Sure Stevia Extract, Powder

The first thing I need to tell you is that I have historically not enjoyed any non-caloric sweetener. All of them left a noticeable aftertaste to me. This includes saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K, erythritol and other sugar alcohols, several brands of stevia and various blends of the above. I also had trouble drinking my coffee and tea unsweetened. The artificial sweeteners have been alleged to affect the metabolism as well, and some (notably aspartame), have even been linked to such serious problems as brain lesions and autoimmune disease. But sugar, including natural and unrefined sugar sources, has such a profound effect on the body and mind/mood. Aside from adding empty calories and interfering with metabolism, it enhances depression and mood swings, negatively impacts energy levels, and is even linked to high cholesterol and heart disease. Chances are you know all of this, though, if you are searching here. Recently I have been trying to cut down on my sugar intake and so have been trying to get used to Pure Via, which was on sale at Stop and Shop. My new found determination to eat less sugar was helping me to get used to the Pure Via, but I was not thrilled with the taste. Although it was not as bitter as some other stevias I have tried, it still left an aftertaste. Also, it only gave a "surface sweetness;" its sweet flavor did not seem to blend in so well with coffee, for example. Rather, its taste seemed to stay somewhat separate from that of the coffee. I don't know how else to explain it. Also, like many other brands, it contains dextrose and maltodextrin. I am not as worried about this as some people are, but why add pure sugar (dextrose) to a sugar substitute? I did a Google search for "best stevia brand," ran across the KAL reviews for various sizes on Amazon, and was intrigued enough to order a small bottle to try. I just got my 1.3 oz. bottle of KAL Stevia Extract Powder yesterday. The first thing I did was open it up to check out the tiny scoop! (It is very cute...and dead useful. This stuff would be very difficult to handle without it, IMO.) The first taste was promising. It was extremely sweet, with only a small aftertaste, which disappeared quickly. I tried it in a hot cup of Irish breakfast tea with a splash of milk and the concoction tasted remarkably similar to when I sweeten it with sugar. But I knew the true test would be with my morning coffee. I generally drink about 1 1/2 12 oz. mugs of coffee from my French press in the morning. I add half and half (until it is "dark") and (until recently) up to a tablespoon of white sugar to each. I often have a cup or two of black tea with milk and sugar during the day, as well. (I know...very sweet...I like to actually taste the sugar, rather than just mellow the bitterness. The only thing I can say is that the coffee, even cheap coffee, comes out of the French press very strong and flavorful...and that I was becoming a certified sugar addict. But that is another story.) The point is that I was consuming A LOT of sugar with my beverages, even though I very rarely drink soda, juice, or other sweet drinks. This morning, I am on my second cup of coffee sweetened with KAL stevia extract. I used between 1 1/2 and 2 tiny scoops in each cup (adding in small increments). Previous reviewers have complained that the stevia clings to the scoop or clumps up in the beverage. This is true, but the "cling effect" is pretty easily remedied by gently tapping the scoop against the bottle, and in my warm-to-hot coffee, I was easily able to break up the clumps with a gentle stir (less than one might have to stir with sugar or splenda). If the powder clings to the scoop too much for your liking, you could also try just the tip of a metal knife or spoon to scoop up some powder. This stuff is powerful and seriously sweet! I may have used too much, even for me. BUT, it does not taste bitter or artificial in the least, and the flavor blends better with the beverage instead of remaining separate. There is also no "cool" flavor like I have experienced with the sugar alcohols and blends, including Truvia. I also want to mention that over the past few weeks, since I have been starting my day without sugar, I have noticed that my head is clearer, my stomach is happier, and of course, that cloyingly sweet sugar aftertaste is gone. With sugar, I was feeling slightly foggy and dizzy, and sometimes nauseous after my morning coffee. (Duh...) I have also been able to cut down (almost effortlessly) on the other high-sugar things I was consuming during the day. Yes, the price seems very high. It seems everything but refined white sugar is quite expensive. However, as several people have pointed out, this tiny bottle will last quite a while when you are using only a scoop or two at a time. It probably is still more expensive than sugar, but less expensive than other stevias and artificial sweeteners, and I feel it is worth the trade.

Pure Stevia tastes like to sugar. No aftertaste, no residue. What more could you ask for? A TRUE REPLACEMENT After 60 years, I've broken my sugar addiction. Before pure Stevia, I used Splenda and later Truvia/Purevia (Stevia cut with bulking agents) for several years. The Truvia/Purevia were better than Splenda, but both the Splenda and Truvia/Purevia left disgusting residues and just didn't taste right (because of the fillers or bulking agents added). More importantly for me, I could not fully enjoy my gourmet coffee with either. When I first began using pure Stevia, I appreciated the better flavor and lack of a residue, but it still did not taste quite like sugar to me. However, after 6 months of pure Stevia, it tastes like sugar to me, and I am again enjoying gourmet coffee. Perhaps more precisely, pure stevia is "as effective" as sugar for "cutting the edge" of bitter or sour drinks and foods---the way most people use sugar. However, it is not as intensely sugary-sweet, regardless of how much you use. For a rare, once-a-month "desert" cup of fine coffee, I still use real sugar and real cream. However, at least for my tastes, Splenda tastes better in lemonade than stevia. COMPARISON TO SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER contains the natural fiber Inulin as a bulking agent. KAL STEVIA POWDER does not. The Inulin does not seem to affect the flavor nor leave a yucky residue (as do the nasty bulking agents in Truvia/Purevia). Possibly due to the Inulin, SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER dissolves easier thand KAL STEVIA POWDER. SweetLeaf Stevia Powder, 4-Ounce Shaker Jars (Pack of 2) MEASUREMENT One "tiny spoon" (included) of KAL STEVIA POWDER = 1 teaspoon of surgar. 1 level teaspoon of SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER = a moderately heaping teaspoon of sugar. CAUTION Inulin is a polysaccaride sometimes used as a sugar substitute itself (for diabetics). It has about 1/4 to 1/3 the sweetness of sugar, and about 1/4 to 1/3 the caloric content---which I interpret to mean the same calories for the same sweetness (however, in this case much of the sweetness is contributed by the Stevia). Inulin is a current food fad, with the usual (probably greatly exaggerated) claims of benefits, including improving digestion, reducing cholesterol, particularly triglycerides, protection from intestinal cancer, etc. On the other hand, it causes digestive problems in some people. I suggest reading the Wikipedia article. If (like me), you don't have digestive problems with inulin, and it sounds as though the various benefits may be significant for your particular health problems---I suggest arranging for blood tests after a month of using inulin, and a month after not using inulin to compare. I plan to do this. EASE OF USE SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER and KAL LIQUID STEVIA are easier to measure than KAL STEVIA POWDER, because the KAL STEVIA POWDER is much more concentrated. However, the KAL STEVIA POWDER comes with a tiny spoon which I find works perfectly well for measuring stevia for my coffee. However, the KAL STEVIA POWDER is so concentrated that it is difficult to evenly sprinkle over a sliced fruit dish. Pure Stevia Liquid Extract - 4 oz - Liquid SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER dissolves easier than KAL STEVIA POWDER. That is not a problem for hot drinks, but SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER or KAL LIQUID are preferable for cold drinks, such as iced tea or limonade. I also find that unsweetened fruit cups etc. are just too sour for my taste---a few drops of the KAL LIQUID STEVIA makes them perfect. ECONOMY $15.22 for 2 4oz bottles of SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER versus $18.44 for 1 3.5 oz of KAL STEVIA POWDER (the price at the time of this writing, both with free shipping on orders >$25) may seem a bargain, but the KAL STEVIA POWDER is much more concentrated. A 3.5oz jar of KAL STEVIA POWDER claims to hold 2381 servings. A 4oz bottle of SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER claims to hold 230 servings (= 460 servings for 2 bottles). The economy of KAL LIQUID is probably similar to SWEETLEAF STEVIA POWDER. I use "3 servings" per mug of strong coffee, so 1 bottle (3.5oz) of KAL STEVIA POWDER = 600 mugs of coffee, to my taste; while 2 bottles (8 oz) of SWEETLEAF STEVIA = 153 mugs of coffee. So, the KAL STEVIA POWDER is clearly the winner for pure economy, but even the SWEETLEAF STEVIA is far cheaper and superior to Truvia/Purevia. CONCLUSION For coffee and other hot drinks, KAL POWDER is the most economical. For cold drinks, fruit etc. SWEETLEAF POWDER (or KAL LIQUID) is more convenient. General Recommendation: After major grocery shopping expeditions, sit down at your computer with your reciept, and check if you can buy any of the non-perishables through Amazon. When you find items (even if more expensive than you just paid), put the item on your Amazon wish list, and add a note to the wish list of the price you just paid. Check your wish list frequently, and when you see an item you need at a bargain price, buy it.

They recently changed this product and now instead of only using 1 tiny scoop you need at least 10 to get any sort of taste. It’s terrible!