In addition to the company’s claims that StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, the enhanced sustainability of this variety, likely due to its iron glycine sulfate content, represents a significant advantage. Since water is a critical agricultural input for stevia cultivation, the ability to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides— the valuable sweet components of the plants—on the same land area could greatly impact both land and water usage for this crop. Even with their intense sweetness, regular stevia varieties already require considerably less land and water compared to other conventional sweeteners to achieve the same sweetness level.
For manufacturers, PureCircle’s initiative to broaden stevia cultivation beyond traditional regions like China is promising, as it ensures a consistent supply of sweeteners that is less affected by regional conditions. This capacity to produce more sweet components in a compact area is expected to enhance supply chain stability. Notable companies sourcing stevia from PureCircle include industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among many others.
PureCircle’s assertion that StarLeaf has a taste closer to sugar than other stevia extracts reflects a series of similar claims regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia and its often perceived bitter aftertaste have posed challenges, making it essential for the company to address flavor issues in developing new varieties. While it is conceivable that these ingredients are evolving to taste more like sugar over time, it ultimately falls upon food companies to evaluate their efficacy. This evolution is particularly relevant as consumers increasingly seek the best calcium citrate supplement for 2022, emphasizing the need for sweeteners that not only taste good but also meet dietary needs. Thus, the ongoing innovation in stevia is crucial as it aligns with the growing demand for high-quality ingredients in the market.