FOOD AND BEVERAGE SWEETENERS
Natural sweetener compositions are disclosed, which generally include steviol glycosides extracted from a Stevia rebaudiana plant and an amino acid component consisting of free glycine. The natural sweetener compositions may optionally further include gymnemic acid (such as an extract of a Gymnemic sylvestre herb that includes 25%-75% gymnemic acid). The natural sweetener compositions may consist essentially of those two or three components—or may be included in beverages, beverage powders, and foods.
1 . A composition for adding a sweet flavor to foods and beverages, which comprises:
(a) steviol glycosides extracted from a Stevia rebaudiana plant; and
(b) an amino acid component consisting of free glycine.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , which further comprises gymnemic acid.
3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises:
(a) 10 mg-120 mg steviol glycosides extracted from a Stevia rebaudiana plant per serving;
(b) 1000 mg-10,000 mg of free glycine per serving; and
(c) 0.1 mg-200 mg of gymnemic acid per serving.
4 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the gymnemic acid consists of an extract of a Gymnemic sylvestre herb, wherein said extract comprises 25%-75% gymnemic acid.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , which consists essentially of:
(a) steviol glycosides extracted from a Stevia rebaudiana plant; and
(b) an amino acid component consisting of free glycine.
6 . The composition of claim 5 , which further comprises gymnemic acid.
7 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the composition consists essentially of:
(a) 10 mg-120 mg steviol glycosides extracted from a Stevia rebaudiana plant per serving;
(b) 1000 mg-10,000 mg of free glycine per serving; and
(c) 0.1 mg-200 mg of gymnemic acid per serving.
8 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the gymnemic acid consists of an extract of a Gymnemic sylvestre herb, wherein said extract comprises 25%-75% gymnemic acid.
9 . A composition for adding a sweet flavor to foods and beverages, which comprises:
(a) a mixture of stevioside and rebaudioside A; and
(b) an amino acid component consisting of free glycine.
10 . The composition of claim 9 , which further comprises gymnemic acid.
11 . The composition of claim 9 , which consists essentially of:
(a) a mixture of stevioside and rebaudioside A; and
(b) an amino acid component consisting of free glycine.
12 . The composition of claim 10 , which consists essentially of:
(a) a mixture of stevioside and rebaudioside A;
(b) an amino acid component consisting of free glycine; and
(c) gymnemic acid.
13 . (canceled)
14 . (canceled)
15 . (canceled)
16 . (canceled)
17 . (canceled)
18 . (canceled)
19 . (canceled)