No, rice syrup is not exactly like golden syrup, although they share some similarities as sweeteners.
While both rice malt syrup and golden syrup are syrups used as sweeteners and might appear similar, they have distinct differences in their composition, taste, and properties. Rice malt syrup, also referred to as rice syrup, while resembling syrups like golden syrup, treacle, maple syrup, honey, or molasses, possesses a different sugar makeup that leads to a less sweet flavor compared to many other sweeteners.
Here's a breakdown:
- Sugar Composition: Rice syrup is primarily composed of maltose. Golden syrup mainly contains sucrose and fructose. This difference leads to varied sweetness levels and glycemic indexes.
- Sweetness: Rice syrup is generally considered less sweet than golden syrup.
- Glycemic Index (GI): Rice syrup has a high glycemic index. The provided reference mentions a GI of 98. Because golden syrup contains fructose, which is metabolized differently than glucose, it has a lower GI.
- Flavor Profile: While both offer sweetness, golden syrup has a distinct buttery caramel flavour. Rice syrup has a more subtle flavour.
In summary, although both are syrups used for sweetening, rice syrup differs from golden syrup in terms of sweetness, sugar composition, and taste.
