What is the difference between Erythritol and Xylitol?
Erythritol & Xylitol are both natural sugar alcohols but vary slightly in depth of sweetness, glycemic index and how they are produced.
Xylitol is about the same sweetness as sugar where as Erythritol is only about 70% as sweet as sugar.
Xylitol has a glycemic index (GI) of around 7-12, Erythritol has a glycemic index at 0-1.
These are both extremely low compared to sugar with a GI of around 65 and glucose at 100.
Erythritol has 0.2 calories per gram, while Xylitol has 2.4 calories per gram
What is the difference between corn and Birch Xylitol?
Xylitol was originally made in Finland during the war when sugar rations were light, where it was made from the bark of local Birch trees. Though birch bark is still used these days it is more commonly made from corn cobs.
Our understanding is that the end product of both types of xylitol are apparently exactly the same. There is no difference in the taste or the composition.
Perhaps the biggest difference is in how sustainable they are. Many mature hard wood Birch tree need to be felled to produce Xylitol. Corn on the other hand is in plentiful supply with several harvest possible each year.
Not only is birch Xylitol less sustainable, it is also more expensive. For these reasons we have chosen to use non-GMO corn Xylitol.
Are your sweeteners the same as artificial sweeteners?
Absolutely NOT. All our sweeteners originate from a 100% natural source.
Stevia comes directly from the Stevia plant.
Xylitol and Erythritol are naturally found in fruits and vegetables (we even produce them in our own bodies in small amounts).
Do your sweeteners contain GMOs?
NO!! To the best of our knowledge they do not. We source product from producers that are verified by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organisation offering rigorous product verification and trustworthy education to consumers around the world.
Find out more at https://www.nongmoproject.org/.
Are your products GMO-free?
Yes. All products carry Non-GMO Project Verified certification.
Are your products gluten-free?
Our products have been tested and verified as gluten-free by Eurofins.
Do your products contain artificial ingredients?
No. Currently we only supply natural products and avoid artificial or synthetic sweeteners and refined sugars.
Are your products Organic?
Where possible we use Organic Stevia and Organic Monk Fruit, however due to flavourings and blends developed through fermentation we cannot claim "Organic" status.
Is your packaging sustainable?
We previously used a "compostable" material that it is only compostable at industrial grade heat levels, which are commonly sold in New Zealand as "compostable". After talking with packaging experts in New Zealand, we agreed that recycling is the best way forward at the present time.
Currently we use recyclable plastics like MOPP/VMPET/PE. We are keeping our eyes on this space for alternatives that can print cleanly, able to stand on a shelf, and durable over time without flaking.
Who uses your products?
A diverse range of people use our products with the shared goal of reducing calorie intake. Common profiles include people on Keto diets, diabetics and pre-diabetics, weight conscious, post-bariatric care, or concerned partners/parents substituting refined sugars from the diet of their loved ones.