Stevia Extract

Stevia Extract is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener made from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. The purified sweet compounds in the leaf, known as steviol glycosides, are roughly 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, so only a tiny amount is needed to sweeten a drink or a food product.

Arizone International supplies Stevia Extract in a range of purity grades for beverage, food, dairy, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturers who want to cut sugar without using artificial sweeteners.

From Paraguay to the World

Stevia is a small shrub native to the border region of Paraguay and Brazil. The Guarani people called it "ka'a he'ẽ", meaning sweet herb, and used the leaves to sweeten yerba mate and medicinal teas. Japan was one of the first countries to use stevia extract commercially, in the 1970s. Since then, it has been approved in many countries, including India, the United States and the European Union, in its purified steviol glycoside form.

In India, stevia is cultivated on a smaller scale in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab.

What Makes Stevia Sweet

• SteviosideThe most abundant glycoside in the leaf, very sweet but with a noticeable bitter aftertaste at high use levels.
• Rebaudioside A (Reb A)Cleaner and sweeter-tasting, the most widely used purified form.
• Reb D and Reb MMinor glycosides with a taste closer to sugar, used in premium products.
• Zero CaloriesSteviol glycosides are not used by the body for energy.

Grades Available

• Total steviol glycosides (TSG) 90% to 95%
• Reb A 60%, 80%, 95%, 97% and 98%
• Stevioside-rich grades
• Stevia leaf powder and green leaf extract
• Blends with erythritol or other bulking agents for tabletop use

Higher Reb A grades usually have less aftertaste but cost more. Many brands use blends or flavour maskers to find a balance between taste and price.

Applications

• Soft drinks, juices, flavoured water and energy drinks
• Dairy products such as yoghurt, flavoured milk and ice cream
• Protein powders, meal replacements and sports nutrition
• Tabletop sweeteners, sachets and drops
• Chewing gum, candies and chocolates
• Sugar-free bakery and breakfast cereals
• Syrups, chewable tablets and oral-care products
• Diabetic-friendly and keto food products

Regulations and Labelling

International food safety experts at JECFA have set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg per kg body weight, expressed as steviol equivalents. In India, steviol glycosides are permitted by FSSAI in listed food categories at specified maximum levels. Always check the rules for your target market, as permitted use levels and labelling differ between countries.

Quality and Storage

We test each batch of Stevia Extract by HPLC for steviol glycoside content and also check moisture, ash, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbiology. The powder is white to off-white and should be stored sealed in a dry place.

Why Choose Arizone International?

We supply sweetener ingredients to beverage and food companies worldwide. We can help you choose a grade that tastes right in your product and supply samples for trials, bulk quantities and private label tabletop sweeteners.

Share your required grade, quantity, packaging and destination to receive a quotation for Stevia Extract.