Sweets for the sweet[/caption]I'm always looking for a sweetener that brings a natural approach to the foods I make. It's very difficult to find an acceptable product because everyone has their own definition of what natural means and there is a lot of wiggle room with the term. Agave syrup is great if my palette wants a syrupy texture but that is not always the case.
When I was offered to sample and review Nectresse by Smile.y, I was intrigued. I became more curious when the product stated it was 100% Natural- nothing artificial but it has zero calories. How is that possible? Well, once I received the samples to giveaway and a full box to try out, I was able to look further.
The Breakdown:
Nectresse is made of- Erythritol, Sugar, Monk Fruit Extract and Molasses. That is all!
What is Erythritol, you ask (because I know I did)? Erythritol is sugar alcohol. This product is naturally produced in some fruits and some fermented foods. I'll break down how this works but if you are not in the mood for a little simple science, please just skip to the taste test below. I promise, I won't mind!
Why it is labeled as non-caloric: It is actually "almost" non-caloric. This is where things differ in how foods are labeled here versus in Europe. In Europe, they disclose the 0.2 kilocalories per gram (kilocalorie and the wording calorie are equivalent). This breaks down to Erythritol being 95% less caloric than sugar. Each packet of Nectresse contains 2.4 grams, so I can see why zero is suitable and may be claimed (Thanks, FDA!). The calories are virtually not there and is pretty much 0.5 calories per packet (being generous here and rounding up), so just shake the packet out with some "oomph" and you've had your workout to make up for the calories you will be taking in from Nectresse
How sweet is it compared to simple white sugar: 60 to 70% as sweet as table sugar.
Other Positive Factors to not overlook: The sugar in this form is absorbed in the small intestine and this means 10% only enters the colon. You are left with 90% never entering the large intestine and this results in not experiencing the laxative effects or disturbances (or as I see it, side effects) you get from other sweeteners. Always a major plus in my book. It gets better in case the aforementioned is not a big issue. Due to how the body absorbs Erythritol, it does not affect blood sugar, making it a choice for diabetics or a choice for anyone. Why even play in the pre-diabetis zone with so many products containing so much sugar. Erythritol also does not cause any tooth decay. Your oral bacteria just is incapable of metabolizing it like normal sugar. This means no cavities!
Monk Fruit & Molasses: This just brings fructose and glucose to the table. Pretty much sweetness from the juice and no notable factors to share as with Molasses.
Taste Test:
Alright, I got the science and boring stuff over but I know my pressing curiosity was "how bad does it taste?". Yup, I was thinking bad aftertaste from the start. I used my finger and first dabbed thinking "what chemical is this going to resemble?". To get an idea of how my taste buds work, I dislike Splenda and I feel Stevia and many others that have come down the marketing chain do have an aftertaste that takes away from the "real flavors" of the foods you added it too. I tasted what I would describe as those raw sugar packets. A little white and brown sugar taste. You get a powder sugar finish, meaning the sugar dissolves very finely in the mouth so you are taken aback by how sweet it is. I got a cooling effect on the tongue when the crystals hit and dissolve so quickly- your saliva just liquifies it. I had a little more and sometimes I picked up bitter notes but not like extra sour. Realize this is me tasting from the packet because I did not want any variables from coffee, tea, or even milk masking anything. I will say I went back many times and just made my conclusion: I like it! Does it have an aftertaste? Yes, but not chemical-like and so far has been the best. It did not foul my tea or coffee and I had forgotten I used it at all when I finished drinking my cup. I added less than the packet contained because I found the level that sweetened my cup enough...just like I do with normal sugar.
Addendum: If you are wondering about baking, Erythritol, does not absorb moisture so you would end up with a dryer end product. I'm fine with that as I prefer having a 1/2 piece of cake that tastes great versus an entire piece that is dry and off. One small minus with a whole bunch of pluses!
Enough, Already! What's the Verdict?:
I would buy it. That's my endorsement on this one. I think it's a great option.
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