Let's talk about sugar. It's delicious, yes! But often comes with side effects that aren't quite as tasty. As more and more wellness-savvy folks reach for alternative sweeteners to add to their desserts, coffee, and more, we are thrilled to deliver on this trend with many sugar-free supplements! 

Though there are many alternative sweeteners out there, one that MaryRuth has been a fan of for a long time, often used in her baking in cooking is monk fruit. And for a good reason. Let's dive into the details, shall we?

What is Monk Fruit?

Also known as Luo Han Guo, monk fruit extract is an incredibly sweet tasting alternative to sugar. It is a relatively small, round fruit often grown throughout Southeast Asia. 

The sweetener is created by removing the fruit's seeds and skin and crushing it to extract the juice, which is then left to dry and later made into a concentrated powder. To reduce the sweetness factor and intensity so our taste buds can handle it, erythritol (a sugar alcohol) is typically added. 

Monk Fruit Benefits

Other than its sweet and delicious taste, the benefits of monk fruit include:

• Zero carbs, calories, and sugar
• Can be purchased as a powder, granule, and liquid
• May potentially benefit health
• No bitter aftertaste

Monk Fruit vs. Stevia

Both monk fruit and stevia are sugar-free, calorie-free sweeteners that can be used in the place of sugar to sweeten foods and beverages without impacting blood sugar levels.

With similar health benefits, both natural sweeteners are great options for people trying to reduce their refined sugar consumption. 

In the end, what it boils down to is what you prefer. Both stevia and monk fruit can have aftertastes that may or may not be enjoyable for you.

Ways to Use Monk Fruit

You can use monk fruit sweeteners to sweeten almost anything, including:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Salad Dressings
• Oatmeal
• Smoothies
• Baked goods

In fact, we have many recipes that are made with monk fruit! 

Monk Fruit Recipes

MaryRuth loves to cook and bake using monk fruit. Check out some of her favorite recipes where you can experiment using various natural sweeteners. 

• One Pan Pumpkin Pie: Vegan & Gluten-Free
• Chocolate Covered Sesame Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

You can also find monk fruit in our Omega 3-6-7-9 Gummies! And stay tuned for more products to come using monk fruit. 

Visit the blog for recipes, tips, and tricks from MaryRuth herself, plus more health education.