Agave nectar is a sweetener that comes from the agave plant. It has a sweet taste and is a one-for-one replacement for sugar. Agave nectar is available in most grocery stores, and there are a few different places where you can buy it.
This sweetener originated from Mexico. However, agave nectar is widely available in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar, and each tablespoon has about 60 calories.
At one time, it was a special order item at most stores. It has quickly become more popular and is now available at most mainstream grocery stores.
Where To Find Agave Nectar in The Grocery Store
You can find this sugar alternative in the baking aisle, the health food aisle, or the natural foods section of the grocery store. Check next to the sugar and other alternative sweeteners in the baking aisle. If agave nectar isn’t there, then check next to the maple syrup and honey in the natural foods section.
If you are looking for a healthy, natural sweetener, agave nectar is a great option. It is low on the glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Agave nectar is also vegan and gluten-free. Use it in most recipes that call for sugar or honey. These days, you won’t have a problem finding agave in stores or online.
The most popular brands on the market are:
Where To Buy Agave Nectar Near Me
Whether you are at a regular grocery store or health food store, you should be able to find agave nectar in one of the aisles mentioned above.
Grocery store chains that carry agave nectar products include:
- Safeway – Madhava and Wholesome Sweeteners
- Kroger – Madhava
- Walmart – Madhava, Health Garden, Wholesome Sweeteners, and NOW Foods. These brands include light, blue and raw agave.
- Target – Wholesome Sweeteners
If you are looking for a health food store that carries agave nectar, try:
- Whole Foods Market– Madhava, Wholesome Sweeteners, and NOW Foods
- Trader Joe’s – Madhava and Wholesome Sweeteners. You may even be able to buy a blend of agave with maple syrup.
- Local co-ops – contact your local co-op to see if they carry this sweetener.
- Harris Teeter has organic, raw, and light agave.
If you can’t locate agave nectar in the grocery store, you can always ask an employee to help you. If you want to skip asking an employee or don’t have time to, you can easily order agave online.
How To Buy Agave Nectar Online
Amazon
Amazon has the most comprehensive list of agave nectars with different variations of the sweetener. The online store has a variety of agave brands, including Madhava, Wholesome Sweeteners, and NOW Foods. Buy it in a range of sizes from one 11 oz bottle, a pack of two bottles, or a 176 oz jug.
If you have Amazon Prime, you can get your agave nectar delivered to you in two days. Depending on your location, you may be eligible for Amazon’s same-day grocery delivery service, which they provide with their affiliate, Whole Foods. If you’re on a time crunch or a tight budget, Amazon is the place to buy.
Walmart
Walmart has several options for purchasing agave nectar. In addition to buying standard bottles, you can purchase a 176oz large of Organic agave, which should keep you set for a long time. Walmart offers two-day online shipping, and some stores offer same-day grocery delivery. The availability of this feature varies on your location.
iHerb
iHerb is an online retailer offering all kinds of healthy, organic ingredients. They have a variety of agave nectars, including light and raw variations. If you need agave nectar regularly, they offer a subscription service, where they ship you your requested orders each month on a set schedule.
Vitacost
If your preferred agave nectar is sold by one of the big three providers, Vitacost has you covered. Vitacost sells agave syrup from the Madhava, Simple Truth, and Wholesome brands.
Can’t Find Agave Nectar? See Top Alternatives
If you can’t find agave nectar in your local grocery store, there are a few other natural sweeteners that you can try.
Honey
Honey is a healthy alternative to agave nectar. It is one and a half times sweeter than sugar and has a caramel-like flavor and texture. You can use honey in most recipes that call for agave nectar. Honey comes in many forms- jarred, fresh, raw, or even right in the comb.
Raw honey is the best option for an agave nectar substitute since it has more health benefits than processed honey. This does have a thicker texture than agave nectar, so keep that in mind if honey is your chosen substitute. You may have to add a bit of liquid into your recipe in order to achieve the right consistency.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. It is calorie-free and about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia can be used in place of agave nectar or sugar in most recipes.
Make sure you’re not including too much- in general, a good idea is to cut the amount of agave nectar or sugar you need in half if you want to use Stevia. For example, if your recipe calls for one cup of agave nectar, you’re going to want to use half a cup of Stevia. Otherwise, your recipe will be much too sweet.
Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar originates from the sap of coconut palm trees. It is about as sweet as sugar and has a caramel-like flavor. You can substitute coconut sugar for agave nectar, but remember, you will be including sugar rather than a sugar alternative. This may not be a great option for those who need to keep an eye on their blood sugar, but for others, it will work well.
Similar to honey, using coconut sugar may alter the texture of your recipe. You might need to include some wet ingredients to make up for the lack of agave nectar.