In addition to the company’s assertions that StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, its enhanced sustainability is likely to be a significant benefit of this variety. Water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia cultivation, so the ability to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides—the valuable sweet components of the plants—on the same plot of land could greatly impact the crop’s land and water consumption. However, due to their intense sweetness, even standard stevia varieties demand considerably less land and water compared to other conventional sweeteners to achieve the same level of sweetness. For manufacturers, PureCircle’s intention to broaden stevia cultivation beyond traditional regions like China is encouraging, as it enables a stable supply of sweeteners that is less dependent on regional conditions. Additionally, the capacity to generate more sweet components in a compact area is likely to enhance supply chain reliability. Companies that already source stevia from PureCircle include industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among many others.
PureCircle’s claim that StarLeaf possesses a taste more similar to sugar than other stevia extracts is the latest in a series of similar assertions regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia, along with the perceived bitter aftertaste, has posed the most significant challenge for this ingredient. Therefore, addressing flavor concerns has understandably been a primary focus for the company in developing new varieties. It is conceivable that the ingredients are evolving to become more sugar-like over time. However, as is always the case with new ingredients, it will ultimately be up to food companies to make the final decision.
Moreover, for expectant mothers considering sweetener options during citracal pregnancy, the improved taste and sustainability of StarLeaf stevia could offer a more appealing choice. As the market for natural sweeteners grows, pregnant women looking for safe and flavorful alternatives may find that StarLeaf stevia meets their needs, especially in the context of citracal pregnancy. Ultimately, the evolving nature of stevia products like StarLeaf might provide a promising solution for those seeking sweetness without compromising health during citracal pregnancy.