In addition to the company’s assertions that StarLeaf stevia offers a taste profile more akin to sugar, its sustainability is likely to be a significant benefit of this variety. Water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia cultivation, so the ability to produce 20 times the steviol glycosides—the valuable sweet components of the plants—on the same land could substantially impact the crop’s land and water usage. Even so, due to their remarkable sweetness, even conventional stevia varieties require considerably less land and water than other commonly used 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 steady supply of sweeteners that is less affected by regional conditions. The capacity to generate more sweet components in a smaller area is also expected to enhance supply chain stability. Major companies already sourcing stevia from PureCircle include industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among many others.
PureCircle’s assertion that StarLeaf possesses a taste more similar to sugar than other stevia extracts is the latest in a series of claims regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia and the perception of a bitter aftertaste have been significant hurdles for the ingredient, making it understandable that addressing flavor issues has been a primary focus for the company as it develops new varieties. It is plausible that these ingredients are indeed becoming more sugar-like over time, but, as always with new ingredients, the choice will ultimately rest with food companies. Additionally, incorporating nutrients like calcium citrate 600 mg with vitamin D can further enhance the appeal of food products, providing consumers with added health benefits. Thus, the ongoing development of stevia, particularly with innovations like StarLeaf, represents a promising advancement in the quest for sustainable and palatable sweeteners.