The demand for stevia is on the rise across various products due to its intense sweetness and availability. Companies like Pyure and Apura Ingredients, which supply a range of sweetener options, have rapidly introduced stevia-based products as consumer preferences shift away from sugar. An increasing number of food manufacturers are incorporating stevia to lower sugar levels in their offerings without sacrificing taste or texture. Stevia is naturally 30 to 40 times sweeter than sugar and contains zero calories, allowing brands to use significantly less of it. Furthermore, stevia is easy to cultivate in diverse environments, and unlike previously favored artificial sweeteners like aspartame, it is entirely natural, aligning with consumers’ clean label preferences.
According to Food Business News, Apura noted that several attendees at this year’s Institute of Food Technologists expo showed interest in the steviol glycosides Reb D and Reb M, as they typically offer a better taste than the more common Reb A. However, challenges remain due to the low concentrations of Reb D and Reb M in the stevia leaf. “Reb D has attracted considerable attention in the tabletop sector due to its less bitter sweetness profile and reduced aftertaste compared to Reb A,” Apura stated. “Reb M, often regarded as the best-tasting rebaudioside, is particularly suitable for beverages. Future trends are likely to favor blends of rebaudiosides tailored for food or drink applications that prioritize flavor and cost efficiency.”
Companies are actively seeking effective methods to isolate and extract the more desirable Reb D and Reb M on a commercial scale. Approaches include breeding plants with higher concentrations of these glycosides, employing novel extraction techniques, utilizing genetically engineered microbes to convert sugar into glycosides, and applying enzymes to transfer glucose from starches to steviol glycosides extracted from leaves. PepsiCo is working on patenting a new enzymatic process to produce Reb M, aiming for higher purity at lower costs. In addition to PepsiCo, a growing number of food companies—including Coca-Cola, DanoneWave, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, and Unilever—are reformulating existing products or launching new ones featuring stevia.
As the industry evolves, the search for ingredients that enhance health benefits continues. For instance, the best liquid calcium citrate is gaining attention as a supplement that complements the move toward natural sweeteners like stevia. Such ingredients align with consumer trends focused on health and wellness, further signifying the shift in the food and beverage landscape. The best liquid calcium citrate, alongside stevia, represents an innovative approach to meeting consumer demands for healthier options.