9 Reasons to Make Date Syrup Your Go-To Sweetener
Date syrup is more than an increasingly popular food trend. This flavorful ingredient represents a revolution in the way we think about sweetener.
Take it from Bon Appétit contributor Cassandra Landry, who writes: “As I lifted the mug to take a sip, there it was: Warm notes of caramel and molasses with that telltale raisin-y tang, like a lightning strike dissolving into the foam.”
What other sweetener can provide that kind of complexity?
And that’s to say nothing of the nutritional benefits and versatility of this must-have ingredient.
If you’re looking for a healthy natural sweetener that enhances the quality of your products or delights your family, date syrup is a no-brainer. Here are 9 reasons to love organic date syrup.
#1: Sooo Delicious!
We’ll get to the health benefits of organic dates in a moment. But first things first:
If a natural sweetener can’t compete with sugar, no one is going to reach for it.
Fortunately, date syrup is delicious. This thick, dark syrup has a complex flavor and natural sweetness that’s less sugary than honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup. The molasses-like taste of date syrup does more than sweeten baked goods and sauces. It enhances them.
#2: Complex Flavor, but Only One Ingredient
Date syrup is made from dates. Full stop.
There are no additives. It’s just one healthy ingredient that delivers a nuanced and unforgettable flavor. With hints of caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla, date syrup turns every smoothie, dressing, and cookie into something truly unique.
#3: Date Syrup is Versatile
Date syrup can replace any sweetener in every recipe imaginable. Some of our favorite uses include:
- Baked goods
- Barbecue sauce
- Marinades
- Salad dressings
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Coffee, tea, and other beverages
- Glazes
- Oatmeal
And don’t forget: a drizzle of date syrup enhances both the taste and presentation of pancakes, goat cheese, and desserts.
#4: Closer to Nature Than Processed Sugar
Table sugar goes through an artificial process to become the product that it is. And we pay for that process with our health.
Refined sugar provides zero nutrients while causing a lot of complications for the body. Table sugar has a high glycemic index, a fact that explains the spike in blood sugar levels when too much sugar is consumed. High glycemic index diets are also linked to weight gain and obesity.
To make matters worse, refined sugar is highly addictive, trapping those of us with a sweet tooth in an endless cycle of irresponsible eating.
Date syrup is not a highly processed ingredient. It’s a natural food made from fruit and literally nothing else. Date syrup also has one of the lowest glycemic indexes among all sweetener options.
#5: Date Syrup Contains Equal Parts Fructose and Glucose
Here’s why that matters.
Any sweetener is going to contain some amount of fructose, glucose, or sucrose. Too much glucose causes a spike in insulin levels. Fructose does not.
On the other hand, too much fructose overwhelms the liver. This is why we’re constantly told to avoid foods containing high-fructose corn syrup.
Date syrup has naturally balanced portions of fructose and glucose, so there isn’t too much of either sugar.
#6: Date Syrup is Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals
Did you know 100g of date syrup contains 848mg of potassium? That’s 24% of your daily value.
Date syrup also contains more iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium than other celebrated natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey.
#7: It’s Even Heart Healthy!
Because date syrup is essentially liquified dates, this sweetener boasts the same heart-healthy benefits as the fruit itself.
Date syrup is free of sodium, cholesterol, trans fat, and saturated fat. It’s also high in minerals that support heart function, like potassium and magnesium.
#8: Date Syrup is Compatible with Most Diets
When you substitute date syrup for traditional sweeteners, you make life way, way easier for your customers.
Date syrup contains the essential amino acids vegetarians and vegans struggle to get with a regular meatless diet.
Dates are also compatible with the DASH diet. And they’re a staple in the wildly popular Mediterranean diet—a nutritional system used for weight loss, relief for rheumatoid arthritis, and everything in between.
In fact, date syrup is even a great option for paleo dieters who are trying to limit sugar intake but still need a little sweetness in their lives.
So what are you waiting for? You read the reasons, number one through nine. If you truly are looking for a healthy natural sweetener that not only amplifies the taste of your food but delights your family as well, date syrup is exactly what you need.
#8: Date Syrup is Compatible with Most Diets
When you substitute date syrup for traditional sweeteners, you make life way, way easier for your customers.
Date syrup contains the essential amino acids vegetarians and vegans struggle to get with a regular meatless diet.
Dates are also compatible with the DASH diet. And they’re a staple in the wildly popular Mediterranean diet—a nutritional system used for weight loss, relief for rheumatoid arthritis, and everything in between.
In fact, date syrup is even a great option for paleo dieters who are trying to limit sugar intake but still need a little sweetness in their lives.
So what are you waiting for? You read the reasons, number one through nine. If you truly are looking for a healthy natural sweetener that not only amplifies the taste of your food but delights your family as well, date syrup is exactly what you need.
