Agave syrup
Agave syrup suppliers and sourcing guide
Agave syrup is a sweetener made from the core (piña) of agave plants, mainly blue agave (Agave tequilana) grown in Mexico. The piñas are pressed or diffused to extract juice rich in fructans (chains of fructose), which are broken down by heat or enzymes into mostly fructose, then filtered and evaporated to a syrup. It is sold in light, amber and dark grades, often certified organic, and some suppliers also offer agave inulin as a separate fiber ingredient.
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Also known as
- Agave nectar · Blue agave syrup · Agave tequilana syrup
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of agave syrup
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Light
Highly filtered, lightly heated syrup with a mild flavor for beverages and dairy-style products.
Amber and dark
Less filtered or longer-cooked syrups with caramel notes for bars, baked goods and sauces.
Organic
Syrup from certified organic agave, the most common premium grade; the certificate should name the processing plant.
Raw or low-temperature
Syrup hydrolyzed with enzymes at lower temperatures; process temperature claims should be backed by the supplier's process description.
Agave syrup powder
Syrup dried with a carrier such as agave inulin or maltodextrin for dry mixes; the carrier belongs on the specification.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Brix
- Soluble solids by refractometer against the supplier's specification; this sets sweetness per kilogram and microbial stability.
- Sugar profile (HPLC)
- Fructose, glucose, sucrose and residual fructans by HPLC; the fructose share defines the product and residual fructan shows incomplete hydrolysis.
- Authenticity
- Screens such as NMR or oligosaccharide profiling for added corn or cane syrup; agave's carbon isotope signature overlaps with corn, so a simple C4 test is less useful.
- HMF and color
- Hydroxymethylfurfural by HPLC and color by absorbance, which track heat exposure during hydrolysis and storage.
- Microbiology
- Yeast, mold and osmophilic yeast counts, since high-sugar syrups can still ferment if condensation dilutes the surface.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic by ICP-MS against the buyer's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store agave syrup closed in a cool, dry area away from direct sun; it rarely crystallizes but darkens with heat and time. Condensation in opened containers can dilute the top layer and allow yeast growth, so keep lids closed and avoid temperature swings. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with Brix, color and micro rechecked on older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, fructose content and residual fructans vary with plant maturity and process conditions, so record the HPLC profile, Brix and color for each lot. Keep authenticity results on file for each supplier and recheck when switching sources.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's 2019 added sugars guidance notes that the 2018 Farm Bill provides that the Nutrition Facts label of single-ingredient agave packaged and sold on its own need not bear the "Includes Xg Added Sugars" declaration.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Agave tequilana concerns the syrup and records a member state's confirmation of a history of consumption of the syrup as food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Agave syrup suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking agave syrup suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell agave syrup? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of agave syrup can brands buy?
Common forms include light, amber and dark, organic, raw or low-temperature and agave syrup powder. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for agave syrup include?
Expect brix, sugar profile (HPLC), authenticity, hMF and color, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should agave syrup be stored?
Store agave syrup closed in a cool, dry area away from direct sun; it rarely crystallizes but darkens with heat and time. Condensation in opened containers can dilute the top layer and allow yeast growth, so keep lids closed and avoid temperature swings. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with Brix, color and micro rechecked on older stock.
What is the regulatory status of agave syrup?
FDA's 2019 added sugars guidance notes that the 2018 Farm Bill provides that the Nutrition Facts label of single-ingredient agave packaged and sold on its own need not bear the "Includes Xg Added Sugars" declaration. The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Agave tequilana concerns the syrup and records a member state's confirmation of a history of consumption of the syrup as food.
More sweeteners
- AlluloseD-allulose · D-psicose
- Monk Fruit ExtractLuo han guo extract · Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract
- Steviastevia leaf extract · steviol glycosides
- SucraloseE955 · 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside
- AspartameE951 · L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester
- Acesulfame potassiumAcesulfame K · Ace-K
- SaccharinSodium saccharin · Calcium saccharin
- NeotameE961 · N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester
- AdvantameE969 · CAS 714229-20-6
- ErythritolE968 · meso-erythritol
- XylitolE967 · birch sugar
- SorbitolE420 · D-glucitol
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.