Who does not want to satisfy their sweet tooth without having to worry about consuming extra calories or gaining weight? The urge to stay mentally and physically fit, while eating the food you like make us look for alternatives that have fewer calories and are easily available. Likewise, liquid glucose is commonly used as a food additive or as an ingredient in many cooked food items or baked items throughout the world. Also known as glucose syrup, this starch sugar keeps the food moist, sweet and helps to keep it fresh for a longer time period. Here is all you need to know about liquid glucose or if they have a good substitute or not:
Decoding the corn derivative sweetener
Liquid glucose is actually sugar in the form of syrup. The corn derivative syrup is a staple pantry ingredient that’s manufactured in industries using corn starch and by running it through few chemical reactions. Glucose syrup is essentially used in commercial food production for thickening the food, as a moisture-absorbing agent, or as a sweetening agent. It helps to enhance the taste of things such as candies or other food items of such sort. Liquid glucose is often derived from corn or other starchy foods and has little nutritional value. Sugar in the form of liquid glucose, can be healthfully enjoyed in moderation. Its excessive consumption however makes you prone to obesity, high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and poor dental health.
Fast Facts about LG:
Liquid Glucose also known as corn syrup is highly viscous and sticky in nature. This starch sugar is extensively used in bakery and confectionery preparations for its ability to control sweetening. The functional prowess of liquid glucose extends to:
- Lowers freezing point
- Keeps food products soft and fresh.
- Excellent food preservative
- Provides body and cohesiveness.
Why do we need Liquid Glucose Substitutes:
Corn sweeteners isn’t exactly the healthiest ingredient out there, as many of us are cutting back on the added sugar to curb their calorie intake and maintain a healthier diet. Allergies are another common reason one may wish to find alternatives to this corn sweetener. Being allergic to corn can be extremely challenging with so many ingredients, including high-fructose corn syrup and regular corn syrup, being derived from corn. And last but not least, you may simply want a convenient liquid glucose substitute you can whip out of your pantry when you have nothing else available.
What are the Possible Substitutes for Liquid Glucose?
To be honest, there aren’t many products that can be used as an adequate substitute for liquid glucose. However, you can use these few options to get a similar effect as you get by using liquid glucose:
Boiled Sugar: Consider using boiled sugar. There are many stages through which the usual type of sugar passes before it reaches caramelizes when heated. The point where sugar changes into a softball can be used as an alternative to liquid glucose. All you need to do is to take one cup of sugar and enough water to cover all of it. Put it in a pan and a pinch of salt and cream of tartar, bring the mixture to boil and remove from flame when it reaches the softball stage.
Honey: Honey may be high in calories and sugar, but it makes a great substitute for corn syrup – especially light corn syrup – and does come with some health benefits. It might bring a twist in your recipe and will change the taste and flavor of the dish, but you can give it a try if you want to avoid using the glucose sugar.
Molasses: Else you can use molasses to add a rich, sweet but slightly burnt flavor to baked goods and savory dishes. The taste won’t be changed markedly, but the color of the dish will definitely be a bit darker.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup does have a rather distinctive flavor, but if you don’t mind a more earthy addition to your recipe, this makes a great substitute with a good level of sweetness and a similar consistency to starch sugar.
Brown rice syrup: Brown rice syrup though couldn’t be regarded as “healthy”, yet it is less calorific than other options on this list. The rice syrup made from 100% glucose and no fructose, is a good substitute if you’re looking to cut back on the calories or fructose intake as much as possible.
Agave Nectar: A one-to-one substitution, agave syrup (aka agave nectar) has a mild flavor that works great in most recipes that call for corn syrup. Often used in vegan cooking, baking, and candy making, liquid agave works as a liquid glucose substitute, with a similar sweetness though a slightly thinner texture.
Why opt for Glucose Syrup?
Since there isn’t any perfect alternative to glucose syrup, it would be recommended for you to use liquid glucose. It is an ideal additive for sweets, confectionery, biscuits, ice-creams, jams, jellies due to its moderate sweetness and nutritive value. No matter how hard you try, you are going to consume sweeteners in one way or the other. It is better to use something genuine rather than using something artificial that can harm your health. However, the regulation of intake amount can surely help you stay healthy even if you are using the glucose syrup.
Where to Buy a Good-Quality Liquid Glucose?
The question of where to buy liquid glucose from is of much more important than looking up for the substitutes of it. HL Agro is one such seasoned manufacturer that markets a premium range of liquid glucose syrups with high-brix for various end uses. Years of industry experience, large capacity, strong clientele and consistent performance invariably place HL agro in a pole position. The company brings the supreme quality of liquid glucose that is hygienically processed, packed & stringently quality tested to supplement the perfect flavors, volume & textures to the baked goods, candy, fondants and cold beverages alike.
