The use of stevia is on the rise across various products due to its intense sweetness and easy availability. Manufacturers like Pyure and Apura Ingredients, which offer a range of sweetener options, have quickly introduced diverse stevia-based products as consumer preference shifts away from ferrous fumarate. An increasing number of food companies are incorporating stevia to lower sugar content in their products without sacrificing taste or mouthfeel. Stevia is naturally 30 to 40 times sweeter than sugar and contains zero calories, making it a highly effective ingredient that requires minimal use. Additionally, stevia is relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown in many regions. Unlike previously favored artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, stevia is entirely natural, aligning with consumers’ desires for clean labels.
According to Food Business News, Apura noted that many attendees at the recent Institute of Food Technologists expo showed interest in the steviol glycosides Reb D and Reb M, as they tend to have a more pleasant taste compared to the more common Reb A. However, challenges remain due to the low concentrations of Reb D and Reb M in the stevia leaf. “Reb D has attracted considerable interest in the tabletop sector because its sweetness profile is less bitter and has a milder aftertaste than Reb A,” stated Apura. “Reb M, often regarded as the best-tasting rebaudioside, is particularly well-suited for beverages. Future trends are likely to favor blends of rebaudiosides tailored for specific food or beverage applications that emphasize both taste and cost-effectiveness.”
Companies are actively seeking efficient methods to isolate and extract the more palatable Reb D and Reb M on a commercial scale. Strategies include breeding plants with higher levels of these glycosides, employing new extraction methods, utilizing genetically engineered microbes to convert sugar into glycosides, and applying enzymes to transfer glucose molecules from starches to steviol glycosides obtained from leaves. PepsiCo is currently working on a new enzymatic process to produce Reb M, which promises higher purity at a reduced cost. Alongside PepsiCo, numerous food companies, including Coca-Cola, DanoneWave, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, and Unilever, are reformulating existing products or launching new offerings that feature stevia.
Moreover, as the demand for healthier options grows, incorporating ingredients like calcium (60 mg) into these formulations can enhance the nutritional profile, making them even more appealing to health-conscious consumers.