Are you a fan of using stevia as a natural sweetener in your drinks and recipes?
If so, you may have come across the need to thicken your stevia simple syrup. Whether you want a thicker consistency for your cocktails or to use as a topping for pancakes, there are various ways to achieve the desired texture.
In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for thickening your stevia simple syrup, so you can enjoy your favorite sweet treats with a perfect consistency.
So, let’s dive in!
How To Thicken Stevia Simple Syrup?
1. Use a thickening agent: One of the easiest ways to thicken your stevia simple syrup is to add a thickening agent. Guar gum and xanthan gum are popular options that can be found at health food stores. Simply sprinkle a small amount of the thickening agent into your syrup and whisk vigorously until it reaches the desired consistency.
2. Reduce the water content: Another way to thicken your stevia simple syrup is to reduce the water content. This can be done by simmering the syrup for a longer period of time until it becomes more concentrated. Be careful not to overheat or burn the syrup, as this can affect the taste.
3. Add cornstarch or arrowroot powder: Cornstarch and arrowroot powder are also effective thickeners that can be added to your stevia simple syrup. Mix a small amount of either powder with water to create a slurry, then add it to your syrup and whisk until it thickens.
4. Chill in the refrigerator: If you don’t want to use any thickening agents or alter the recipe, simply chilling your stevia simple syrup in the refrigerator can also help thicken it. The cold temperature will cause the syrup to become more viscous.
Understanding Stevia Simple Syrup
Stevia simple syrup is a calorie-free and sugar-free sweetener that is derived from the Stevia plant. It is an all-natural alternative to traditional sugar and artificial sweeteners like Splenda and Equal. Stevia is 30 times sweeter than sugar, which means you don’t need to use as much of it to sweeten your beverages or desserts.
Stevia simple syrup can be used to sweeten cocktails, mocktails, and desserts without adding extra calories. It is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients, including stevia, water, and a thickening agent if desired.
To thicken your stevia simple syrup, you can use a thickening agent like guar gum or xanthan gum, reduce the water content by simmering the syrup for a longer period of time, or add cornstarch or arrowroot powder to create a slurry. Alternatively, you can simply chill the syrup in the refrigerator to make it more viscous.
Stevia simple syrup is a great option for those who are watching their calorie intake or looking for an all-natural sweetener alternative. By understanding how to thicken your stevia simple syrup, you can customize it to your desired consistency and enjoy guilt-free sweetness in your favorite drinks and desserts.
Why Thicken Stevia Simple Syrup?
Thickening stevia simple syrup can be beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, a thicker consistency can help the syrup adhere better to food or drinks, which can be useful when creating cocktails or adding sweetness to baked goods. Additionally, a thicker syrup can be easier to measure and pour accurately, as it is less likely to drip or run. Finally, thickening the syrup can help to intensify the sweetness, as a more concentrated solution will have a stronger flavor. Overall, thickening stevia simple syrup is a simple and effective way to improve its texture and taste.
Thickening Agents For Stevia Simple Syrup
When it comes to thickening agents for stevia simple syrup, there are a few options available. One popular choice is guar gum, which is derived from the ground seeds of an Indian tree. It is a natural, gluten-free thickener and binder that can be used in liquids like soups, salad dressings, and syrups. Guar gum has eight times the thickening power of cornstarch and can be added to your syrup by sprinkling a small amount and whisking vigorously until it reaches the desired consistency.
Another option is xanthan gum, which is a thickening agent used in everything from toothpaste to salad dressing. It can be found at health food stores and can be added to your stevia simple syrup in small amounts. Sprinkle a quarter of a quarter teaspoon (aka 1/16 teaspoon) of xanthan gum into your syrup and whisk until it thickens to the desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much, as it can make your syrup too thick and gooey.
Cornstarch and arrowroot powder are also effective thickeners that can be added to your stevia simple syrup. Mix a small amount of either powder with water to create a slurry, then add it to your syrup and whisk until it thickens. However, keep in mind that cornstarch may make light-colored berry syrups look more dull or grainy.
If you don’t want to use any thickening agents or alter the recipe, simply chilling your stevia simple syrup in the refrigerator can also help thicken it. The cold temperature will cause the syrup to become more viscous. Overall, there are several options available for thickening stevia simple syrup, so choose the one that works best for you and enjoy your guilt-free sweetener!
How To Thicken Stevia Simple Syrup With Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a common thickening agent that is readily available in most kitchens. Here’s how to use cornstarch to thicken your stevia simple syrup:
1. Make a cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, combine equal parts cornstarch and warm water, starting with 3 tablespoons of each. Mix them together with a spoon until they form a gritty paste.
2. Add the slurry to your syrup: Pour the slurry into your stevia simple syrup and stir it in with a wooden spoon. Start with a small amount of the cornstarch mixture to see how it combines with the syrup. Depending on how thick you’d like your syrup, you can keep adding the cornstarch mixture 1 tablespoon at a time every 5 minutes or so. Stir it into your syrup until it is thick enough for your liking.
3. Heat the syrup: Put the syrup in a saucepan over low heat. Choose a wide saucepan and pour all of your syrup into it. Turn your heat on low and wait for small bubbles to form in your syrup, stirring it occasionally. Don’t let your syrup boil. If you start to see large bubbles, turn down the heat.
4. Test the consistency: To test that the syrup is thick enough to stick onto pancakes or waffles, dip a spoon into the syrup and then hold it above the saucepan. If the syrup falls off the spoon in slow ribbons, it is thick enough.
5. Store and serve: Take your syrup off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Once cool, place it in a jar and store it in the refrigerator to use in drinks and other recipes that call for simple syrup. Drizzle your syrup over breakfast or dessert items.
Using cornstarch as a thickening agent for your stevia simple syrup is an easy and effective way to achieve the desired consistency without adding any unwanted flavors or calories.
How To Thicken Stevia Simple Syrup With Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a popular thickening agent that can be used to thicken stevia simple syrup. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start by making your stevia simple syrup as usual, using your preferred recipe.
2. Once the syrup is ready, sprinkle a small amount of xanthan gum over the mixture. The amount you use will depend on how thick you want the syrup to be. In general, a 0.1% weight ratio will provide light thickening, while a 1.0% ratio will create a very thick sauce.
3. Whisk the xanthan gum vigorously into the syrup until it is fully dissolved. The mixture may clump at first, but keep whisking until it becomes smooth.
4. Heat the mixture over medium to high heat and continue to whisk occasionally. As it comes up to a boil, drop in 5-10 drops of liquid stevia to sweeten the syrup.
5. The xanthan gum will cause the mixture to thicken to the consistency of simple syrup as it reaches boiling point. Let it boil for 2-4 minutes and then pull off the heat and cool.
6. When cool, place in a mason jar and shake well to remove any specks of xanthan gum. Your sugar-free stevia simple syrup is now ready to use!
Remember that adding too much xanthan gum can result in a texture and mouthfeel resembling mucus, so use it sparingly and adjust according to your preference. With this method, you can easily thicken your stevia simple syrup without altering the taste or using any additional ingredients.
Tips For Achieving The Perfect Consistency
1. Start with a small amount of thickening agent: When adding a thickening agent to your stevia simple syrup, it’s best to start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed. This will prevent your syrup from becoming too thick or lumpy.
2. Use a whisk: When whisking your syrup with a thickening agent, use a whisk instead of a spoon. This will help ensure that the agent is evenly distributed throughout the syrup and prevent clumps from forming.
3. Simmer on low heat: If you choose to reduce the water content of your stevia simple syrup, it’s important to simmer it on low heat. This will help prevent burning and ensure that the syrup retains its flavor.
4. Be patient: Achieving the perfect consistency for your stevia simple syrup may take some time and experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different methods and adjust the amount of thickening agent or water content as needed.
