9 Consumer staff members tried 10 commercial sweeteners in tea or coffee. Each sample was tasted “blind” so they didn’t know which product they were trying.
Our tasters rated each product on its sweetness, aftertaste, overall taste and whether or not they’d buy the product.
While there was no clear winner, the products were easily split into 2 groups: “above average” and “below average”. Among the preferred products – which contained sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, erythritol, and a combination of saccharin and cyclamate – no one sweetener came out on top.
The 3 products containing stevia rated poorly, with one product in particular – Nirvana Organics Stevia (tablets) – receiving more than its fair share of harsh comments. It fizzed as it dissolved and left an “unpleasant residue” on the surface of the tea or coffee. It also took a long time to dissolve.
We also included plain old table sugar in our tasting. Not surprisingly it rated above average and received favourable comments like “the perfect sweetener, not too sweet, not too plastic-y”.
Overall we found that taste was subjective: what tastes “just right” to one person can taste “too sweet” to another. We suggest trying a range of products until you find one that tastes “just right” to you.
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