What's in YOUR Stevia?

This morning I decided that it was time I finally did a "stevia post". I know there are many new folks just beginning their search for suitable products as they clean out their pantries to remove wheat, grains and sugar from their diets. For many, many, years now...after trying almost every brand of stevia, I settled on NuNaturals pure stevia (both liquid and powdered versions). I preferred their alcohol free liquid drops. It was non-bitter and the most pleasant tasting. When I re-ordered it recently, I was very disappointed by how it tasted and it wasn't the usual clear color like before...it had a light yellow-ish cast to it and it didn't taste good. I initially assumed that I had received a bad batch. Fortunately, I still had some of the original version left so I could compare it side by side. I had planned to return it, since it was bad, but decided to turn to the internet (which as many of you know can be a good thing or a bad thing sometimes). What I found was a few other comments about a change in their formula. So, I contacted the company and they were very nice. They admitted that yes, they had changed their formula because they could no longer get stevia from their original source. I was quite disappointed. I am currently still using an old bottle of the NuNaturals pure powdered version but know that once it is gone...I will again be on a search. They have a new product that I plan to try, but I do not care for their version I used exclusively for so long.

So, back to my quest on the internet for the best "non-bitter" tasting stevia. Other than finding raves about NuNaturals (the original version), I kept coming up with KAL. The more I read and researched the more unclear it became because I stumbled on a few comments about KAL's version being recently changed and not good, too. I had recently received several private messages from folks questioning me about whether it comes from China. On my internet quest, I found a few remarks of people saying the same thing....that KAL was labeled a "Product of China" and contained maltodextrin (sugar). On most of those comments there would be someone else that would counter that remark and swear it wasn't labeled that on their bottle. So, I checked some of the other bloggers that I know use stevia, too, and I still hadn't seen any confirming remarks about KAL (I did see a couple comment on NuNaturals). Since I was on a personal journey for a new kind of stevia, I went ahead and ordered 2 bottles of KAL "pure stevia" since a fellow blogger that uses it exclusively seems to love it. I ordered the KAL 3.5-ounce powdered extract that comes with a little scoop. The other was KAL's 2-ounce bottle of liquid pure stevia drops...I was excited to get it today and hopefully end my stevia journey once and for all. I actually awoke this morning to the rattling of the UPS truck and was excited. Well, I received my answer...just not the one I wanted to see/hear. BOTH versions contain maltodextrin (it is written as clear as day on the label)...AND, the powdered version is clearly labeled "Product of China". Now, maybe that doesn't bother some people...but it really bothers me...a LOT. To me, "pure stevia" means..."nothing but stevia". But, obviously, to these companies, "pure stevia" means that the stevia they add to the other ingredients is pure.  What, WHAT??? My smiley face turned upside down in a flash.

Since there are many new people just beginning their Wheat Belly journeys and other plans here at the new year...I wanted to spare you the waste of time and money (as most of you know, this stuff is not cheap). Now, if "maltodextrin" and "Product of China" doesn't bother you...then maybe this product is for you. I will be returning both of my products, unopened. So...for those of you that wonder if what you might have heard is correct...a picture says a thousand words. For those of you that might have recently received some that doesn't have that on the label...you are lucky to have received the previous original version that was still in inventory. This post is simply a "buyer beware". Personally, if these companies are adding a type of sugar to a product that many are using to try and AVOID it, why not be upfront about it so consumers know before they purchase it. We as consumers shouldn't find out about it after we have purchased it. Order at your own risk...you have been warned. Okay...my rant is over. Now...since pictures are worth a thousand words....see below...my search for a good tasting SAFE stevia continues. If anyone has ANY recommendations on a good tasting stevia (and I have tried most of them)...please share. Enjoy!   RANT OVER!

***Update: I just spoke with the company, Neutraceutical, that manufactures KAL stevia. They confirmed that they now add maltodextrin to their stevia products both to help keep it from "sticking to the machinery" and to "sweeten it". They also said that it has ALWAYS been a product of China but they are now required to label it as such. If you have further questions about the product, you can contact them at: 1-800-277-1660 (press #1 for product info).