In addition to the company’s assertions that StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, enhanced sustainability is likely to be a significant advantage of this variety. Water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia cultivation, and the capacity to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides— the plants’ valuable sweet components— on the same plot of land could greatly impact the crop’s land and water utilization. Even so, due to their intense sweetness, even traditional stevia varieties require considerably less land and water than other commonly used sweeteners to achieve the same level of sweetness. For manufacturers, PureCircle’s initiative to expand stevia cultivation beyond conventional regions like China is promising, ensuring a dependable supply of sweeteners unaffected by local conditions. The ability to generate more sweet components in a smaller area is also likely to enhance supply chain stability. Notable companies already sourcing stevia from PureCircle include industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among countless others.
PureCircle’s assertion that StarLeaf has a taste more reminiscent of sugar compared to other stevia extracts is the latest in a series of similar claims regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia, along with its perceived bitter aftertaste, has posed significant challenges for the ingredient. Thus, addressing flavor issues has been a primary focus for the company in developing new varieties. It is plausible that the ingredients are evolving to be more sugar-like over time; however, as with any new ingredients, it will ultimately be up to food companies to make the decision. Additionally, for those looking for alternative nutritional supplements, bluebonnet liquid calcium magnesium could be a beneficial choice to complement the dietary needs that come with sugar alternatives. This highlights the growing trend of exploring various ingredients, such as bluebonnet liquid calcium magnesium, that cater to a more health-conscious consumer base.