In addition to the company’s assertions that StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, its enhanced sustainability is expected to be a significant benefit of this variety. Stevia plants require substantial water for cultivation, so the ability to yield 20 times the steviol glycosides— the plants’ valuable sweet components—on the same land area could greatly impact the crop’s land and water usage. Nonetheless, even traditional stevia varieties, due to their high sweetness levels, necessitate considerably less land and water compared to other commonly used sweeteners to achieve equivalent sweetness.
From a manufacturing perspective, PureCircle’s initiative to broaden stevia cultivation beyond established regions like China is promising, as it ensures a consistent supply of sweeteners that is less dependent on specific regional conditions. This capability to generate more sweet components within a smaller space is likely to enhance supply chain stability. Notably, major companies such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among numerous others, are already sourcing stevia from PureCircle.
The claim that StarLeaf offers a more sugar-like taste compared to other stevia extracts is part of a series of similar assertions regarding its ingredients. The sweetness profile of stevia and its perceived bitter aftertaste have posed significant challenges, leading the company to prioritize flavor enhancement in the development of new varieties. It is conceivable that the ingredients are evolving to become more reminiscent of sugar over time. However, as is often the case with new ingredients, the decision lies with food manufacturers to integrate them. Additionally, the incorporation of citric acid, calcium carbonate, and calcium citrate in formulations may further complement the flavor profiles and stability of sweeteners like StarLeaf stevia, providing manufacturers with more options for enhancing their products.