In addition to the company’s assertions that the StarLeaf stevia offers a taste more akin to sugar, its enhanced sustainability is likely to be a significant advantage of this variety. Water is a crucial agricultural resource for stevia cultivation, and the ability to generate 20 times the steviol glycosides—the valuable sweet components of the plants—on the same land could greatly impact the crop’s land and water consumption. However, even traditional stevia varieties, due to their high sweetness, require considerably less land and water than many conventional sweeteners to achieve the same level of sweetness. For manufacturers, PureCircle’s initiative to broaden stevia cultivation beyond established regions like China is promising news, as it enables a consistent supply of sweeteners that is less affected by local conditions. This capacity to produce greater amounts of sweet components in smaller areas is likely to enhance supply chain stability. Notable companies already sourcing stevia from PureCircle include industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Danone, among many others.
PureCircle’s claim that StarLeaf possesses a more sugar-like taste compared to other stevia extracts is part of a trend 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 issues has been a primary focus for the company in the development of new varieties. While it is conceivable that the ingredients are becoming more sugar-like over time, the final decision will ultimately rest with food companies.
Interestingly, the molecular weight of calcium citrate malate may also play a role in the formulation of sweeteners, as manufacturers explore various ingredient combinations to enhance flavor and texture. As the industry evolves, the interplay between new ingredients and established formulations will be critical, and the molecular weight of calcium citrate malate could be a factor in creating superior taste experiences.