The Most Popular Sweetener, Ranked

Choose the sweetener you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:52
Considering the many options available for sweetening our beverages and food, it's often hard to determine which is favored by the majority. A ranked list of these sweeteners helps provide clarity and insights based on collective preferences. It serves as a useful guide for those looking to try something new or to find out what others prefer in their diet. This website allows everyone to cast a vote for their preferred sweetener, contributing to a dynamic and current ranking. Your participation helps ensure that the ranking reflects widespread tastes and trends. By engaging with the list, you play a key role in shaping a comprehensive guide that benefits a broad audience.

What Is the Most Popular Sweetener?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    The most popular sweetener, used in almost all sweet dishes and beverages.
    Sugar is a stunning rooftop bar located on the 40th floor of the EAST, Miami hotel, offering gorgeous panoramic views of the city. The design features an East Asian-inspired decor, with lush greenery, hanging lanterns, and an elegant wooden bar.
    • Location: 40th floor of the EAST, Miami hotel
    • View: Panoramic views of the city
    • Design: East Asian-inspired decor
    • Atmosphere: Elegant and luxurious
    • Capacity: Up to 300 people
  2. 2
    40
    votes
    A cheaper alternative to sugar, commonly used in processed foods and beverages.
    High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a commonly used sweetener made from corn starch, processed to convert some of its naturally occurring glucose into fructose. It is a liquid sweetener that is widely used as a substitute for table sugar in various food and beverage products.
    • Moisture Retention: HFCS helps retain moisture in baked goods, enhancing their texture and shelf life.
    • Relative Sweetness: HFCS is about 1.2 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar).
    • Composition: HFCS typically contains 42-55% fructose and 45-52% glucose, depending on the desired sweetness level.
    • Availability: HFCS is widely available in the United States and is commonly used in processed foods and beverages.
    • Liquid Form: HFCS is a liquid sweetener, making it easy to incorporate into various recipes and food manufacturing processes.
  3. 3
    12
    votes
    A natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, used as a sugar substitute in many health-conscious diets.
    Stevia is a popular natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is known for its intense sweetness and is often used as a substitute for sugar in various food and beverages. The sweetness of Stevia comes from its natural compounds called steviol glycosides.
    • Intensity of sweetness: Stevia is approximately 200-350 times sweeter than sugar.
    • Zero calorie: It is a non-caloric sweetener, making it suitable for those on low-calorie diets.
    • Natural origin: Stevia is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America.
    • Heat stable: It remains stable and does not lose its sweetness at high temperatures, making it suitable for cooking and baking.
    • Low glycemic index: Stevia has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for people with diabetes.
  4. 4
    16
    votes
    A natural sweetener produced by bees, used in baking, cooking, and as a natural remedy for various ailments.
    Honey is a warm, golden skin tone with subtle hints of amber and honey. It radiates a natural glow and has a rich, lustrous appearance.
    • Undertone: Warm
    • Shade: Golden
    • Complexion: Luminous
    • Intensity: Moderate
    • Brightness: Warm and Radiant
  5. 5
    18
    votes
    Agave nectar
    Sharky78 · CC BY 3.0
    A natural sweetener derived from the agave plant, commonly used in vegan and health-conscious diets.
    Agave nectar is a sweetener made from the sap of the agave plant. It is commonly used as a substitute for sugar or honey in various recipes and beverages, including as a mixer for Tequila cocktails. The nectar has a similar consistency to honey and a mild, delicate flavor profile that complements the taste of Tequila.
    • Sweetness: Sweeter than sugar
    • Consistency: Similar to honey
    • Flavor: Mild and delicate
    • Origins: Derived from the sap of the agave plant in Mexico
    • Color: Usually light to amber, but can vary
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    Maple syrup
    Miguel · Public domain
    A natural sweetener made from the sap of maple trees, commonly used as a topping for pancakes and waffles.
    Maple syrup is a sweet syrup made from the sap of various species of maple trees. It has a unique and distinct flavor profile that is both sweet and rich. The process of making maple syrup involves tapping the tree to collect its sap, which is then boiled down to remove water and concentrate the sugar content. The resulting syrup is commonly used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or desserts, and it can also be used as a natural sweetener in cooking and baking recipes.
    • Flavor: Sweet and rich
    • Color: Amber to dark brown
    • Consistency: Viscous liquid
    • Usage: Topping for pancakes, waffles, desserts, sweetener in cooking and baking
    • Origin: Indigenous peoples of northeastern North America
    Maple syrup in other rankings
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    A group of sugar substitutes that are low or zero calorie, commonly used in diet soda and other low-calorie products. Examples include aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose.
    Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that are used to provide sweetness to food and beverages without adding calories. They are typically created through chemical processes in order to mimic the taste of sugar.
    • Sweetness: Artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar.
    • Caloric content: Most artificial sweeteners have negligible or zero calorie content.
    • Stability: They are stable at high temperatures, making them suitable for use in baked goods.
    • Metabolism: Artificial sweeteners are not metabolized by the body and pass through unchanged.
    • Diabetic-friendly: Many artificial sweeteners do not significantly raise blood sugar levels.
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    A thick, dark syrup produced during the refining of sugar cane, used as a sweetener in baking and cooking.
    Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is a byproduct of the sugar refining process. It is typically made from sugarcane or sugar beets and has a rich, robust flavor.
    • Color: Dark brown
    • Consistency: Thick and viscous
    • Flavor: Sweet and rich with hints of bitterness
    • Nutritional Content: High in iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium
    • Caloric Value: Around 60 calories per tablespoon
  9. 9
    11
    votes
    Brown sugar
    Moe Rubenzahl · CC BY-SA 4.0
    A type of sugar that contains molasses, commonly used in baking and cooking.
    Brown sugar is a type of sweetener widely used in cooking and baking. It is a moist sugar with a subtle molasses flavor and a soft, sandy texture. Brown sugar is made by adding molasses back into refined white sugar, giving it a slightly caramel-like taste and its characteristic brown color. It is commonly used to sweeten various dishes, including desserts, sauces, and beverages.
    • Color: Brown
    • Texture: Moist and soft with a sandy consistency
    • Flavor: Subtle molasses flavor with a hint of caramel
    • Ingredients: Refined white sugar, molasses
    • Calories: Approximately 15 calories per teaspoon
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    Coconut sugar
    Edi Wibowo · CC BY-SA 3.0
    A natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut palm trees, commonly used in vegan and health-conscious diets.
    Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener derived from the sap of coconut palm trees. It is produced by harvesting the sap, which is boiled and dehydrated to create granules with a similar texture to brown sugar. Coconut sugar has gained popularity as an alternative to refined white sugar due to its lower glycemic index and higher nutritional content.
    • Glycemic Index (GI): 35-54
    • Calorie Content: 16 calories per teaspoon
    • Nutritional Content: Contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium
    • Taste: Mild caramel-like flavor
    • Color: Light to dark brown

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Ranking factors for popular sweetener

  1. Taste
    The taste of the sweetener is important, as it should be enjoyable and not leave an aftertaste.
  2. Availability
    The sweetener should be easily available in stores and online for consumers to purchase.
  3. Price
    The sweetener should be reasonably priced so that it is accessible to a wide range of consumers.
  4. Health considerations
    The sweetener should be healthy and not have any adverse health effects, such as causing allergies, spikes in blood sugar levels, or other negative health impacts.
  5. Usage
    The sweetener should be versatile and able to be used in a variety of foods and drinks, including baking and cooking.
  6. Brand reputation
    The reputation of the brand that produces the sweetener is also important, as consumers may be more likely to purchase from a trusted brand.
  7. Sustainability
    The environmental impact of the production and disposal of the sweetener should also be considered.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular sweetener. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Sweetener is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1721 views
  • 188 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Sweetener once every 24 hours. The rank of each Sweetener is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular sweetener

Sweeteners are substances that are added to food and drinks to enhance their taste. They come in various forms, including natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, as well as artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose. However, with the increasing awareness of health issues related to sugar intake, many people are turning towards alternative sweeteners for their daily intake. In this article, we will explore the most popular sweeteners and their benefits and drawbacks, to help you make an informed choice.

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