KAL Sure Stevia Extract, Organic, 1.3 oz

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.

Best natural organic sweetener out there. This one is better than others I’ve tasted. It’s pure Stevia which has no affect on blood sugar and tastes good. If you use too much by accident it’s almost too sweet.

I appreciate that it is organic, and in my opinion has no bitter aftertaste.

It’s a good product

I will be honest and tell you that when I very first tried Stevia I did not love it.... I felt it had a bitter after-taste, almost as bad as the fake sweetners on the market.... I stuck it in the cupboard and forgot about it...then I went on the HCG diet (using the homeopathic drops) and this is the only sweetner allowed... after a couple weeks on the diet I got this out of the cupboard and tried it again... night and day is the only way I can describe the difference! This time the Stevia lived up to all the rave reviews I had read here on Amazon. Delicious, very sweet and zero aftertaste (except sweet) absolutely NO bitter taste whatsoever.... I was amazed and pleased - to say the least. Did you know that Stevia does not change your glucose levels? Yes, that's right, you can use it in place of sugar and not raise your glucose levels. Also, this is 100% organic - not just "natural" like some of the mis-leading advertisers want you to believe are "healthy" - nope, this is 100% organic and has zero side effects.... After thinking it over I think that the reason my initial taste test of Stevia was so bad is that I was still using regular sugar... once on the HCG diet I had zero sugar of any kind in my system for several weeks (and I do not use fake sweetners, ever...super ultra bad for you in case you have not heard). Now that I had all the "natural" (i.e., honey, pure cane evaporated sugar crystals, organic agave, etc., etc.) out of my system the Stevia tasted great... so, my advice is, don't judge it to be bitter unless you have no sugar in your system and be sure to use very little...very little. Highly recommend.

It is difficult to find a pure stevia product, one that does not contain any additives. This one does and it is intensely sweet to me, needing only a very small amount using the tiny scoop supplied. I do place it in my cup before adding liquids, as it does not dissolve easily if you try stirring it in afterwards. With time, it will dissolve in hot liquids on top, cold is more of a challenge. That being said, it is sweet, delicious and without the strong aftertaste that some stevia products have. While it seems very pricy, a little goes a long way and the jar lasts a very long time. It is the best sugar substitute for hot or cold liquids that I have found.

This is the only Stevia I buy. I have tried the liquid and other brands but I totally prefer this product. I like the sweetness I get using a small amount of product. I will be honest I do use more than 1 little spoonful provided. It’s all in what you prefer for sweetness, so if this is your first time purchasing. I would start with the suggested amount, if it’s not sweet enough for you add a little more until it how you like it. You’ll find you get good and just sprinkling the right amount in. WARNING though if you do that, it can come out to fast and you get more than you intended.

Very bitter!