I was sent some Nectresse to sample. Nectresse is a zero-calorie sweetener from the makers of Splenda, made out of monk fruit.

So…. what the heck is a monk fruit? It’s a fruit on a plant that is native to China and Thailand that is 300x sweeter than sugar. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, not only for medicinal benefits but also as a low-calorie sweetener.

The product also contains erythritol, which is a natural sugar-alcohol. This sugar alcohol is fermented from natural sugars and is found in fruits and vegetables. Because of this derivation, it has not been shown to show intestinal distress.

Nectresse is NOT considered an artificial sweetener, but is a natural sweetener due to the ingredients. It is recognized as being “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS by the FDA. And as for the “zero calorie” claim… it does contain a small amount of carbohydrate but the amount in which normal consumption would occur makes it less than 5 calories, which allows it to be classified as zero calorie. It is also gluten-free.

I’ve mainly used the Nectresse in my morning iced tea, but it can be used in baking. Since it is so much sweeter than sugar, it shouldn’t be used in a 1-for-1 measurement. 1/4 tsp Nectresse = 1 tsp sugar is the ratio recommended, but it’s also something to experiment with to see what your taste buds prefer. The packets are supposed to be the equivalent of 2 tsps of sugar.

I’ve liked using it, I think it tastes good and I haven’t noticed any aftertastes. You can get a free sample of Nectresse from their website if you are interested in giving it a try.