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Rice Syrup: Uses, Properties And Ingredients Of The Sweetener

In addition to maple syrup, agave syrup, and honey, rice syrup is available as a sugar substitute. If you plan to bake or cook with rice syrup, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Rice syrup: an alternative to sugar?

More and more people are looking for an alternative to table sugar – be it to save calories or to eat healthier. A possible substitute is rice syrup from Japan. To produce the viscous juice, ground rice is first heated and enzymatically broken down into sugars, and the syrup is finally filtered and thickened. The ingredients in the rice syrup – maltose, glucose, and oligosaccharides – make the sweetener interesting for people who have a fructose intolerance or suffer from diabetes. Although the glycemic index of rice syrup is very high at around 100, the sweetening power is lower than that of table sugar. That means you may need more of the juice to make a dish just as sweet as you would with sugar—and blood sugar levels will spike all the more. The lower calorie content of rice syrup is so often counteracted. From a purely health point of view, neither rice syrup nor sugar are a good recommendation. Only the lack of fructose in the rice syrup can be a small advantage, as this puts more strain on the liver than glucose.

Implement recipes with rice syrup

As far as enjoyment is concerned, rice syrup can certainly score points. Its mild taste makes it universally applicable. When baking with rice syrup instead of sugar, in addition to the lower sweetening power, it should be noted that more moisture gets into the dough. You might want to use less of the liquid ingredients then. If you would like to cook or bake your usual recipes with rice syrup instead of the specified sweetener, this is not always recommended. For maple syrup recipes, for example, it is better to actually reach for the sap of the maple tree. Because its caramel taste simply goes best with dishes such as pancakes. If, on the other hand, agave syrup is on the list of ingredients, you can confidently replace it with rice syrup. More basic information on the topic “Baking without sugar, which substitutes are suitable?” can be obtained from our experts.

How important is rice syrup in nutrition?

Like all other sugar alternatives, rice syrup is a luxury food that should be used sparingly. The sweetener does not contribute vital substances such as vitamins or minerals to the diet, and dietary fibers are also missing. Anyone who pays attention to the ecological footprint avoids the well-traveled syrup and prefers to use local products such as honey.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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