Petimezi is basically grape molasses, and it can be defined as a syrup that’s reduced to achieve the syrup texture and dark appearance. It has a sweet flavor and bitter undertones. Naturally, Petimezi is sweet and is produced by cooking grapes.
For the longest time, it has been used as a natural sweetener and can be used as a substitute for sugar to make sure it’s healthier. However, it’s not readily available, but there are various substitutes that one can try!
Petimezi Substitutes
- Honey
First of all, honey is one of the easiest substitutes that you can try. It has a sweet flavor with floral undertones. In addition, it has a golden appearance. Keep in mind there are different types of honey available in the market, so you can find the type that’s closer to Petimezi in appear. For instance, you can opt for buckwheat honey as it has a deep color and flavor. Having said that, you can opt for a 1:1 substitution to compensate for the sweetness.
- Sorghum Syrup
It is commonly known as sorghum molasses and is similar to grape syrup. As the name suggests, it’s made from sorghum and is popular for its sweet and sour flavor. Keep in mind that it has a thinner texture as compared to Petimezi, and you can start with a 1:1 substitution. It is readily available in the United States and has a sweet flavor, which is why it can be used as a sweetener. As far as production is concerned, it is made by processing and cooking the sorghum plant. It has a high iron, which makes it a healthier alternative.
- Maple Syrup
To begin with, the flavor is different from Petimezi as its flavor has caramel and malty tones. In fact, it’s available in various colors, and when you want to substitute Petimezi, it’s recommended that you opt for a darker variety. It is usually thinner when compared to Petimezi as it has around 34% of water content. It can be used in baking recipes, such as cakes. As far as substitution is concerned, you should choose a 1:1 substitution ratio, but if it’s too thin, you could try using less maple syrup and adding some more sugar to compensate for the sweetness.
- Dark Corn Syrup
Just like Petimezi, the dark corn syrup can be used as a liquid sweetener and has a sultry color. However, its flavor is not as complex as Petimezi’s as the sweetness is more neutral. To use it as a substitute, it’s recommended that you use 50% dark corn syrup and 50% brown sugar or honey. This is because mixing these two ingredients will help increase the sweetness. All in all, it is readily available in the grocery store.
The dark corn syrup looks like Petimezi as it’s made from refiner’s sugar (yes, it’s a form of molasses). The addition of refiner’s sugar not only darkens the color but also adds a molasses-like flavor. In fact, dark corn syrup is available in caramel flavor, so purchasing that is recommended if you don’t like too much sweetness.
- Golden Syrup
Commonly known as light treacle, golden syrup is one of the best substitutes for Petimezi and is widely used in England. It is produced by evaporating and reducing the sugarcane juice until it achieves a thick consistency. With the reduction process, golden syrup achieves the golden color that it’s popular for. If you are concerned about flavor, it’s toasted, and you can leverage a 1:1 substitution ratio.
- Brown Sugar
Many people don’t know this, but brown sugar has molasses, which means it’s processed until it creates granules. In addition, after this, the molasses are added to achieve a brown appearance. What we love about dark brown sugar is that it’s similar to molasses, which is one reason it can be used to replace Petimezi. However, it is a dry sweetener, which means you can add some water to create a liquid sweetener.
- Cranberry Juice
Cranberries have a somewhat similar flavor to grapes, which is why cranberry juice can be used to replace Petimezi. However, these berries have a lighter and milder flavor, which is why it’s recommended that you enhance the flavor by adding honey. In addition to adding honey, you can also add some sugar and cook the cranberry juice to reduce the volume and makes sure that it achieves a thick texture.