What Are Sweeteners?
Sweeteners are ingredients used to enhance the sweetness of food and beverages without the high calorie content associated with traditional sugar. They come in various forms, such as natural sweeteners, low-calorie sweeteners, and specialized options like xylitol sweetener and trehalose. Popular sweeteners featured in this category include erythritol, stevia, xylitol, trehalose, organic tapioca syrup and sucanat. In this article, we will explore the different types of sweeteners, their applications, and the benefits they offer.
Our Sweetener Offerings
Organic Sweetener Offerings Include:
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Organic Cane Syrup (Medium Invert)
- Organic Powdered Sugar
- Organic Whole Cane Sugar
- Organic Brown Sugar (Light and Dark)
- Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
- Organic Lite Molasses
- Organic Blackstrap Molasses
- Organic Tapioca Syrup
Natural Sweetener Offerings Include:
- Sucanat
- Demerara
Low Calorie Sweetener Offerings Include:
- Erythritol
- Xylitol
- Isomalt
- Stevia
Applications for Sweeteners
Sweeteners are used across a wide range of food and beverage applications. Their versatility makes them suitable for various products:
- Beverages: Natural and liquid sweeteners like stevia and organic tapioca syrup are ideal for sweetening drinks without adding extra calories.
- Snacks: Low-calorie sweeteners such as erythritol and xylitol can be used in snack bars and other treats.
- Confectionery: Sweeteners like isomalt are perfect for making hard candies, eliminating stickiness and moisture while maintaining sweetness.
- Dairy & Dairy Alternatives: Sweeteners can be added to yogurt, milk alternatives, and other dairy products to enhance flavor without the added sugar.
- Bakery: From cakes to cookies, low-calorie sweeteners help maintain the sweet taste consumers love without the guilt.
Benefits of Sweeteners
Sweeteners offer numerous benefits that make them an attractive choice for food and beverage manufacturers:
- Health Benefits: Low-calorie and natural sweeteners provide sweetness without the high-calorie content, making them suitable for weight management and diabetic-friendly products.
- Flavor Enhancement: Many sweeteners, such as xylitol, enhance fruit and mint flavors, making them ideal for various culinary applications.
- Versatility: Sweeteners can be used in a wide array of products, from beverages and snacks to baked goods and dairy alternatives.
- Clean Label: Natural sweeteners like stevia and sucanat offer a label-friendly option for consumers looking for recognizable, non-artificial ingredients.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a zero-calorie sweetener known for its clean, sweet, sugar-like taste. It is about 70% as sweet as sugar, making it an excellent option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing sweetness. Erythritol can mask unpleasant flavors and add bulk to food products, making it a valuable ingredient in a variety of applications. It is available in granular and fine powder forms. Additionally, erythritol does not raise blood sugar levels, making it suitable for diabetics and those following a ketogenic diet.
Erythritol is commonly used in baked goods, beverages, and sugar-free candies. Its ability to blend well with other sweeteners and enhance overall flavor profiles makes it a popular choice in the food industry.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is significantly sweeter than sugar, with a sweetness profile 300-400 times that of regular sugar. This high-potency sweetener is available in various forms, including Truvia®, ViaTech®, and Eversweet™.
Truvia® Stevia
Truvia® stevia leaf extract is a widely recognized zero-calorie sweetener. It is used across multiple food and beverage products, providing consistent and pleasing taste profiles. Available in RA80 and RA95, Truvia® can reduce sugar content by up to 30% while being labeled simply as "stevia leaf extract." It is organic-compliant and non-GMO, making it a clean-label ingredient.
ViaTech® Stevia
ViaTech® stevia leaf extracts are high-performance ingredients designed to achieve optimal taste and sweetness at higher usage levels. They enable food and beverage manufacturers to achieve sugar reductions of 50% or more, even in challenging applications like carbonated soft drinks. ViaTech® ingredients are organic compliant and non-GMO, providing a cost-effective and supply-friendly solution for creating reduced and zero-calorie stevia-based sweetened products.
EverSweet® Stevia
Cargill's EverSweet® stevia sweetener offers great taste with up to 100% sugar replacement. It utilizes the same sweetness compounds found in the stevia leaf, delivering calorie-free sweetness. EverSweet® is considered to be the cleanest-tasting stevia on the market and is organic compliant and non-GMO. It is ideal for applications requiring high levels of sugar reduction, from 70% to 100%.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener derived from US-based birchwood. It has about half the calories of sugar but provides the same level of sweetness, making it an excellent sugar substitute. Xylitol is particularly effective at enhancing fruit and mint flavors, making it a favorite in confectionery and dental care products. It is available in both granular and fine powder forms.
Organic Tapioca Syrup
Organic Tapioca Syrup is a natural liquid sweetener that adds moisture and sweetness to various food products. It serves as a 1:1 replacement for corn syrup and acts as a binder in applications like snack bars and clusters. Being organic, it caters to the growing demand for clean-label and eco-friendly ingredients.
Demerara
Demerara is a golden-colored sugar with large crystals and a rich aroma. Because of its sparkling appearance and crunchy texture, Demerara is a perfect topping on muffins, cookies, cakes, and other desserts. Demerara also makes excellent meat glazes. Traditionally, Demerara has been used as a luxury coffee sweetener in Europe – its delicious flavor adds a unique flavor profile to fine coffees.
Sucanat
Sucanat is a granulated blend of the two sweeteners that typical sugar processing separates – sugar and molasses. Sucanat has a hint of molasses taste and is light brown in color. It has a higher nutritional level and lower sucrose level than traditional refined sugars. Sucanat is a granule, not a crystal, which has functional qualities desired by manufacturers: instantly soluble, free-flowing for efficient handling, homogeneous blending with other ingredients and low moisture content.
Isomalt
Isomalt is a low-calorie sweetener with about 50% of the calories and sweetness of sugar. Its stability at high temperatures and ability to prevent crystallization make it a preferred sweetener in the production of sugar-free confections, especially hard candies, as it eliminates stickiness and moisture. Isomalt is available in granular and fine powder forms, offering flexibility in different applications.
Organic Sweeteners
Gillco offers a variety of organic sweeteners, including organic cane sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, powdered sugar, coconut palm sugar, tapioca syrup, molasses, medium invert syrup, and sucrose. These organic options are ideal for consumers seeking natural and eco-friendly products.
Organic sweeteners are used in a wide range of food and beverage products, catering to the demand for organic and natural ingredients. They provide a clean label and are suitable for products marketed towards health-conscious and environmentally-aware consumers.
Partner with Gillco for Your Sweetener Needs
Partnering with Gillco gives you access to high-quality sweeteners that meet the needs of food and beverage manufacturers. Committed to providing excellent ingredients and customer service, Gillco is your trusted source for natural sweeteners, low-calorie options, and innovative solutions like xylitol and trehalose.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your ingredient needs.