agave identification chart

How do I identify agave?

Look for thick, stiff symmetrical leaves ranging in color from blue-gray to gray or blue to dark-blue with spiny margins that taper to a sharp point. The dark-red or black spines growing from the leaf margins are about 1/3-inch long and those growing from the tips grow to around 1/2-inch long.

What are the different types of agave?

Commonly grown species. Some commonly grown species include Agave americana, Agave angustifolia, Agave tequilana, Agave attenuata, Agave parviflora, Agave murpheyi, Agave vilmoriniana, Agave palmeri, Agave parryi, and Agave victoriae-reginae.

How old is my agave?

Agaves are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering. Agave americana, the most common agave in the Southwest, has the common name “century plant” because it supposedly takes a century to bloom. Actually, it's 15 to 20 years…sooner, if you pamper it with rich soil and ample water.

How many species of agave are there?

As of May 2019, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families and Plants of the World Online recognize about 270 species of Agave plus a number of natural hybrids. This includes species formerly placed in Manfreda and Polianthes. Other sources may use different circumscriptions.

Why agave is bad for you?

Your body is well equipped to handle the small amounts of fructose found in fruit. Because agave syrup is much higher in fructose than plain sugar, it has greater potential to cause adverse health effects, such as increased belly fat and fatty liver disease.

Is agave poisonous to dogs?

Agave (Agave spp.), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, is mildly toxic to dogs and humans when ingested.

What is agave used for?

Agave nectar, or agave syrup, is a natural sweetener commonly used in food and drinks. It can be used as a substitute for sugar, simple syrup, honey, and molasses to sweeten a variety of beverages, including cocktails, coffee, and tea. The flavor of agave nectar is unique.

Which Agave is used for tequila?

The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila; other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque. There are more than 300 agave species. An agave plant takes eight to 12 years to mature.

Where does agave grow best?

Agaves grow best in the Southwest and Mediterranean climates, but are adaptable and can also be grown out of their zones in pots if given winter protection.

Can you stop an agave from flowering?

ANSWER: No, cutting off the stalk of buds before the agave blooms is not likely to save the plant. The reason Century Plants are called that is that it takes them up to 40 years (but not a century) to bloom.

What happens to Agave after they flower?

American agave plants are known for their fairly fatalistic life cycles: live, die, repeat. After blooming, the plants are expected to die shortly thereafter, usually leaving behind clones of themselves in the form of seeds.

How long do agave plants live?

There are over 250 agave species and most flower towards the end of their life and then die. Actually, the length of time an agave lives is largely dependent on the species. In my experience in the managed landscapes, most agave live approximately 5 – 15 years, once planted from a 5-gallon container.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

No, not necessarily. It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.

What is the difference between maguey and agave?

Though resembling a cactus, complete with thorny edges, the maguey is actually a member of the agave family – a cousin to the Tequila blue agave. Each plant will produce up to 50 leaves about 4” wide and up to 5 feet in length.

What is difference between tequila and mezcal?

Tequila is typically produced by steaming the agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled two or three times in copper pots. Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside earthen pits that are lined with lava rocks and filled with wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.

What is the healthiest sugar substitute?

Stevia is probably the healthiest option, followed by xylitol, erythritol, and yacon syrup. Natural sugars like maple syrup, molasses, and honey are less harmful than regular sugar and even have health benefits. Yet, they should still be used sparingly.

What is better stevia or agave?

Agave nectar is sweet because it contains sugar; stevia has no sugar at all. Because agave nectar contains sugar, it does contain calories; in fact, it has more calories than an equivalent serving size of sugar. Stevia has no calories, which makes it the better option if you are trying to lose weight.

Is agave worse than sugar?

Agave is not a healthful replacement for table sugar. While it is less harmful and more natural, people who are closely managing blood glucose should avoid agave. The high fructose content can reduce insulin sensitivity and may worsen liver health. Agave is also a higher-calorie sweetener than table sugar.

How often do you water agave?

Agaves require little attention to thrive. Water the plant every 4-5 days for the first month or two. After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location.

Can I give my dog agave syrup?

Is honey or agave better? ... Also, agave nectar is thought by some health professionals to not be the great wonder sweetener that some make it out to be. That's really out of my area of expertise as a veterinarian, but in small amounts you are not likely to do any harm to your dog.

Are agave plants dangerous?

Agave Poisoning Symptoms

University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources characterizes agave as being mildly toxic. It describes the plant as having oxalate crystals in its leaves, which can cause extreme irritation.