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 benefit of this variety. Given that water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia cultivation, the ability to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides— the valuable sweet components of the plants— on the same land could markedly reduce both land and water usage for this crop. However, it is worth noting that even conventional stevia varieties, due to their high sweetness levels, require considerably less land and water compared to other traditional sweeteners to achieve the same level of sweetness. For manufacturers, PureCircle’s initiative to extend stevia cultivation beyond established regions like China is promising, as it ensures a steady supply of sweeteners that is not dependent on local conditions. Additionally, the capacity to generate more sweet components in a smaller area is likely to bolster supply chain stability. Major companies such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among many others, are already sourcing stevia from PureCircle.
PureCircle’s claim that StarLeaf possesses a taste closer to sugar than other stevia extracts follows a series of similar assertions regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia and its often perceived bitter aftertaste have posed significant challenges for the ingredient, making it understandable that addressing flavor concerns has been a primary focus for the company in the development of new types. While it is conceivable that the flavor profile of the ingredients is becoming increasingly sugar-like over time, ultimately, the decision will rest with food manufacturers.
Moreover, it’s interesting to consider the potential therapeutic response to calcium citrate in this context. Just as the development of StarLeaf aims to enhance the flavor and usability of stevia, understanding the therapeutic response to calcium citrate can also play a role in formulating products that cater to health-conscious consumers. As companies strive to improve the taste of their sweeteners, they may also explore the health benefits associated with various ingredients, including calcium citrate, making them more appealing to a broader audience. Thus, the interplay between flavor enhancement and health benefits, such as the therapeutic response to calcium citrate, could shape the future landscape of sweetener options.