Summary
Looking for a breakthrough in clean label sugar reduction? MonkSweet LS4 is a proprietary blend of Mogroside V from monk fruit and Reb M stevia leaf extract, engineered to deliver intense sweetness without off-notes or bitter aftertastes. Developed by Icon Foods, this next-gen natural sweetener not only satisfies consumer demand for clean, transparent ingredients but also excels in flavor masking—making it a powerful tool for food scientists reformulating everything from beverages and baked goods to high-protein snacks. Dive into the science, benefits, and usage strategies behind this innovation in sweetening.
Authored by: Thom King, Icon Foods
Chief Innovations Officer/Food Scientist
The growing awareness of health issues associated with excessive sugar consumption, compounded by recent initiatives set forth by U.S. Health and Human Services, has led formulators to seek alternatives that can provide sweetness without the detrimental effects of sugar. MonkSweet LS4 represents a significant advancement in this pursuit, combining the natural sweetness and masking characteristics of monk fruit (mogroside V) and Reb M stevia leaf extract. As a clean label solution, it addresses the dual challenges of sugar reduction and ingredient transparency, making it an attractive option for food scientists and formulators.
Composition and Features of MonkSweet LS4
Icon Foods’ MonkSweet LS4 is a unique blend that harnesses two potent natural glycosides:
- Mogroside V: Extracted from monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), mogroside V is known for its intense sweetness, estimated to be 150-200 times sweeter than sucrose. High concentrations of mogroside V in monk fruit extract, provides a clean, neutral sweet flavor without the bitter aftertaste often associated with other sweeteners.
- Reb M Stevia Leaf Extract: Reb M is one of the most desirable steviol glycosides derived from the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana). It is characterized by its exceptionally sweet profile, which is more palatable compared to other stevia extracts, and is less likely to impart a licorice-like aftertaste.
The blend of these two sweeteners in MonkSweet LS4 not only achieves a high level of sweetness but also enhances the overall flavor profile of food and beverages.
Benefits of MonkSweet LS4
- Unique Masking Abilities: One of the standout features of MonkSweet LS4 is its ability to effectively mask undesirable flavors commonly found in sugar substitutes. This is particularly beneficial in formulations where off flavors may arise from ingredients, such as adaptogenic compounds, or high concentrations of whey proteins or plant proteins. The combination of mogroside V and Reb M works synergistically to create a balanced sweetness from the front of the palate to mid-palate that minimizes the perception of bitterness or off-notes, making it easier to formulate palatable products.
- Intense and Neutral Sweet Flavor: MonkSweet LS4 delivers a sweetening experience that closely resembles that of sucralose. Its intense sweetness means that only small quantities are needed, which is advantageous for product formulation, as it allows for lower-calorie and lower-sugar options. Additionally, its neutral flavor profile ensures that it does not interfere with the intended taste of the product, making it versatile for a wide range of applications.
- Clean Label Appeal: As consumers become increasingly discerning about ingredient transparency, MonkSweet LS4 caters to the clean label trend. The blend is available in both conventional and organic forms, allowing food manufacturers to meet diverse consumer preferences while maintaining a commitment to natural ingredients.
- Versatility in Applications: MonkSweet LS4 can be effectively utilized across a variety of food and beverage categories, including beverages, baked goods, dairy products, and snack foods. Its functionality and heat tolerance extends to both dry and liquid applications where thermal processing is required, making it a valuable addition to the formulators’ toolkit.
MonkSweet LS4 Usage Levels
MonkSweet LS4 is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. In most food and beverage applications where “no-added sugar” is the goal, usage can start at .25% of the total solution weight with titration up to .85% of the total weight or whenever the desired flavor is reached. MonkSweet LS4 pairs exceptionally well with sucrose where it can complement the sweetening of sugar thus expressing greater sweetness and making sugar go further in your application. If sugar reduction is the goal, the following chart illustrates usage levels in relation to sugar reduction.
MonkSweet LS4 in the Clean Label Sugar Reduction Space
The clean label movement emphasizes transparency, simplicity, and the use of natural ingredients. MonkSweet LS4 aligns perfectly with these values, providing formulators with a solution that meets consumer demands for healthier options without compromising on taste. By incorporating this proprietary blend into their formulations, food scientists can achieve significant sugar reductions while enhancing flavor profiles.
As consumer preference continues to shift toward higher protein and healthier alternatives, products like MonkSweet LS4 will play a pivotal role in enabling food innovators to create delicious, guilt-free options that cater to the modern palate.
Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for MonkSweet LS4, samples, documentation formulation and usage guidance.
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