The main reason Stevia can replace sucrose is that its sweetness is 30-450 times sweeter than sucrose, and it is low in calories. The sweet ingredients in Stevia Extract Powder are collectively referred to as steviol glycosides. Below is a detailed introduction to why Stevia tastes like sugar.
Stevia Sweet Tasted Reason
The sweeteners that occur naturally in Stevia are often called steviol glycoside compounds. Sweet ingredients come from Stevioside (ST) and Rebaudioside A (RA). ST is the main sweet compound in Stevia, accounting for about 3-8% of dry leaf weight. Next is RA, accounting for about 1%. It has attracted attention because of its high sweetness quality.
The sweetener with Stevioside as the main ingredient contains the ingredients Stevioside and Rebaudioside A. As its main ingredient, ST, its sweetness is similar to sucrose. But it still has some bitterness. Therefore, usually, only 10~30% of the sweetness can be replaced in sweet foods. This is widely used in combination with sugar sweeteners to improve food quality and reduce the cost of sweeteners.
Compared with ST, the sweetener with Rebaudioside A as the main ingredient has a taste closer to sucrose. However, it is less abundant in the dry leaves of Stevia, and the production cost is relatively high.
Sweet Source: Stevia vs. Synthetic Sweetener vs. Sucrose
There are currently 3 sources of sweetness on the market: sucrose, artificial sweeteners, and Stevia.
Sucrose is a naturally derived sweetener, but it is high in calories.
Artificial sweeteners do not contain calories, but their safety is bound to be significantly reduced through artificial synthesis.
In this way, the advantages of Stevia are obvious. It is a natural, calorie-free sweetener with a good taste. It is also safe for people with diabetes, pregnant women and patients. Plus, Stevia does not cause dental caries.
How Is Stevia Used?
1. Mixed
Although Stevia is sweet, it has a bitter aftertaste. This factor has been affecting the promotion and application of Stevia. When it is mixed with citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid and amino acid, it can eliminate the influence of the aftertaste of Stevia. It is beneficial to improve the taste of Stevia.
2. Compound sweeteners
Combine Stevia with other sweeteners to make compound sweeteners. In addition to solving the problem of Stevia's bitter aftertaste, it can also reduce the total amount of sweeteners used and reduce costs through the synergistic chemical effect of the compound. Such as the natural compounding of erythritol and Stevia.
Therefore, it can be used alone or mixed with sucrose in various foods or beverages as a sweetness improver and enhancer.
Summary
At present, the combination of natural sweetener Stevia is more and more in line with the trend of people pursuing natural and healthy. Most importantly, consumers of Stevia Extract Powder products are not limited to the obese. Its multifunctional health benefits are suitable for all groups of people.