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.

This is the best stevia powder ever. I use too buy other kinds… but they must use inferior stevia. Kal is the only one that tastes sweet and you don’t need as much. Yes , it’s more expensive.. but that’s because you won’t be disappointed.. it has the best quality taste. I’m always upset when tasting other brands..they are not like KAL!

You want to lose weight? Simple. GET RID OF THE SUGAR. The reason why so many people are bloated looking like Jabba the Hutt or his sister is because of sugar and that high fructose corn syrup garbage. I just discovered this particular product after much research, and I have to say that this stuff is just amazing. It comes with this tiny spoon, which is smaller than the tip of the cap on a Sharpie marker. It's a whopping 250 times sweeter than sugar, so when you put just ONE of those tiny little spoonfuls into a two-cup travel mug full of coffee, it sweetens it just as much as FOUR TEASPOONS of regular sugar!! Incredible stuff because it has ZERO calories!! The reason why you likely haven't heard of it is because of the sugar conglomerates. They were preventing this product from being sold in this country because they're a bunch of greedy no-good money-loving jerks, meanwhile their product is almost wholly responsible for all the obesity in this country. Thankfully this product just recently began being sold here in health stores and online. I did a lot of research on this, and realized that this was the best one to try because other brands got more negative reviews for bad aftertaste. I got the 3.5oz size on Amazon, and man, just like the reviewers said, it will last almost forever! I tried it for the first time, just last night, and it's great! There IS a very, very mild aftertaste, but it's nothing that most people can't get over, especially if they don't want to use man-made unhealthy sugar substitutes like Sweet N Low, and the like. The reason why I decided to start researching is because I realized that using the non-alcoholic Bailey's Irish Creme in my coffee, plus sugar, amounted to like 400-500 calories PER DAY, for every one and 3/4 travel mug I was consuming. No wonder eating healthy, like chicken, rice and fish, etc., I wasn't losing weight! So check it out. Get rid of the sugar and you won't HAVE to be using tubes up your nose. That's just ridiculous! Actor John Goodman recently lost a whopping 150 POUNDS because he took sugar out of his diet, in combination with not drinking as much. So if people were to start using Stevia instead of sugar, this country would be a helluva lot healthier! It's been around for 400 years and widely being used in South America, and Japan, so obviously there's no negative health affects. You know, it ticks me off that scumbag companies out there would prevent something healthy like this from being in our market. The almighty dollar is obviously more valuable to these rotten companies than our health, and that's pathetic.

This is the best Stevia I have tried. I love that it takes a tiny scoop to sweeten my latte. I always loved plenty of sugar in my lattes. But I found out recently that I am diabetic. So goodbye sugar hello sugar substitutes. I tried Truvia, Stevia in the Raw and the Walmart brand Stevia. They were better than the pink, blue and yellow envelope powders but not quite a replacement for sugar. In fact Stevia in the Raw contains a natural sugar bulk which is 100 on the glycemic index which is no good for diabetics. I found this concentrated pure Stevia and tried it. This is just like sugar but you need about 1/100 the amount to sweeten a large latte. I tried it in straight espresso and it works great also. The pros: no bitter after taste, 0 on the glycemic index, 0 carbs, 0 calories, takes just a very minute amount to sweeten, there are 2381 scoops of powder in this one container, it will last a very long time, it is cheaper in the long run than all the other sugar substitutes and it actually has medicinal properties good for the pancreas. I will be trying it in cereals and deserts soon and I am confident that I will love it there also. UPDATE: I have to admit when I saw the maltodextrin on the label I became concerned. I read that someone called the company and they said that since they process it using the same machines they process the maltodextrin they have to list it as an ingredient since it may contain traces of it. So I checked it by simply using it in the same amount as the original I still had without the maltodextrin on the label. There was absolutely no difference in the sweetness it imparted to the drink. Since maltodextrin is in no way near as sweet as pure stevia, if it had significant amounts of it the new powder would not sweeten as much as the original pure powder. Maltodextrin is really bad for diabetics if used to cut the stevia considerably like they use it in Stevia in the Raw where you have to use a spoonful of it to sweeten a drink. However, maltodextrin is not poison. And in these trace amounts it is not bad for diabetics either. I understand that pure stevia is not in such great demand to dedicate process equipment only to it.

This stuff is great and a little goes a long way. It is pure stevia with no filler and is very sweet. The first bottle I got came with a small scoop and a lid with either a shaker side or a scoop side (see picture). When I reordered the exact same item with the same number code, the bottle had the same amount in it, but the bottle was a little taller. And, the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is that the top was only a shaker top and there was no scoop included as stated on the label! Luckily, I saved the old bottle and scoop, and the old lid fit the new bottle. What's up with that, KAL?

I have used this product daily for several years, and I am quite happy with the quality. Be aware that it is much stronger than sugar, so add small amounts until you are familiar with what you need, as stevia can have an unpleasant taste if you use too much. This is NOT the stevia that has fillers to bulk it out so it will measure the same as sugar for baking.

UPDATE 12/9/2014 ---------------- My previous review was for its old formula, which did not contain maltodextrin as an ingredient. The new version has maltodextrin, and as a result, I have lowered my former 5-star rating down to one. The main reason for buying this brand in the first place, a year ago, was because it WAS pure, with no additives, but the fine print on the new formula on the bottle now says it all: Contains Maltodextrin. I object to the company selling this as a "Pure Extract" because this isn't true. Not only that, maltodextrin is listed as having the highest glycemic index for sweeteners. Oddly enough, maltodextrin is classified as a sugar--the very thing that I want to avoid when using stevia products. I object to this product advertised as "pure" because it is misleading. I have asked for a refund for my recent order, and Amazon's excellent customer service has provided this without a problem. Some people are sensitive to maltodextrin, and some side effects have to do with unexpected weight gain, rashes, indigestion, and other problems. There is about 3% maltodextrin in KAL Pure Stevia Extract, according to reports. KAL needs to rethink the labeling on this sweetener and stop selling it as "pure." Sales for KAL Pure Stevia Extract have plummeted because of the added maltodextrin and I won't be buying it again until this ingredient is removed. I was a great product until they decided to add this filer to possibly boost profits. Original review: ---------------- I just recently started to use various Stevia-type products over artificial sweeteners such as Splenda. I was happy with the stevia taste, but not so much on the pricing and fillers. Virtually all brands had maltodextrine, xylitol or some other additives mixed in. The additional fillers also meant having to use at least a third or more of a teaspoon to sweeten up drinks. As far as cost effectiveness, it wasn't. I saw Kal Pure Stevia Extract and found out that users were saying that the amount you needed was very small to sweeten a cup of tea or coffee...about half the size of a pea. If true, this meant that there were thousands of servings in each bottle. I was a bit skeptical about this, so when the product arrived in the mail, I was all set to give it the acid test. There was a little spoon server in the bottle and the scoop was so small, that I figured that a heaping scoop would probably be needed to flavor my big glass of green tea. I added the stevia powder in with the tea bag, added hot water, and took a sip. To put it mildly, I was astounded at the sweetness of the tea. It tasted as though I had added three teaspoons of sugar to it. I saw my error and realized that I only needed just a fraction of the small scoop. Unbelievable. At this rate, although the bottle seems expensive, the number of servings I'll be able to get out of this container will effectively save me over $40 if I had purchased one of the major stevia products with the fillers. The taste is clean and I could not discern any after taste at all, if anything, the sweet taste left in the mouth is actually very pleasant. This is the best and most cost effective stevia product that I have used, and will be buying more. But given that the small amount that I need to use to flavor my hot beverages is so tiny, it may be awhile before I order another bottle. But then again, maybe I'll just buy another one just to stock up. Great product.