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25

May

2010

Raw Food Recipe: Date Sweetener (Alternative To Agave)

Saved in:-   Raw Food Diet Video,Raw Food Recipes


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Seeing as there’s a lot of conversation going on about whether agave has a place in a healthy right now, I’ve made a little video showing you how to simply make a whole food sweetener from just dates and water.

I get asked about my views on agave fairly often and the aim making this video is to provide an alternative for those people that want another option. It doesn’t mean I am saying agave is or isn’t ‘good’ or ‘bad’, that’s for another conversation.

I think there’s more conversation to be had about agave and with that said, here’s another great whole food alternative.

Remember to leave me a comment under the video and, if you’re on Twitter, ‘retweet’ or if you’re on Facebook click the ‘Share’ button :)

 

 

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  • http://girlonraw.com/ GirlonRaw

    Great video as per usual Russell. Now I'm not at 105 chef school I can get my fix through here :)

  • http://www.pure2raw.com Pure2raw twins

    Love the video. We love using dates as our main sweetener.

  • sharon

    Thanks for noting the length of time that the date syrup lasts. I made it once and figured I could keep it indefinitely like agave. I don't know how long I had it, but it molded and turned me off to ever making it again. Now (thanks to you) I know I need to date it (no pun intended) and use it up in a couple of weeks. I'm inspired to make it again.

  • http://s.rvxn.org/ sui solitaire

    Thanks for the video! I love dates :)

  • Lively

    awesome idea! thanks so much for posting an idea/ solution instead of just joining the banter. so many people have opinions on this but this is the first time i've seen someone give a good alternative. you never cease to impress!

  • Oracle

    Whenever possible I just substitute Stevia. That's a no brainer for me to avoid any kind of sugars.
    Great video, though a slight mention that different types of dates have different flavors because you and all the books I see mention medjool dates, but they are not always easy to find.

  • veronica o'reilly

    Hi Russell,
    ITs brilliant!. i am delighted to find something instead of agave.
    Regards
    Veronica
    Ireland

  • Kim

    Any thoughts about xylitol? Some raw chefs are promoting it as a better sweetener option.

  • http://hihorosie.blogspot.com hihorosie

    Awesome!

  • Margaret

    A great idea, thank you Russell. I bought a date syrup from Holland & Barratt recently
    but didn't like it as it was too strong tasting. Yours has the right colour and i can't wait to try it!

  • Raw diva 51

    GREAT IDEA!!

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Great! Shop-bought date syrup is most definitely processed and not raw, so this would be a big improvement :-)

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    I've just started experimenting with Xylitol. I used in the other day and had a chemical taste in my mouth for about 30 mins.

    I just seems weird using a white powder too, I can't get my head around it.

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Good point about the different dates.

    I just can't stand that stevia after taste :)

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Thanks :) I've got nothing to say about agave that hasn't already been said so I'll wait and see what comes back from sources already investigating these agave claims.

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  • Naomi

    Great little video, Russell, and THANKS! (btw, I am LOVING your videos in the Raw Chef DVD/workbook series I just purchased. You make things so EASY to do, and they are really fun to watch and learn from. I'm delighted!! :-) Naomi in NY

  • Leanne

    Hi Russell, awesome idea, thanks for sharing, love you work, ideas recipes & passion.

  • Lois

    Great alternative! I like that you mentioned the 1 1/2 to 1 ratio to agave. I also like that you told us how long it will last in the fridge for.
    Thanks Lois

  • Mia

    Russell,

    I LOVE it! Thank you for everything you do.

  • Tressey

    Great tip, thanks.

  • http://www.lenoresnatural.com lenore

    dried or fresh stevia leaves are sweet with no aftertaste. it's easy to grow in the garden.

  • http://www.lenoresnatural.com lenore

    authentic birch xylitol is tasty, healthful. check it out at globalsweet.com
    what you tasted was undoubtedly the gmo corn junk from china!

  • Angela

    Thank You for that tip! On the topic of agave nectar, and as a nutritionist,I have found only one company that has truely raw agave, without fillers, so without adverse effects. It can be ordered through Global Goods online.

  • sara'i

    Is it good for diabetics? Agave do not allow the blood sugar to rise.

  • sara'i

    Is it good for diabetics? Agave do not allow the blood sugar to rise.

  • sara'i

    Is it good for diabetics? Agave do not allow the blood sugar to rise.

  • sara'i

    I have used dates when I first got into doing raw. My blood sugar rise and I had to back away from it. I tried agave and my blood sugar did not rise at all, but I thank you for showing me the alternative. we are all here to learn.

  • Maritza

    I used to feel the same way about stevia until I figured out that I had to use LESS than what I was using. I backed off a little and found just the right amount of sweetness with no aftertaste. Also quality is essential… very easy to grow. LOVE the date recipe. Thanks for that!

  • Terrie

    Also, it's good to remember that xylitol can be harmful to our pets…just in case you ever give them your food : )

  • Terrie

    Russell James, you sooooo rawk! Thanks for the video. BTW, hope you're having a great time in OKC, Oklahoma : )

  • Terrie

    I only found clothes and dolls on the 1st 2 pages of the search for globalgoods.

  • Wendy

    Thank you for this. I've been adding dates in place of all sweetners in my recipes already and it's nice to have this recipe w/ some water. Thanks!

  • Catherine Bacher

    Great video Russell – thanks – have been looking for a natural alternative to the expensive processed ones – who would have thought it could be that easy! Great tip, and nice to see how it actually is done.

  • http://www.rawon10.blogspot.com/ Lisa is Raw on $10 a Day

    awesome!

  • dominic
  • Kevin

    That was really cool about the date sweetiner well done.

  • http://www.rawdorable.blogspot.com shannonmarie

    Good job Russell! Nice substitution. BTW, my baby daughter likes your voice :-)

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    I'm not a nutritionist and don't know enough about diabetes to advise on that but I did find these articles that you may find useful :)

    http://tinyurl.com/365skec

    http://tinyurl.com/2waw97s

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Thanks, Angela.

    These guys have truly raw agave with no chemicals and lower levels of fructose:

    http://www.ultimatesuperfoods.com/

  • Luisa Fajardo

    Hi Rusell,
    I loved it. You are great!
    Luisa

  • http://www.rawdorable.blogspot.com shannonmarie

    I'm not a nutritionist either, but I've been making something similar with yacon slices: http://rawdorable.blogspot.com/2010/05/yes-you-…

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Hi Lenore, it was actually the birch one I tried, but I'm going to give it another go :)

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Thanks, Lenore. I didn't know that. Stevia is illegal to sell in the UK which is why I haven't really been exposed to it until coming to the US.

  • http://www.therawchef.com Russell James Raw Food

    Thanks, Maritza. I know what you mean about getting just the right amount of Stevia.

  • fatimah

    hi russell,this vary good to know becuase some times you cant get it and it is some how expensive,thank you vary much .here in saudi we gave this recipe for babyes who 5 monthes and older but we make as pudding by adding cornstarch to it,as you dates vary rich in vitamines. thank you again.

  • Estelle

    Thanks for your great recipes!! Just love your creativity with raw food!

  • http://www.fivecornershealth.com Amy

    Thanks for the video Russell, I've been making a thicker date paste so this will make my life ALOT easier! Have you tried using other fruits or dried fruits at all? I'm wondering if this would work w/ apricots, maybe I'll give it a try.

  • Lisa Pupo

    Amazing and Thank You!

  • Karen

    Your better bet is to use Yacon.. Dates are very high GI

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