The Story of Maguey Agave
It is mentioned so often on the food network in such shows as Marcela Valladoloid’s “Mexican Made Easy” , “Cooking For Real” with Sunny Anderson and many others, yet not many know that this wonder product is made right here in South Africa.
The health benefits of Maguey Agave are many, most especially for Diabetics. But it is definetly good for all consumers especially in view of the fact that all of us want to have healthier eating habits.
Maguey Agave is also used extensively in the manufacture of Chocolates, Yoghurts, Mayonnaise, Cereals, Baked Goods, Ice Cream and a number of other food products.
So if you would like to cut normal table sugar out of your diet but still get the benefit of ‘sweetness’ AND be healthy! Maguey Agave should be your ‘healthy’ alternative.
The Blue Agave which originated out of South America is used to make Agave Syrup and Sugar and though not endemic to South Africa, they have long since made their home here.
The plants arrived hundreds of years ago on our coast line via vessels especially Spanish Galleons that were wrecked and ran aground. These Galleons travelled mainly between South America and the East and carried Agave plants as ballast and feed for the stock on board these wooden ships.
Many of these galleons succumbed to the harsh weather conditions of the South African wild coast and were lost, but the Agave plants which were on board floated off and landed on the beaches.
These plants adapted well and started growing and when the 1820 settlers arrived in South Africa, it was noted that the Agave plant was indeed very hardy and would be well suited as an alternative feed source in arid areas such as the Karoo, where many settlers had been given farms.
Around about this time a Miss Rubidge (Whose father farmed in Graaff-Reinet and her decendants still do) was on holiday in Port Alfred, and on her return to the farm brought back half a dozen Agave Pups for her dad to plant out.
Mr Rubridge was initially not interested, but after leaving the Agave Pups in a shed for a year and noting that they were still alive, planted them out adjacent to his house.
Within a few years these pups had become giants and had started to produce their own off spring under the mother plants.
Mr Rubidge then experienced a severe drought and as a last resort to save his sheep herds started mashing up the Agave plants which proved an ideal feed in these harsh times.
Immediately more plants were brought in and large plantations eventually settled, which in years to come proved not only a source of emergency feed but also a source of fibre, which was used to make ropes, bags, mats and bedding in mattresses and pillows.
In 2006 Brian Neary was asked to consult at an Agave Distillery that had been set up in Graaff-Reinet which produced a 'Tequila' like product from the Blue Agave plants that grew in abundance in this area.
After completing this Consultation work he then proceeded to formulate Agave Syrup and Sugar and after two years of trial and error eventually started his own business making Agave Syrup, Agave Sugar and later Agave Inulin.
Maguey Agave was born!!!
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