Vegan or Not? The Truth About Agave Syrup
Is agave syrup the vegan sweetener of our dreams? Spoiler alert: Here at PETA, we think so! You may have been introduced to this natural sweetener derived from the agave plant while drinking a margarita, but you can use it in many ways. Here are the answers to some pressing questions you may have about agave syrup:
Is Agave Vegan?
Yes! Agave plants are a type of succulent that thrives 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 extremely versatile. It can be used in many recipes instead of honey, which isn’t kind to bees, and it’s actually sweeter than both honey and sugar, so you’ll probably want to adjust how much you add based on your preferences. It may brown faster on baked goods, so be sure to reduce your oven temperature slightly or check on your goodies a little earlier than usual.
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 a local bat population, especially if sustainable farming practices have been implemented.
In some drought-stricken areas of Mexico, however, cows raised by the meat industry are now grazing on wild agave plants instead of the grasses and other native plants they would typically consume. The meat industry’s harmful presence in these parts of the country has decimated the land, including the foraging sites that this bat species needs to survive. Animal agriculture is far more detrimental to bat populations than the agave syrup industry is.
Going vegan is the best way to protect bats, bees, and the planet. Pledge to go vegan today and start living more compassionately and sustainably:
