Which Sweeteners Contain Stevia? A Guide to Popular Brands and Blends

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

Over 70 unique molecules are found in the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, with steviol glycosides being the key sweetening components. Many consumers turn to stevia-based options as a low-calorie sugar alternative, but navigating the vast market of sweeteners can be confusing. It's crucial to know which sweeteners contain stevia and what other ingredients are often included to create a balanced flavor profile.

Quick Summary

A guide to popular brands and types of sweeteners containing stevia, including pure extracts and blended products. It breaks down what to look for on ingredient labels to help consumers make informed choices for their dietary needs.

Key Points

Stevia Extracts, Not Leaves: Commercial sweeteners use purified steviol glycoside extracts from the stevia plant, not the raw leaves, for intense sweetness.
Brands with Stevia: Popular brands that contain stevia include Truvia, Pure Via, Stevia In The Raw, SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia Sweetener, and SweetLeaf.
Blends are Common: Most stevia sweeteners are blended with other ingredients like erythritol, dextrose, or inulin to add bulk and improve flavor.
Ingredient Label Reading: Always check the ingredient list, as fillers like dextrose can affect blood sugar, which is important for people with diabetes.
Flavor Varies: Different brands use different types of steviol glycosides (e.g., Reb A vs. Reb M) and fillers, resulting in variations in taste and aftertaste.
GRAS Status: High-purity stevia extract is "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA, but crude stevia is not approved for use as a food additive.
Cooking and Baking: Some stevia products are specifically formulated for baking and cooking, as they are heat-stable.

Stevia is a natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. While the raw leaves have been used for centuries, most modern commercial products utilize highly purified steviol glycoside extracts, which can be 200–350 times sweeter than sugar. Due to this intense sweetness and a potential bitter aftertaste, manufacturers often blend stevia extracts with other ingredients to create a more balanced flavor and increase bulk.

Popular Tabletop Sweeteners with Stevia

Several major brands have become household names by offering products that contain stevia extracts. These are widely available in supermarkets and come in various forms, such as packets, drops, and blends for baking.

Truvia: Marketed by Cargill and The Coca-Cola Company, Truvia is a popular stevia-based sweetener. Its primary sweetening component is rebiana (rebaudioside A), a purified steviol glycoside. The blend often includes erythritol, a sugar alcohol that adds bulk and balances the flavor.
Pure Via: A brand developed by PepsiCo and Pure Circle, Pure Via also uses rebiana derived from the stevia plant. Like Truvia, it is often blended with other ingredients, though the exact formulation can vary by product.
Stevia In The Raw: Part of the "In The Raw" family of sweeteners, this product is also stevia-based. To improve usability, it typically contains dextrose, which acts as a filler to make the potent extract easier to measure and use.
SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia Sweetener: This product focuses on using Reb D and Reb M, which are steviol glycosides known for having a less bitter aftertaste than Reb A. It is formulated to provide a clean, sugar-like taste.
SweetLeaf: SweetLeaf offers a range of stevia-based products in various formats, including packets and liquid drops. Some of their formulations also include inulin, a prebiotic fiber, to enhance the product.
Enliten: A high-purity stevia extract used primarily by manufacturers in food and beverage production, but also available in some retail products.

The Role of Blending in Stevia Sweeteners

Pure steviol glycoside extracts are highly concentrated and can have a distinct, licorice-like aftertaste. To mitigate this, manufacturers often blend them with other sweeteners and ingredients. This not only improves the flavor but also helps with usability, particularly for measuring.

Common Blending Partners:

Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is calorie-free and does not raise blood sugar. It's used to add bulk and a cooling sensation that works well with stevia's sweetness profile. Concerns have been raised about erythritol's potential link to increased cardiovascular risks in certain individuals, so it's a good idea to discuss with a healthcare professional.
Dextrose or Maltodextrin: These are corn-derived fillers that add bulk and help with a consistent sweetness level. Unlike stevia itself, they do contain carbohydrates and can potentially impact blood sugar, which is an important consideration for individuals with diabetes.
Monk Fruit: Some products blend stevia with monk fruit extract, another natural, zero-calorie sweetener. This combination can result in a more complex, well-rounded sweetness profile.
Inulin: A prebiotic fiber that can add bulk and has potential digestive health benefits.

Comparison of Popular Stevia Sweeteners

To help you choose, here's a side-by-side look at some of the most common stevia-containing products.


Feature	Truvia	Pure Via	Stevia In The Raw	SPLENDA® Naturals	SweetLeaf
Primary Sweetener	Rebiana (Reb A)	Rebiana (Reb A)	Purified Stevia Extract	Reb D & Reb M Stevia Extracts	Stevia Leaf Extracts
Primary Bulking Agent	Erythritol	Varies by product	Dextrose	No caloric fillers	Inulin
Flavor Profile	Often described as clean, balanced sweetness	Similar to Truvia, aims for a balanced profile	Can have a bit of a licorice-like aftertaste due to dextrose filler	Designed to have minimal aftertaste due to Reb D/M	Known for a clean taste, though some detect a slight aftertaste
Best For	Coffee, baking, general use	Beverages, cooking	Everyday use, versatile	Those sensitive to aftertastes	Tea, coffee, drops are great for on-the-go

Reading the Label for Clarity

Because stevia is often blended with other ingredients, it is essential to read the product label carefully. The front of the package may simply say "stevia," but the back will reveal the complete ingredient list, including any fillers like erythritol, dextrose, or other sugar alcohols. For those monitoring blood sugar, products with dextrose or maltodextrin may still have a minor impact, so pure extracts or blends with other non-glycemic fillers are often preferred. The FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) designation for high-purity steviol glycoside extracts applies to specific refined products, not necessarily crude stevia leaves, so reading the label ensures you're getting an approved form.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Knowing which sweeteners contain stevia is the first step toward making an informed choice for your diet. Whether you prefer the balanced sweetness of a blend like Truvia or Pure Via or a purer extract like some of SweetLeaf's offerings, reading the label is paramount. With options like SPLENDA® Naturals focused on minimizing aftertaste and various brands offering different fillers, there's a stevia-based sweetener to fit most preferences. Consider your dietary goals, taste preferences, and any potential sensitivities to bulking agents to select the best stevia sweetener for your needs.

For more in-depth information on stevia production and regulation, you can consult reputable sources like the International Food Information Council(https://ific.org/resources/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stevia-sweeteners/).

Frequently Asked Questions

Pure stevia extract consists only of the sweet compounds (steviol glycosides) from the stevia plant, making it highly concentrated. Blended sweeteners combine this extract with other ingredients like erythritol or dextrose to reduce the intense sweetness and bitter aftertaste, making it easier to measure and use.

No, Truvia contains stevia, specifically a refined steviol glycoside called rebiana (rebaudioside A), but it is also blended with erythritol, a sugar alcohol that adds bulk and balances the flavor profile.

Some brands, like Stevia In The Raw, include dextrose as a filler to increase bulk. Since pure stevia is so concentrated, the dextrose makes the product more usable and easier to measure in recipes, but it does add some carbohydrates.

Yes, pure stevia does not contain calories or carbohydrates and does not impact blood sugar levels. However, it's crucial for individuals with diabetes to check the label, as blends containing dextrose or maltodextrin can affect blood sugar.

The most common reason for disliking the taste is the lingering, sometimes licorice-like or bitter aftertaste associated with some steviol glycosides. Different brands use varying types and blends to minimize this effect, so personal preference plays a large role.

No, products labeled 'stevia' can be very different. The label can refer to a pure extract, or a blend containing other sweeteners and fillers like erythritol, monk fruit, or dextrose. Always read the full ingredient list to understand what you are consuming.

Many stevia-based sweeteners are heat-stable and can be used for baking and cooking. However, because stevia is so much sweeter than sugar and doesn't provide the same bulk or caramelization, baking with it may require recipe adjustments.

Reb A (Rebaudioside A) and Reb M (Rebaudioside M) are both steviol glycosides, but Reb M is generally considered to have a cleaner taste with less of the characteristic bitter aftertaste found in Reb A. Brands like SPLENDA® Naturals often focus on blends with higher Reb M content.