| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
bardofely Supreme Reefer



Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2884 Location: Playa San Marcos, Tenerife
|
Post subject: Swan's neck Agave |
|
|
The Swan's Neck Agave (Agave attenuata) is a common and distinctive sight in parks, gardens and roadside borders around the island of Tenerife and it is planted because of its highly distinctive and ornamental greyish spiky leaves and huge drooping flowering spike. It is also known as Lion's Tail and Fox Tail Agave.
After flowering the plant dies but leaves daughter plants and produces thousands of tiny seeds.
 |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:33 am
 |
|
 |
Chris_and_Leanne Supreme Reefer



Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 1932
|
Post subject: |
|
|
I eat the juice of this to naturally sweeten my goats yogurt, poridge, herbal teas etc
It is natural, healthy alternative to sugar and it is lovely !
Lea x _________________ www.secretgardenholistics.com
Holistic Therapist and Reiki Practioner, Burnley, UK. |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:50 pm
 |
|
 |
bardofely Supreme Reefer



Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2884 Location: Playa San Marcos, Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
| Chris_and_Leanne wrote: | I eat the juice of this to naturally sweeten my goats yogurt, poridge, herbal teas etc
It is natural, healthy alternative to sugar and it is lovely !
Lea x |
Are you sure its from Agave attenuata? If it is its the first I have heard of it but I know other agaves can be used!
I just found this great site about agaves though:
http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/agave_culture.htm
That's yet another untapped resource here - farmers could grow these plants for sugar or for tequila! 
Last edited by bardofely on Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:37 pm
 |
|
 |
rob Moderator



Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 7082 Location: Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
I love the colour of this plant, the ones to the left, not the flowering one. You're also showing a couple of lovely mock pepper trees in the background Bard. _________________ .
Who am I? Follow the myspacetenerife link under my avatar.
Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing. |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:40 pm
 |
|
 |
bardofely Supreme Reefer



Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2884 Location: Playa San Marcos, Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
| rob wrote: | | I love the colour of this plant, the ones to the left, not the flowering one. You're also showing a couple of lovely mock pepper trees in the background Bard. |
Well spotted, Rob! Yes, they are Pepper Trees (Schinus molle) and the ground dried berries can be used as a substitute pepper. It's a beautiful tree I think! |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:47 pm
 |
|
 |
rob Moderator



Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 7082 Location: Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
I've tried them but found them virtually tasteless. If you touch the leaves, particularly in the flowering season, they really smell of pepper. _________________ .
Who am I? Follow the myspacetenerife link under my avatar.
Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing. |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:49 pm
 |
|
 |
bardofely Supreme Reefer



Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2884 Location: Playa San Marcos, Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
| rob wrote: | | I've tried them but found them virtually tasteless. If you touch the leaves, particularly in the flowering season, they really smell of pepper. |
It's the seed inside that has the flavour I seem to recall. I have chewed them and found them quite strong. |
|
Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:56 pm
 |
|
 |
Chris_and_Leanne Supreme Reefer



Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 1932
|
Post subject: |
|
|
This is what I have it is called "biona" organic agave syrup...... other writing on here says... agavensirup aus kontrolliert biologieschem anbau, sirop d' agave issus de culture biologique, ingredients, 100% agave syrup produced using only solar energy and wind..........
Got to get back to work now speak late x _________________ www.secretgardenholistics.com
Holistic Therapist and Reiki Practioner, Burnley, UK. |
|
Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:37 pm
 |
|
 |
bardofely Supreme Reefer



Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2884 Location: Playa San Marcos, Tenerife
|
Post subject: |
|
|
| Chris_and_Leanne wrote: | This is what I have it is called "biona" organic agave syrup...... other writing on here says... agavensirup aus kontrolliert biologieschem anbau, sirop d' agave issus de culture biologique, ingredients, 100% agave syrup produced using only solar energy and wind..........
Got to get back to work now speak late x |
I still don't think its made from the Swan's Neck type - there are species listed agave sugar is collected from---that's not to say it couldn't be!
"Produced using only solar energy" could be said about most crops - its a fancy way of saying grown in the sun!
That site I found says there is going to be a call for this in 2009 because farmers have been growing other crops instead. I think it could be done here seeing as agaves grow so well in Tenerife! |
|
Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:47 pm
 |
|
 |
|