Brown Rice Syrup is a natural sweetener used instead of normal sugar. It has fewer calories and is extracted from brown rice. The Brown rice syrup can be used in baking or cooking. It is best suitable for people who go vegan or gluten-free. It is, in fact, a substitute itself for refined sugar.
It is a plant-based sweetener, and few adjustments need to be made to use it as a substitute in recipes. Don’t worry if you want to use the brown rice syrup but don’t have one. There are some wonderful substitutes to brown rice syrup, which works exactly as brown rice syrup works.
Let us learn more about brown rice syrup and its substitutes.
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How does the Brown Rice taste?
The Brown rice syrup tastes mildly sweeter than the agave nectar, honey, and sugar. Some also feel that it resembles butterscotch as it tastes a bit nutty.
Uses of Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup has wide usage, especially in countries where rice is the staple food and is the highest agricultural output.
It is used as a topping for waffles, pancakes, smoothies, and spread on bread. It is also widely used in making granola or nut bars. If you prefer a healthy breakfast, please note that it is present in your morning cereals.
In baking, infusing brown rice syrup makes the cakes or bread crispier and browner crust.
Brown Rice Syrup Substitutes
A few amazing substitutes for Brown rice syrup can give you the same taste like brown rice syrup. Let us look at each of them in detail.
1. Honey
Honey is one of the natural substitutes for brown rice syrup. The bees produce honey from the flower nectar. It is known as the predecessor of sugar and is the best substitute for brown rice syrup.
It is bundled with antioxidants and minerals, including riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc. It also contains Vitamin C and B.
No wonder honey is considered the best remedy for sore throat and cough. It has a very smooth texture.
Honey is sweeter than brown rice syrup. So, it would be best to use ¾ cup of honey to replace one cup of brown rice syrup.
2. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is yet another natural sweetener extracted from maple trees. The Maple tree sap is boiled, and the dirt is removed. The water content of the maple sap is released to make the Maple syrup.
Maple syrup contains manganese, iron, and zinc. If you choose to substitute the brown rice syrup with maple syrup, make sure you choose 100 percent pure and natural.
Maple syrup is equally sweet as honey. You can use the same measurement recommended for honey, i.e., ¾ cup of maple syrup for one cup of brown rice syrup.
3. Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is a replica of brown rice syrup. The cooking techniques and effects are similar for both the corn syrup and the brown rice syrup.
Corn syrup is high in fructose. They are widely used in making hard candies because they can resist the high temperature at which sweet temptations are produced. You can consider it the best substitute for refined sugar, but not a healthier one for brown rice sugar.
Corn syrup is lighter and delicate in color and consistency. It has the same level of sweetness as brown rice syrup. The measurements will be 1:1, i.e., to substitute one cup of brown rice syrup, you need one cup of corn syrup.
4. Barley Malt Syrup
As the name suggests, the barley malt syrup is extracted from the malted barley. It looks similar to molasses but is thick, sticky, and dark brown.
It is used as barbeque sauces to give sweet maltiness to the whole grain bread dough, cookie dough, and cake batters.
Barley Malt syrup is much sweeter than brown rice syrup. So, to replace one cup of brown rice sugar, you need ¾ cup of Barley Malt Syrup. The glycemic index for the Barley Malt syrup is rated at 42 indices.
5. Molasses
Molasses joins the club of natural sweeteners. It is the by-product of sugar production in the sugarcane industry. It is thickening brown and has a low sweetening profile.
It has a bitter taste and is rich in minerals and iron content. It comprises sucrose, glucose, and fructose. One tablespoon of Molasses contains 15 grams of sugar and a glycemic index of 60.
You can take ½ cup of molasses to substitute one cup of brown rice syrup.
6. Date Syrup
Date syrup is one of the best substitutes for Brown rice syrup. Especially if you have access to the middle eastern grocery shop, you will surely have access to date syrup.
It is made from date palm fruits. The date palm is immersed in water and simmered in heat. They are then pressed and strained to get the date syrup.
Date syrup has a silky texture and the natural sweetness of the pulp. It is certainly unbelievable to know that one tablespoon of date syrup contains more than twice the amount of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other antioxidants that brown rice sugar can offer. It has good fiber content and is rich in Vitamin A, B6, and K.
To substitute one cup of brown rice syrup, you need three tablespoons of date syrup.
7. Agave Nectar
Agave is named after a cactus that comes from Mexico. It is usually believed to be a natural sweetener, while it is highly processed.
Agave nectar has a low glycemic index of 30. It contains potassium and sodium. But there is always a confusing controversy about whether they are healthier or just another alternative to sugar.
To substitute one cup of brown rice syrup, you can use ½ to 1/3 cup of agave syrup, commonly called Agave nectar.
8. Stevia
Stevia is a plant-based natural sweetener. It comes from a plant whose leaves are 300 times sweeter than refined sugar. The best part is yet to come. It has zero-calorie and Zero-carbs. So, for all the health-conscious people, look for stevia next time you go grocery shopping.
You need to be very careful about the measurements. Stevia has an aftertaste of licorice. So, use them in moderation.
Above all, a single drop of liquid stevia equals one cup of brown rice sugar or refined sugar. So, be very careful in using the liquid stevia.
9. Glucose Syrup
Glucose syrup is a processed syrup similar to corn syrup. It is widely used in commercial goods as a sweetener or thickener agent.
Glucose syrup can be made using potato, wheat, and rice. It has the same characteristics as corn syrup and can be used in the same measurements as corn syrup, i.e., for every cup of brown rice syrup, you can substitute one cup of glucose syrup.
Factors to be considered before choosing the substitute for Brown Rice Syrup
There are certain factors to be considered before choosing substitutes for brown rice syrup. Let us discuss them in detail.
If you are looking to make up a similar consistency, look for a substitute with the same thickness. The best alternative to give similar consistency is honey, corn syrup, and glucose syrup.
If the focus point is the texture and not the consistency, look for some liquid substitute because you might have an altered texture. Honey, maple syrup, Molasses, or date syrup are the best to give the best-unaltered texture.
If you are focusing only on sweetness, you can choose any of the substitutes mentioned above. The most important factor to keep in mind is that the sweetness of the substitutes may vary. So, keep in mind the sweetness level and infuse it in the appropriate measurements.
Is it possible to make brown rice syrup at home?
Yes. It is certainly possible to make brown rice syrup at home. But patience is the key to success. You have to allow it to ferment well.
Is brown rice syrup healthier than refined sugar?
Both Yes and No. Brown rice syrup is indeed a better substitute than refined sugar. It contains traces of minerals. But that does not recommend high usage of brown rice syrup.
One tablespoon of brown rice syrup contains 50 to 75 calories. Brown rice syrup has a high glycemic index rating of 98. There are high chances for your Blood Sugar levels to spike up.
Each substitute has its pros and cons. Anything in moderation is good to go.
Final Words
Brown rice syrup is a healthier sugar substitute. But that does not make it good to consume in large quantities. The brown rice sugar contains traces of arsenic, which is a toxic substance. It may cause ill health if consumed in excess.
There are great natural and processed sweeteners that can be used to substitute brown rice sugar. Have you used them? If not, use them and let us know your experience.