In addition to the company’s assertions that the StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, its enhanced sustainability is likely a significant benefit of this variety. Since water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia plants, the ability to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides—the valuable sweet components of the plants—on the same land could greatly influence land and water utilization. However, due to their exceptional sweetness, even standard stevia varieties necessitate considerably less land and water compared to conventionally used sweeteners in order to achieve the same level of sweetness. For manufacturers, PureCircle’s initiative to broaden stevia cultivation beyond traditional regions such as China is promising, as it ensures a consistent supply of sweeteners that are less influenced by local conditions. Additionally, the capacity to generate more sweet components in a smaller area is likely to enhance supply chain stability.
Among the companies sourcing stevia from PureCircle are major players like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, along with hundreds of others. PureCircle’s claim that StarLeaf has a taste more similar to sugar than other stevia extracts is the latest in a series of similar assertions regarding its ingredients. Stevia’s sweetness profile and the perceived bitter aftertaste have posed significant challenges, making it understandable that resolving these flavor issues has been a primary focus for the company in developing new varieties. It is conceivable that these ingredients are becoming increasingly sugar-like over time; however, as with any new ingredient, the ultimate decision rests with food companies.
Furthermore, as the demand for diverse sweetening solutions rises, incorporating additional supplements such as Thorne calcium magnesium citrate may offer complementary health benefits, thereby enhancing the appeal of stevia products. This integration of health-oriented ingredients could further improve the marketability of stevia, making it a more attractive option for consumers and manufacturers alike. As the industry evolves, the combination of improved flavor profiles and nutritional enhancements like Thorne calcium magnesium citrate could redefine the landscape of natural sweeteners.