What Foods Have Thaumatin? Natural Sources and Added Sweeteners

December 5, 2025 •

2 min read

The intensely sweet protein, thaumatin, was first discovered in the West African katemfe fruit and is estimated to be 2,000–3,000 times sweeter than sugar. For consumers curious about what foods have thaumatin, the search leads from this rare botanical source to a wide array of commercially manufactured products where it is leveraged as a powerful natural sweetener and flavor enhancer.

Quick Summary

Thaumatin is a sweet protein sourced from the West African katemfe fruit and utilized commercially as the food additive E957 in products like beverages, dairy items, and confectionery.

Key Points

Sole Natural Source: Thaumatin originates exclusively from the arils of the katemfe fruit (Thaumatococcus daniellii), which grows in the rainforests of West Africa.
Widespread Commercial Use: As the food additive E957, thaumatin is commonly added to processed products like diet beverages, chewing gum, dairy, and protein powders.
High-Potency Sweetener: Thaumatin is exceptionally sweet, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 times sweeter than sugar on a weight basis, so only very small amounts are needed.
Flavor Enhancer: In addition to sweetening, thaumatin can enhance desirable flavors and mask bitter or metallic off-notes, making it ideal for use with other sweeteners like stevia.
Not an Allergenic TLP: Thaumatin should not be confused with thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) found in common fruits such as apples, kiwis, and cherries, which can be allergens.
Low-Calorie and Diabetic-Friendly: Due to the minute quantities used, thaumatin adds negligible calories and does not affect blood glucose levels, making it suitable for low-calorie diets and diabetics.
Regulated and Safe: Thaumatin has been extensively tested and is approved for safe use by major food authorities like the JECFA, EFSA, and FDA.

The Primary Natural Source of Thaumatin

Thaumatin is a sweet-tasting protein found exclusively in the arils (fleshy pulp) of the katemfe fruit. This fruit comes from the Thaumatococcus daniellii plant, which is native to West African rainforests, including countries like Ghana and Togo. The fruit is red and triangular, containing seeds surrounded by the gel-like aril where thaumatin is concentrated. Historically, communities in this region used the fruit to sweeten foods and drinks.

Common Foods and Products with Added Thaumatin (E957)

Commercially extracted and purified since the 1970s, thaumatin is used globally in the food and beverage industry. Approved in many regions (E957 in the EU, GRAS in the US), its potent properties mean it's used in small amounts across diverse products. Common products include beverages, confectionery, dairy items, baked goods, sauces, snacks, oral care, pharmaceuticals, and protein powders.

The Difference Between Thaumatin and Thaumatin-Like Proteins (TLPs)

It's important to distinguish thaumatin from the broader family of thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs). TLPs are part of plant defense systems, found in many common plants, and unlike thaumatin, are not intensely sweet. Some TLPs are known allergens. Examples of foods with allergenic TLPs include apples, cherries, kiwi, bananas, peaches, and olives. The intensely sweet thaumatin (E957) is a specific extracted product from the katemfe fruit and is not the same as the TLPs found in these other fruits.

The Multifunctional Role of Thaumatin

Thaumatin offers benefits beyond just sweetness. It can enhance desirable flavors and mask bitter aftertastes often associated with other high-intensity sweeteners. Because only trace amounts are used, it provides negligible calories, making it suitable for low-calorie and diabetic products. It is also stable across a range of pH levels and temperatures, making it versatile in processed foods.

Comparison: Natural Source vs. Commercial Uses


Feature	Natural Source (Katemfe Fruit)	Commercial Ingredient (E957)
Availability	Limited, primarily in West African rainforests.	Widely available, mass-produced.
Form	Found in the fruit's aril.	Purified, odourless powder.
Primary Function	Traditional sweetener.	Sweetener and flavor enhancer.
Consumer Exposure	Low, mostly traditional local use.	High, in many processed foods globally.
Regulation	Not applicable.	Approved food additive (E957/GRAS).

Conclusion

The only natural source of thaumatin is the katemfe fruit from West Africa. However, as the food additive E957, it is widely used in processed foods and beverages worldwide for its intense sweetness, flavor enhancement, and ability to mask bitterness. It is important to differentiate it from non-sweet, potentially allergenic thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) found in other common fruits. Thaumatin is a safe and effective low-calorie sugar alternative. For further information, the FDA provides details on its GRAS status {Link: FDA https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1838}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary natural source of thaumatin is the aril (fleshy pulp) surrounding the seeds of the katemfe fruit, which is native to the rainforests of West Africa.

Yes, thaumatin is commercially extracted and used as a potent natural sweetener and flavor enhancer (additive E957) in many processed foods and beverages.

Thaumatin can be found in diet soft drinks, fruit juices, chewing gum, candies, dairy products, protein powders, sauces, and some oral care products.

Thaumatin is the specific, intensely sweet protein from the katemfe fruit. Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are a broader family of proteins found in many plants, like apples and kiwis, and are not sweet. Some TLPs are known allergens.

Thaumatin is added to products like chewing gum to enhance flavor, prolong the sweet taste, and mask any bitter aftertastes from other ingredients.

Yes, major food authorities, including the JECFA, EFSA, and FDA, have deemed thaumatin safe for use in food.

No, thaumatin does not raise blood sugar levels. It is a protein, not a carbohydrate, and is used in such small amounts that it has a negligible impact on glucose or insulin.