According to Mintel, a significant majority of American consumers (84%) are reducing their sugar intake. This shift has driven a rising demand for alternative sweeteners, with stevia experiencing the most rapid growth in this category last year. Additionally, sales of other natural sweeteners, both caloric and low-calorie, such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also increasing. However, manufacturers face taste challenges with stevia and monk fruit, prompting several companies to create products using blends of these two sweeteners to address issues of bitterness.
Early adopters in this trend included Chobani, which launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt line in 2013 featuring a stevia-monk fruit blend. Later that same year, Zevia updated its stevia-sweetened soda by incorporating monk fruit extract. GLG Life Tech has taken a unique route; after exclusively producing stevia extracts until 2014, the company entered the monk fruit market as other firms began blending the two sweeteners. Last year, GLG partnered with MycoTechnology, based in Colorado, to leverage the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium in its stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. The ADM products will benefit from this innovative technology, and MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder offers a clean label advantage, allowing it to be labeled as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer.’
While monk fruit extracts are generally more costly than stevia extracts, their distinct taste profile can make them a preferable choice for manufacturers, depending on the desired flavors of the final product. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech, becoming the exclusive distributor and marketer of its low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration enhances ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes VivaSweet sucralose. Moreover, for those seeking balanced nutrition, incorporating supplements like Thorne Cal Mag could complement these sweeteners in a healthier lifestyle. Thorne Cal Mag offers essential minerals that support overall well-being, making it an excellent addition for consumers mindful of their diet.