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Why Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup?

Lang's Chocolates offers a sampling of decadent and luxurious hand-crafted chocolate treats.

Posted by William Lang on Nov 09 2025

🍯 Why Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup (DE 42) Is a Better Choice Than Corn Syrup

A Healthier, More Natural Sweetener for the Modern Kitchen

In today’s world of processed foods and artificial sweeteners, the quest for a natural, functional, and inflammation-friendly sweetener has never been more important. That’s where Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup (DE 42) shines — a golden, plant-based syrup that brings balanced sweetness, clean flavor, and better-for-you benefits compared to traditional corn syrup.

For bakers, chocolatiers, and health-minded home cooks, it’s time to rethink what sweetness can mean for your recipes — and your body.


🌾 What Is Brown Rice Syrup (DE 42)?

Brown rice syrup is a natural sweetener made by enzymatically breaking down the starches in organic brown rice into simpler sugars: maltose, maltotriose, and glucose.
The “DE 42” (Dextrose Equivalent 42) rating means that 42% of the starches have been converted into sugar, giving the syrup a perfect balance of mild sweetness, viscosity, and stability.

This level (DE 42) is prized for:

  • Excellent binding ability in granola bars and confections

  • Smooth mouthfeel in sauces and glazes

  • Reduced crystallization, ideal for caramels and chocolate coatings

Unlike refined corn syrup, Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup retains its natural nutrients and is free from GMOs, artificial additives, and high fructose.


🧬 Why Corn Syrup Can Be a Problem

Corn syrup — especially high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) — may be cheap and effective for mass production, but the cost to your health can be significant.

⚠️ 1. Promotes Inflammation

Research in The Journal of Nutrition and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition links high-fructose intake to increased inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid. Chronic inflammation is now understood to play a role in metabolic disorders, heart disease, and liver issues.

⚠️ 2. Strains the Liver

Fructose is metabolized almost entirely in the liver, where it can be converted into fat. Excessive intake can increase triglycerides, fatty liver risk, and insulin resistance.

⚠️ 3. Ultra-Processed and GMO-Based

Most industrial corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn and undergoes heavy chemical processing. What’s left is a highly refined sugar source with no nutritional value and a high glycemic impact.

In short: corn syrup may deliver sweetness, but it often comes at a metabolic cost.


🌿 The Keystone Pantry Difference: Clean, Organic, and Functional

Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup (DE 42) is designed for purity, functionality, and better health outcomes. Here’s why it’s the superior choice:

✅ Organic & Non-GMO

Made from organic brown rice — never genetically modified. Certified organic means no synthetic chemicals or hidden ingredients.

✅ Low Fructose = Lower Inflammation

Brown rice syrup contains virtually no fructose. Its glucose-based structure leads to a steady energy release and avoids the inflammation spikes tied to high-fructose corn syrup.

✅ Balanced Sweetness (DE 42)

At DE 42, Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup has about half the sweetness of table sugar, making it ideal for applications where you want texture, moisture, and natural flavor development — without excessive sweetness.

✅ Gentle on Digestion

Because it’s easy to digest and doesn’t overload the liver, it’s a smart choice for people seeking a clean-label sweetener that supports digestive wellness.

✅ Crafted for Sustainability

Produced under the Keystone Pantry brand — the innovative sister brand of Lang’s Chocolates, a family-owned company in Williamsport, PA — our syrup reflects nearly two decades of artisan food craftsmanship.


🍪 How to Use Brown Rice Syrup in Your Kitchen

Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup isn’t just a sweetener — it’s a functional ingredient that improves texture, binding, and moisture retention.

Here are some delicious and practical applications:

🥣 1. Granola & Protein Bars

Acts as a natural binder and adds chewiness while reducing processed sugar.

🍗 2. Glazes & Marinades

Provides a rich shine and mild caramelization for meats, roasted vegetables, and sauces.

🧁 3. Baking & Pastries

Prevents crystallization, enhances browning, and keeps baked goods soft and fresh.

🍫 4. Confections & Chocolates

Excellent for soft caramels, truffles, and fudge. It blends beautifully with cocoa and cream, offering stability and a natural sweetness.

🥤 5. Beverages & Smoothies

Adds body and gentle sweetness without the metabolic load of high-fructose syrups.


🔬 Science Spotlight: Inflammation and Sweeteners

Not all sugars act the same way in the body.
Studies have found that fructose-heavy sweeteners (like HFCS) trigger inflammation pathways more aggressively than glucose-based ones.

  • A 2015 study in Nutrition & Metabolism showed higher inflammatory markers after consuming fructose versus glucose.

  • A 2019 review in Frontiers in Nutrition confirmed that reducing fructose intake can decrease chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Since brown rice syrup (DE 42) contains almost no fructose, it’s a safer and cleaner choice for those looking to minimize inflammation while maintaining sweetness.


💡 Final Thoughts

In the ongoing debate of brown rice syrup vs. corn syrup, Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup (DE 42) stands apart as a superior choice.

You’re not just replacing a sweetener — you’re upgrading your recipes with:

  • Organic, non-GMO integrity

  • Balanced sweetness and rich texture

  • Anti-inflammatory benefits

  • Culinary versatility

Make sweetness smarter. Choose Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup — where health meets function in every drop.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does DE 42 mean in brown rice syrup?
DE stands for Dextrose Equivalent. A DE 42 syrup means 42% of its starches have been converted into sugars, giving it moderate sweetness and an ideal texture for cooking and baking.

Q2: Is brown rice syrup healthier than corn syrup?
Yes. Brown rice syrup contains little to no fructose, while corn syrup (especially HFCS) is high in fructose, which has been linked to chronic inflammation and liver stress.

Q3: Can I use Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup as a 1:1 substitute for corn syrup?
Yes — it substitutes easily in most recipes, though you may notice a milder, more natural sweetness and smoother flavor profile.

Q4: Is Keystone Pantry Organic Brown Rice Syrup vegan and gluten-free?
Absolutely! It’s 100% vegan, gluten-free, and made solely from organic brown rice and natural enzymes.

Q5: What types of products benefit from using DE 42 brown rice syrup?
It’s widely used in granola bars, candies, cereals, sauces, ice creams, and bakery items for its excellent binding, moisture retention, and mild caramel flavor.

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