape, and pear juices to produce a sweeter, more concentrated product. The product is then frozen to increase shelf life. FruitSource® FruitSource is the brand name of a granulated sweetener made from grape juice concentrate and rice syrup. Stevia Stevia is derived from a South American shrub (Stevia rebaudiana). A good quality leaf is estimated to be 300 times sweeter than cane sugar, or sucrose. Also known as " honey leaf " and yerba dulce, stevia is not absorbed through the digestive tract, and is therefore non-caloric. Although stevia adds sweetness to foods, it cannot be sold as a sweetener because the FDA considers it an unapproved food additive. However, under the provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) passed in 1994, stevia can be sold as a dietary supplement. Stevia also appears to have medicinal properties. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may lower blood pressure, prevent and reverse diabetes, and possess anti-viral properties. Sucanat® Sucanat is a branded ingredient made from evaporated sugar cane juice. It resembles raw sugar in appearance and taste, though it is slightly less sweet. It is considered to be less refined than raw sugar. Buying and storing tips Liquid alternative sweeteners (amasake, barley malt, and brown rice syrup, can be stored at room temperature in the original packaging until opened, but should be refrigerated after opening. Dry, powdered alternative sweeteners should be stored in a dry place at room temperature. Fruit juice concentrates should remain frozen until ready to use. Availability Alternative sweeteners are available mainly in natural health food stores. Preparation, uses, and tips Alternative sweeteners are used to sweeten hot and cold beverages, and are used in place of refined sweeteners in cooking and baking. Most dry, powdered alternative sweeteners are easily substituted for white sugar (1 part for 1 part) in recipes. Any liquid alternative sweetener can be substituted for corn syrup or molasses in equal amounts. When using a liquid sweetener in place of white sugar, reduce the liquid content in the recipe by 1/4 cup (60mL). If the recipe calls for no liquid, add 3 to 5 Tbsp (22.5 to 37.5g) of flour for each 3/4 cup (180mL) of liquid sweetener. Nutritional Highlights Barley malt (flour), 1 cup (120g) Calories: 585 Protein: 16.6g Carbohydrate: 127g Total Fat: 3.0g Fiber: 11.5g *Excellent source of: Iron (7.6mg), Magnesium (157mg), and Zinc (3.3mg) *Good source of: Vitamin E (3.2 IU) Brown rice syrup, 1/4 cup (75g) Calories: 170 Protein: 0.0g Carbohydrate: 42g Total Fat: 0.0g Fiber: 0.0g Concentrated fruit sweetener, 2 Tbsp (15g) Calories: 60 Protein: 0.0g Carbohydrate: 15g Total Fat: 0.0g Fiber: 0.5g Stevia, 1 packet Calories: less than 1.0 Protein: 0.0g Carbohydrate: less than 1.0g Total Fat: 0.0g Fiber: 0.0g *Foods that are an " excellent source " of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a " good source " of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/learning/healthguide/healthguide_content ..jhtml?Category=Food_Guide & title=Natural+Sweeteners & relativePath=% 2Fcontent%2Fhealthnotes%2FFood_Guide%2FNatural_Sweeteners.htm JoAnn Guest mrsjo- DietaryTi- http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/SugarBlues.html The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO " Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future " http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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