What is Rebiana?
Rebiana is a trade name for rebaudioside A (Reb-A), one of the sweetest and least bitter steviol glycosides found in the Stevia rebaudiana plant. To create rebiana, the sweet compounds are extracted from the stevia leaves using a hot water process. This extract is then purified to isolate the rebaudioside A, resulting in a high-purity, non-caloric sweetener. In its pure, isolated form, Rebiana is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
What is Erythritol?
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, or polyol, that is found naturally in small amounts in some fruits and fermented foods. Industrially, it is produced by fermenting glucose with yeast. It provides a clean, mild sweetness with about 60–70% the sweetness of table sugar. Unlike Rebiana, it is not a high-intensity sweetener, and it is also essentially calorie-free because the human body does not metabolize it for energy.
Why Rebiana and Erythritol Are Blended
The primary reason for blending rebiana with erythritol is to improve the finished product's flavor profile and functionality. Pure rebiana is so potent that only a tiny amount is needed to sweeten something. In a packet or granulated form, this would be an unmanageably small quantity. Erythritol is used as a bulking agent to create a product that can be measured and used more like sugar.
Furthermore, many people perceive a slight aftertaste from steviol glycosides. The addition of erythritol helps to mask or balance this aftertaste, resulting in a more palatable, sugar-like flavor profile. This synergy is what makes brands like Truvia so successful, as the blend offers both high-intensity sweetness from rebiana and improved texture and taste from erythritol.
The Blending Process
- Bulking: Erythritol provides the necessary volume, making the product easy to measure and pour, mimicking the physical properties of sugar.
- Flavor Masking: The sugar alcohol helps to neutralize the licorice-like or slightly bitter aftertaste that some people experience with high-purity stevia extracts like rebiana.
- Enhanced Functionality: The combination allows for a sweetener that works well in a variety of food and beverage applications, from baking to sweetening coffee, providing a more rounded sweetness than rebiana alone.
Key Differences Between Rebiana and Erythritol
| Feature | Rebiana (Reb-A) | Erythritol |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Steviol Glycoside | Sugar Alcohol (Polyol) |
| Source | Stevia rebaudiana plant | Fermented corn sugar or some fruits |
| Sweetness Level | 200-300x sweeter than sugar | 60-70% as sweet as sugar |
| Calories | Zero calories | Nearly zero calories (0.2 kcal/g) |
| Purpose in Blends | Intense sweetening power | Bulking agent, flavor modifier |
| Common Brands | Found in Truvia, Pure Via | Found in Truvia, Swerve, Sukrin |
Common Sweetener Blends on the Market
When you see a product labeled 'stevia,' it is crucial to read the ingredient list, as it may not be pure rebiana. Many of the most popular brands on the market are, in fact, blends that use erythritol as a primary ingredient.
- Truvia: A well-known brand that is a blend of Rebiana (Reb-A), erythritol, and natural flavors.
- Pure Via: This brand, marketed by PepsiCo, uses Rebiana as its stevia component, but early versions were blended with dextrose. Like Truvia, their modern granulated products often include erythritol.
- Other 'Stevia' Products: Numerous other brands combine rebiana with erythritol to create their no-calorie sweetener blends, so always check the label for clarity.
The Verdict: Rebiana and Erythritol are Separate Ingredients
The short answer is no, rebiana does not contain erythritol. They are two distinct ingredients, one a high-intensity sweetener and the other a sugar alcohol. The common misconception arises because manufacturers frequently blend the two substances to create a palatable, low-calorie, granular sweetener product. As with any processed food, reading the ingredient list is the only way to know exactly what is inside your favorite packet of sweetener.
Conclusion
While rebiana and erythritol are not the same substance, they are almost inseparable in the consumer packaged sweetener market. Rebiana provides the intense, zero-calorie sweetness derived from the stevia plant, while erythritol functions as a bulking agent that mimics the texture of sugar and refines the flavor profile. The resulting blends offer a more functional, well-rounded sugar alternative. Understanding the roles of these different components empowers consumers to make informed choices about the sweeteners they use. For those seeking pure stevia extracts without any additives, it is best to look for liquid drops or bulk powders specifically labeled as high-purity Reb-A without additional fillers.
Visit Healthline to learn more about the differences between stevia and erythritol.
