Stevia for Chocolate

We are currently offering a chocolate bar made from 100% dark chocolate and just a touch of SweetLeaf stevia to add a hint of sweetness. It has a very dark and bitter flavor, which may seem to be only slightly different that pure 100% dark chocolate. Based on customer response, we are exploring other stevia preparations.

There are three common stevia sweeteners on the market:

SweetLeaf: Advertised as a fully natural stevia preparation, this is probably the stevia closest to the plant. As a result, it may be favored by those looking for an “all natural” sweetener. This seems to come at a cost in taste, as SweetLeaf presents a bitter aftertaste.

SweetLeaf is made by Wisdom Natural Brands of Gilbert, AZ. The SweetLeaf Stevia product is classified as “Generally Recognized As Safe” by the FDA[1].

Truvia: contains Erythritol and Rebiana.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, made by fermenting glucose with the yeast Moniliella pollinis [2]. Unlike some sugar alcohols, erythritol is absorbed by the body and is therefore unlikely to cause digesting problems[3].

Rebiana is the common name for rebaudioside A (or Reb A), the chemical extracted from the stevia leaf for sweetness[4].

Truvia is made by Cargill[5]. They are associated with the Coca Cola Co.

Pure Via:

Pure Via is a product of Whole Earth Sweetener Co., of South Bend, Indiana. They are partners with PepsiCo[6].

Pure Via contains dextrose, Reb A, Cellulose Powder and Natural flavors[7].

Whole Earth Sweetener Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisant Company, the maker of Equal® and Canderel®[8].

References

[1] FDA/CFSAN: Agency Response Letter: GRAS Notice No. GRN 000287
[2] FDA/CFSAN: Agency Response Letter: GRAS Notice No. GRN 000076
[3] Erythritol: an interpretive summary of biochemical, metabolic, toxicological and clinical data.
Munro IC, Berndt WO, Borzelleca JF, Flamm G, Lynch BS, Kennepohl E, Bär EA, Modderman J.
[4] Stevia and Rebiana: Facts and Myths
[5] Turvia web site – Corporate Responsibility
[6] Pure Via web page – Contact
[7] Pure Via web page – Our Products
[8] PEPSICO AND WHOLE EARTH SWEETENER COMPANY INTRODUCE ALL-NATURAL, ZERO-CALORIE SWEETENER PUREVIA™

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