How do Stevia, Stevioside, and Rebaudioside A (RebA) differ from one another?
Stevia is the common name for stevia sweeteners. It is also used to describe the plant. Stevioside is one of the glycosides (sweet component) found in the stevia leaf. Stevioside extract is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar but has a bitter menthol-like aftertaste which can be tasted in conventional stevia sweetener extracts sold on the market. RebA is also a glycoside found in the stevia leaf. RebA extract is around 300 times sweeter than sugar. RebA is the sweetest compound in the leaf and does not have an aftertaste. Conventional stevia sweeteners also contain Rebaudioside A but in minute traces. Pure Lite™ contains more than 99% RebA making it the ideal natural sweetener with no aftertaste.
