Equal's 'stevia' products are not made of pure stevia leaf extract alone, but rather a blend of steviol glycosides (the sweet compounds from the stevia plant) and bulking agents. These bulking agents are necessary because stevia leaf extract is so intensely sweet—hundreds of times sweeter than sugar—that only a tiny amount is needed. The additional ingredients create the familiar texture and volume of sugar, making the product easier to measure and use in food and beverages.
Core Components of Equal Stevia
The ingredient list for Equal Stevia varies significantly depending on the product type (e.g., granular, sticks, tablets) and the regional market it's sold in. However, the core sweetening and bulking agents are a constant theme.
Steviol Glycosides (Stevia Leaf Extract)
Steviol glycosides are the primary sweetening component. Extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, these compounds are responsible for the sweet taste. Equal's high-purity extract often focuses on Rebaudioside A (Reb A) because it offers a clean, sugar-like taste with less of the licorice-like aftertaste associated with cruder extracts.
Bulking and Carrier Agents
Because stevia extract is so potent, it needs to be mixed with other substances to add volume and enable easy portioning. These bulking agents have different properties:
- Erythritol: Found in products like Equal Naturals, erythritol is a sugar alcohol that provides bulk and a crystalline texture similar to sugar. It is made through a natural fermentation process and is considered zero-calorie.
- Dextrose: Used in some regional Equal Stevia stick packs, dextrose is a simple sugar that functions as a bulking agent, though it does add a small amount of calories per serving. The total caloric content remains low because so little is used.
- Lactose: For Equal Stevia tablets, lactose, a sugar derived from milk, is often used as a bulking agent. It provides the necessary volume and structure for the tablet form.
Other Common Additives
Beyond the primary sweeteners and bulking agents, other ingredients are used to enhance the product:
- Natural Flavors: Added to mask any slight aftertaste from the stevia extract and provide a cleaner, more sugar-like flavor profile.
- Anti-caking Agents: Ingredients like cellulose powder or silicon dioxide are included to prevent clumping and ensure the product flows smoothly.
- Stabilizers: In tablet formulations, stabilizers such as croscarmellose sodium are used to help the tablets disintegrate in liquids.
- Preservatives: Sodium benzoate may be added to maintain freshness, particularly in certain tablet formulas.
Ingredient Variations
The specific composition of Equal Stevia can differ across markets due to regulatory requirements and product development. For instance, some formulations, particularly outside the US, may also include sucralose, a non-nutritive artificial sweetener, blended with steviol extract to create a specific taste profile. This highlights the importance of checking the ingredient label for the specific product you are purchasing. The 'Equal Naturals' line, for example, emphasizes the use of stevia and erythritol, while other versions may contain different blends of bulking agents.
Comparison of Equal Stevia Ingredients (Common Examples)
| Ingredient Category | Equal Naturals Granular | Equal Stevia Sticks (some markets) | Equal Stevia Tablets (some markets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetening Agent | Stevia Leaf Extract | Steviol Extract (Rebaudioside A) & Sucralose | Stevia RebA97 |
| Bulking Agent | Erythritol | Dextrose | Lactose & Erythritol |
| Other Ingredients | Natural Flavors | - | Croscarmellose Sodium, Micro Crystalline Cellulose, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Talc, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Benzoate |
| Taste Profile | Blended to be sugar-like | Combined sweetness profile | Optimized for dissolving in beverages |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Equal Stevia is a blend of several ingredients, not just pure stevia. The main sweetening component is the highly potent stevia leaf extract (steviol glycosides), which is combined with a bulking agent like erythritol, dextrose, or lactose to create a product that is easy to measure and has a texture similar to sugar. Depending on the specific product format and region, other minor ingredients like natural flavors and anti-caking agents are also added. These varied formulations allow Equal to offer different products that meet a variety of consumer preferences for taste, texture, and calorie content. By understanding these components, consumers can make informed choices about the sweeteners they use.
For more detailed product information, it is always recommended to consult the official Equal website or the packaging of the specific product.
