Summary
Choosing the right sweetener can make or break a performance beverage. In this technical comparison, we pit two of Icon Foods’ top natural sweeteners — SteviaSweet™ RM95D and MonkSweet™ LS4 — against each other to help formulators make informed decisions. RM95D delivers a clean, fast-onset sweetness ideal for hydration mixes and pre-workouts, while LS4 shines in masking off-notes from proteins, adaptogens, and botanicals in more complex RTD formulas. Whether you’re going for sharp clarity or smooth balance, this analysis outlines how each sweetener performs across ingredients, applications, and flavor goals.
Authored by: Thom King, Icon Foods
Chief Innovations Officer/Certified Food Scientist
In the wild world of better-for-you beverages, not all sweeteners are created equal—and two are stealing the spotlight. Meet SteviaSweet™ RM95D and MonkSweet™ LS4 — the dynamic duo of natural sweeteners built for high-performance formulations. RM95D is your sharp, clean-cut specialist: all business, no bitterness, with a fast-onset sweetness that snaps into place like a well-executed rep. MonkSweet LS4? That’s your smooth operator — built for complexity, it masks earthy, funky off-notes like a pro and delivers a sweetness curve that lingers just right. Whether you’re formulating a pre-workout powerhouse or a post-sweat recovery elixir, these two are the MVPs of your flavor game.
Overview of Sweeteners SteviaSweet™ RM95D and MonkSweet™ LS4
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| SteviaSweet™ RM95D | A high-purity steviol glycoside blend standardized to ≥95% Rebaudioside M, with Rebaudioside D included for synergy. Clean sweetness with enhanced upfront sweetness and minimal bitterness. |
| MonkSweet™ LS4 | A proprietary blend of Reb M + Mogroside V (Monk Fruit). Purpose-built for masking off-notes and extending sweetness duration. Targets bitter, metallic, or earthy notes common in functional ingredients. |
Sweetness Profile & Curve
| Attribute | SteviaSweet™ RM95D | MonkSweet™ LS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Sweetness | ~300x sucrose | ~325x sucrose |
| Sweetness Onset | Fast | Moderate |
| Sweetness Duration | Medium | Long |
| Bitterness / Astringency | Very low | Near-zero (excellent masking) |
| Aftertaste | Minimal | Smooth, round |
SteviaSweet™ RM95D offers a fast and clean punch; MonkSweet™ LS4 provides a smoother, more forgiving profile that lingers in a good way — especially useful in RTMs and protein-heavy RTDs.
The graph below illustrates the sweetness curve comparison: SteviaSweet™ RM95D shows a faster onset and shorter duration, while MonkSweet™ LS4 ramps up more slowly but lingers longer on the palate — perfect for complex formulations that need round, extended sweetness.
Functional Ingredient Compatibility
| Functional Ingredients | SteviaSweet™ RM95D | MonkSweet™ LS4 |
|---|---|---|
| BCAAs / EAAs | Good | Excellent (masks bitterness) |
| Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola) | May amplify earthy notes | Smooth masking |
| Electrolytes (Na+, K+, Mg2+) | Crisp, clear | Slightly rounder mouthfeel |
| Creatine / Beta-Alanine | Clean lift | Mitigates tingling & chalky mouthfeel |
| Plant Proteins (pea, hemp, rice) | Might reveal grassy notes | Excellent for masking |
| Collagen / Whey Protein Isolate | Performs well | Rounds dairy off-notes |
Takeaway: MonkSweet™ LS4 is a superior choice when formulating with challenging flavor profiles (e.g., botanicals, adaptogens, or plant-based proteins). SteviaSweet™ RM95D is best when clarity, speed of sweetness, and a clean label stevia profile are top priorities.
Solubility & Stability in Beverage Systems
| Beverage Type | SteviaSweet™ RM95D | MonkSweet™ LS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Workout (Citrus, Berry) | Crisp & clean | Balanced, adds roundness |
| Post-Workout Recovery (Protein + Creatine) | Works well, some edge | Exceptional masking of funk |
| High-Protein RTD (WPI, Casein) | Slight bitterness risk | Smooths dairy bovine off-notes |
| Plant-Based RTM (Pea/Hemp/Algae) | May enhance earthiness | Masks grassy/earthy/bean notes |
| Adaptogenic Tonic (Mushrooms, Herbs) | Reveals bitter/earthy tones | Rounds and balances flavor |
| Electrolyte / Hydration Mix | Crisp, good flavor release | Slightly sweeter linger, appealing in fruit profiles |
Formulation Strategy
| Feature | SteviaSweet™ RM95D | MonkSweet™ LS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | High clarity, low-cal pre & post workouts with minimal flavor interference | Complex formulas with bitter notes: plant protein RTDs, adaptogen tonics, hydration mixes |
| Masking Capability | Moderate | High |
| Sweetness Synergy | Excellent with erythritol or allulose | Pairs well with fibers + cooling polyols |
| Consumer Perception | “Stevia” on label (clean label appeal) | May require monk fruit + stevia label declaration |
| Regulatory | 21 CFR compliant as “Stevia Leaf Extract (Reb M, Reb D)” | Declared as “Monk Fruit Extract, Stevia Leaf Extract (Reb M)” |
Iconic Recommendations
- For clean-label pre-workout or hydration products with minimal botanicals, go with SteviaSweet™ RM95D.
- For high-protein, adaptogenic RTDs, or plant-based RTMs, MonkSweet™ LS4 will deliver better palatability and flavor harmony.
- Stack with FibRefine™, PreBiotica™ FOS, erythritol, or allulose for optimized sweetness curves and mouthfeel.
Icon Foods Advantage
At Icon Foods, we take pride in offering not only high-quality sweeteners, sweetening systems, fibers, inclusions, and sweetness modulators, but also a concierge-level service that helps customers with formulation, technical support, and regulatory compliance. Our commitment to clean-label, functional ingredients and streamlined logistics ensures that our customers can confidently innovate with the highest quality ingredients in the industry.
Reach out to your Icon Foods representative for SteviaSweet™ RM95D and MonkSweet™ LS4 samples, documentation and usage guidance.
Since 1999 Icon Foods has been your reliable supply chain partner for sweeteners, fibers, sweetening systems, inclusions and sweetness modulators.
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