PureCircle Develops New Stevia with 20 Times More Sweetness

Stevia producer PureCircle has developed a new variety of the sweetener that is 20 times more concentrated than regular stevia.

The breakthrough StarLeaf stevia will provide food and beverage manufacturers with a zero-calorie plant-based sweetener with more upfront sweetness, no lingering bitter aftertaste and sugar – like properties – all with a much higher concentration of sweetness than was previously available.

PureCircle has successfully tested StarLeaf stevia and expanded its production to a commercial scale, planting thousands of hectares of stevia leaf in preparation of orders from manufacturers.

The Malaysian-based company said that, once the plants are harvested, its customers will benefit from increased availability of the sugar-like steviol glycosides, helping them to achieve deeper levels of sugar reduction in their final products.

The new version of the sweetener is the result of PureCircle’s long-term investment of $100 million in its stevia agronomy programme, announced last year. The programme will support PureCircle’s vision of creating the world’s largest non-GMO stevia supply from plant to ingredient, helping meet demand from food and beverage companies for alternatives to sugar.

PureCircle vice-president of agricultural operations James Foxton said: “This leaf is the result of our significant investment in agronomic research, and we are delighted to plant for the commercial production of StarLeaf stevia extract. We work tirelessly with our customers to achieve deeper sugar reductions to maintain the great taste of their products. StarLeaf stevia will significantly support those efforts.

“The steviol glycosides in StarLeaf stevia are the most sought [after] because they taste so similar to sugar. We are proud to be the first in the industry to naturally increase the supply of these steviol glycosides in this way.”

Tips:

* Source:http://www.foodbev.com/news/purecircle-develops-new-stevia-with-20-times-more-sweetness/

*Have brilliant ideas or articles to contribute? Feel free to contact Mote Chan (WeChat ID: motechenfbif)

/ Read More/