What are the best brands of stevia?

With the natural sweetener market growing due to increased health consciousness, it's reported that many popular stevia products actually contain very little pure steviol glycosides. Knowing what are the best brands of stevia can help consumers find high-quality products that suit their needs, whether for daily coffee or baked goods.

Quick Summary

This article provides a detailed comparison of popular stevia brands, evaluating them based on taste, purity, and added ingredients. The guide helps consumers select the ideal stevia product for their specific dietary preferences and intended applications like baking or beverages.

Key Points

• Purity Varies: Many popular stevia products are actually blends with fillers like erythritol, dextrose, or inulin, not pure stevia extract.

• Taste is Key: Purer extracts with a high concentration of Rebaudioside A (Reb-A) are often less bitter and taste better.

• Check for Fillers: Brands like SweetLeaf use inulin fiber, while Truvia primarily uses erythritol, which can affect taste and cause digestive issues for some.

• Best for Baking: Granular stevia blends like Truvia Sweet Complete are ideal for baking as they measure cup-for-cup like sugar and maintain texture.

• Best for Beverages: Pure liquid stevia drops, such as those from SweetLeaf or NOW Foods BetterStevia, are perfect for sweetening drinks like coffee and tea.

• Label Reading is Essential: Always check the ingredients list to ensure the product aligns with your dietary needs and preferences, especially if seeking a pure, organic, or filler-free option.

Understanding Stevia: What to Look For

Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, stevia is a zero-calorie, natural-origin sweetener known for being up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. However, the quality and taste can vary dramatically between products. This is primarily due to processing methods and added ingredients. When choosing a brand, key factors include the degree of purity, the specific steviol glycosides present, and any added fillers.

The most desirable and sweetest compound in the stevia leaf is rebaudioside A (often labeled 'Reb-A'), while another compound, stevioside, can cause a more bitter aftertaste. High-quality stevia products will contain a high percentage of Reb-A. Additionally, many brands blend stevia with other ingredients like erythritol, dextrose, or inulin to provide bulk and improve the taste profile, so reading the ingredients list is crucial for finding the purest form.

Popular Stevia Brands Reviewed

SweetLeaf Stevia

• Pros: SweetLeaf is one of the original stevia brands and is highly regarded for its purity. Their packets often use inulin fiber instead of sugar alcohols like erythritol for bulk, a key selling point for those with digestive sensitivities. Many users praise its clean taste with minimal to no aftertaste. The brand also offers a variety of liquid drops in different flavors.
• Cons: Some may find the flavored drops can have a strong, concentrated taste, and the price point can be higher than competitors.

Pyure Organic Stevia

• Pros: Pyure offers USDA organic, non-GMO stevia products and is a popular choice for baking due to its sugar-like texture in granular form. Many users find its blend with erythritol offers a clean sweetness, and the liquid drops are noted for having no aftertaste.
• Cons: Some reviewers have reported a distinct aftertaste from the erythritol blend, which can be a turn-off for certain palates.

Stevia in the Raw

• Pros: This widely available brand is a solid choice for those starting with stevia. Their packets blend stevia with dextrose, offering a sugar-like experience that works well in hot beverages like coffee. They also offer an organic option without erythritol or artificial flavors.
• Cons: Because it contains dextrose as a bulking agent, it is not calorie-free, which may defeat the purpose for some users. The granular form can be flaky and difficult to measure.

Truvia

• Pros: Truvia's Sweet Complete line is designed specifically for baking, measuring cup-for-cup like sugar and yielding excellent results in baked goods. It is widely accessible in most grocery stores and has a very sugar-like taste and texture.
• Cons: Truvia is not pure stevia and is primarily made of erythritol, a sugar alcohol. While considered safe, this distinction is important for those seeking a purer product or those who experience digestive issues from sugar alcohols.

NOW Foods BetterStevia

• Pros: NOW Foods offers USDA Organic, zero-calorie stevia products with no added erythritol. Their liquid and powder forms are popular among those seeking pure, unflavored stevia for beverages and cooking. It is known for a clean taste and is a great value option.
• Cons: The sweetness level can be very intense, and some users need to be careful with dosing to avoid overpowering their food or drink.

Pure Via Stevia

• Pros: Pure Via offers a granulated stevia leaf product that some reviewers find to have a very minimal aftertaste, tasting closer to sugar than other brands. It is generally seen as a good, natural alternative for daily use.
• Cons: Like other blends, its ingredients can include fillers, and some users still detect an aftertaste.

Comparison Table of Popular Stevia Brands

Brand	Primary Bulking Agent	Best For...	Aftertaste	Special Notes
SweetLeaf	Inulin	Coffee, tea, general use	Minimal	Considered very pure, no erythritol.
Pyure Organic	Erythritol	Baking, beverages	Mixed (some report slight aftertaste)	Organic, non-GMO, keto-friendly.
Stevia in the Raw	Dextrose	Hot beverages	Low	Organic option available; not calorie-free due to dextrose.
Truvia	Erythritol	Baking	Low (blend masks bitterness)	Measures cup-for-cup like sugar for baking.
NOW Foods BetterStevia	None (pure extract)	General use, clean sweeteners	Minimal	Organic, highly concentrated, no erythritol.
Pure Via	Dextrose/Other	Daily coffee/tea	Minimal	Granulated form melts well; sometimes reviewed as very similar to sugar.

Choosing the Right Stevia for Your Needs

For Purity: If your main goal is to avoid any fillers or sugar alcohols, focus on brands like NOW Foods BetterStevia or SweetLeaf. Be sure to read the ingredient list carefully, as many packets are blends. Look for products labeled as pure extract or concentrate, which are often sold as liquid drops or in concentrated powder form.

For Baking: For recipes requiring a cup-for-cup sugar replacement, a granular blend is essential for proper measurements. Truvia Sweet Complete is specifically formulated for this purpose and receives positive reviews for its baking performance. Pyure Organic Stevia also works well for baking and other recipes.

For Coffee and Tea: Liquid stevia drops from brands like SweetLeaf or NOW Foods BetterStevia are excellent for sweetening hot or cold beverages quickly and without adding bulk. For those who prefer a packet format, Stevia in the Raw provides a familiar texture and is readily available.

For Sensitive Stomachs: As sugar alcohols like erythritol can cause digestive upset in some individuals, consider brands that use alternative fillers like inulin fiber (e.g., SweetLeaf) or opt for pure extracts with no fillers at all (NOW Foods BetterStevia).

How to Select Your Stevia

Here is a simple checklist to guide your decision-making process:

• Read the Label: Never assume a product is pure stevia. Always check the ingredients for added fillers like erythritol, dextrose, or maltodextrin.
• Check for Purity: Look for the percentage of rebaudioside A (Reb-A). A higher percentage often indicates better taste with less bitterness.
• Decide on a Form: Consider your primary use. Granulated blends are best for baking, liquid drops for beverages, and pure powder for maximum concentration.
• Consider Organic Certification: If you prioritize organic, non-GMO products, check for USDA Organic seals, as offered by brands like Pyure and NOW Foods.
• Listen to your body: If you experience any side effects, such as digestive issues, try a different brand or product form. For instance, consider switching from a blend with erythritol to a pure extract.

Conclusion

While stevia offers a valuable zero-calorie, plant-derived sugar alternative, the 'best' brand is highly dependent on personal taste and intended use. Popular options like SweetLeaf, Pyure, and NOW Foods BetterStevia offer purer formulations, while blends like Truvia and Stevia in the Raw provide excellent sugar-like consistency for specific applications like baking. The key is to be an informed consumer by scrutinizing labels, understanding the role of fillers, and matching the product to your specific needs to find the perfect sweetness without compromise. The FDA recognizes high-purity stevia leaf extract as safe, but emphasizes checking product labels to know what you are consuming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand of stevia has the least aftertaste?

Brands like SweetLeaf, known for using inulin fiber as a filler, and NOW Foods BetterStevia, a pure extract, are frequently cited by users as having minimal to no aftertaste. Taste is subjective, so experimenting with small packets is a good approach.

Is Truvia the same as pure stevia?

No, Truvia is not pure stevia. It is a blend where the primary ingredient is erythritol, a sugar alcohol, with a small amount of Rebaudioside A from the stevia leaf added.

What is the best brand of stevia for baking?

For baking, many prefer a granular blend that measures similarly to sugar. Truvia Sweet Complete is formulated for this purpose and receives positive feedback for its results in baked goods. Pyure Organic Stevia also works well.

What should I look for to find pure stevia without fillers?

To find pure stevia, check the label for products listed as pure extract or concentrate. Look for ingredient lists with only "stevia leaf extract" or "steviol glycosides." Brands like NOW Foods BetterStevia and some SweetLeaf products offer these purer options.

Why do some stevia brands taste bitter?

The bitter aftertaste is often linked to the presence of stevioside, one of the sweet compounds in the stevia leaf. High-quality brands with higher concentrations of the Rebaudioside A compound, and those that use better masking agents, are generally less bitter.

Are all stevia brands calorie-free?

While steviol glycosides from the stevia leaf are zero-calorie, some blended products include fillers like dextrose that contribute a minimal amount of carbohydrates and calories. For example, Stevia in the Raw packets contain dextrose.

Is organic stevia better than non-organic?

Organic stevia guarantees that the plant was grown and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, as verified by USDA organic standards. Whether this translates to better taste or quality is debatable, but it ensures a cleaner, more natural product for those who prioritize organic food.