# For those that can tolerate artificial sweeteners **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328 "2018-01-23T22:11:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/1 "2018-01-23T22:11:29Z")
Normally I have no real problem with artificial sweeteners, but I picked up several different cans of Zevia soda the other day, and to a one they each tasted terribly…off. I checked what sweetener they used a plant-based substance called “stevia”. Well, I acquired a couple of packets of stevia to put in my coffee. Two sips later, I poured it into the sink. Anyone else dislike it this much? BTW, if you want to talk about the evils of artificial sweeteners, please go elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/2 "2018-01-23T22:23:09Z")
Stevia is fucking awful, in my opinion. It’s the most disgusting – to me – of all the zero calorie sweeteners. I don’t care if it’s “natural.” It tastes like ass. I’ll take saccharine, sucralose, aspartame, ace k, absolutely anything over it. (For me, my favorite artificial sweetener is a combo of aspartame and ace k.) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/3 "2018-01-23T22:26:18Z")
Stevia is a natural sweetener, not artificial. It has it’s own taste and that varies with the distributor and the refining process. I find it best when combined with other sweeteners then used by itself. Zevia has different flavors, some are very off, some OK, my favorite would be tonic water. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/4 "2018-01-23T22:34:47Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Stevia is a natural sweetener, not artificial. It has it’s own taste and that varies with the distributor and the refining process. I find it best when combined with other sweeteners then used by itself. > > Zevia has different flavors, some are very off, some OK, my favorite would be tonic water. It’s an artificial sugar, and the fact that it has its own taste is the problem-it tastes like another flavor that has been sweetened, then added to the item that is supposed to have it’s own distinct flavor. It’s like the difference between adding a small spoon of sugar to your porridge, and adding a small spoon of lemon sugar-the second adds an unexpected(and unwanted) flavor to the porridge. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/5 "2018-01-23T23:33:57Z")
I was going to try Stevia, but now I won’t. Thanks for the heads up. As pricey as it is, it ought to be the tastiest one of all. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/6 "2018-01-23T23:40:54Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > I was going to try Stevia, but now I won’t. Thanks for the heads up. As pricey as it is, it ought to be the tastiest one of all. There are some folks who apparently love the stuff. I’m sure you can find some at a coffeehouse or somewhere that has multiple sugar substitutes and taste for yourself. Everybody seems to be a bit different in what flavors they perceive and react to in sugar substitutes. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/7 "2018-01-23T23:51:52Z")
Yeah, I’m another stevia-hater. Saccharine is also terrible to me. But I drink a Coke Zero (or “Zero Sugar, derp”) almost daily and love it, so it’s not the lack of sugar: it’s the aftertaste, or co-taste, or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/8 "2018-01-23T23:53:24Z")
I love Stevia and have grown my own a couple of times. The key thing about Stevia is that you really only use a fraction of the amount that you would of sugar. Because it is so intensely sweet if too much is used it tastes horrible. Some tips from here [https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/](https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/9 "2018-01-23T23:56:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Anyone else dislike it this much? My SO picks up a six-pack from Whole Foods every so often. I took a couple sips out of one and handed it right back to her. I could tell that an entire can of the stuff would disagree with my digestion, much like Diet Coke used to. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/10 "2018-01-24T00:02:39Z")
I prefer Sweet n Low in my iced tea over sugar. Equal has a “meth” aftertaste. Which I find disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/11 "2018-01-24T00:19:59Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > I love Stevia and have grown my own a couple of times. The key thing about Stevia is that you really only use a fraction of the amount that you would of sugar. Because it is so intensely sweet if too much is used it tastes horrible. Some tips from here [https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/](https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/) This. I bought a box of Stevia packets to put on my oatmeal. I found that using about 1/2 packet plus some cinnamon makes it just about right. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/12 "2018-01-24T00:40:30Z")
Wait, I don’t get it. You tried a few drinks with stevia, and you didn’t like them. Based on this experience, you… bought more stevia? What am I missing, here? ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/13 "2018-01-24T00:48:55Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Normally I have no real problem with artificial sweeteners, but I picked up several different cans of Zevia soda the other day, and to a one they each tasted terribly…off. I checked what sweetener they used a plant-based substance called “stevia”. Well, I acquired a couple of packets of stevia to put in my coffee. Two sips later, I poured it into the sink. Anyone else dislike it this much? > BTW, if you want to talk about the evils of artificial sweeteners, please go elsewhere. Haven’t used the “green stuff” enough to have any opinon. The blue stuff is my go to, will use the pink stuff if that’s all there is. Do not care for the yellow stuff AT ALL. Actually stopped drinking diet offerings from Pepsi(?) when they decided to new and “improve” them all with that yellow garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/14 "2018-01-24T00:52:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wait, I don’t get it. You tried a few drinks with stevia, and you didn’t like them. Based on this experience, you… bought more stevia? What am I missing, here? Some drinks taste bad no matter what you put in them. I just wanted to isolate the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/15 "2018-01-24T00:53:27Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > I love Stevia and have grown my own a couple of times. The key thing about Stevia is that you really only use a fraction of the amount that you would of sugar. Because it is so intensely sweet if too much is used it tastes horrible. Some tips from here [https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/](https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/how-to-like-stevia/) Use just a little bit, along with other sweeteners, and gradually use more until you’re used to the taste? That’s Stockholm Syndrome… ---
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/16 "2018-01-24T01:14:07Z")
I too am a stevia-hater. I purchased a box of Celestial Seasoning Sweet Harvest Pumpkin. Stuff tasted like crap. I read the label\* they put stevia in it. They never pre-sweeten their tea arrogant controlling S.O.B’s! \*who reads tea labels in the store? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/17 "2018-01-24T14:25:44Z")
My local 7-11 recently put Stevia packets at their coffee bar and I tried it. Once. I’ll stick with the one pink and one yellow in my coffee please. Hold the blue and green. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/18 "2018-01-24T14:43:53Z")
Another Stevia hater. I have tried different brands, and some mixed with other sweeteners, just to see if it was the processing or whatever. They all taste foul and bitter to me. I will not buy any product sweetened with it. The only non-sugar sweeteners I will use now are xylitol (made from birch hardwoods, at least the brand I buy, invented in Finland, and actually good for the teeth) or, on rare occasions, real maple syrup. Just as high in carbs as sugar, but doesn’t spike the blood sugar the same way. Mostly, though, I am learning to like things unsweetened. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/19 "2018-01-24T15:38:25Z")
I also can’t stand stevia (in coffee specifically.) To me it tastes “hollow,” if that makes any sense. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328/20 "2018-01-24T15:47:41Z")
Zevia was a client of mine, a few years ago; we did product development work for them. And, yeah, it’s definitely a taste that’s pretty polarizing, and, IMO, stevia is a sweetener that tastes substantially _differently_ from sugar, moreso than the engineered sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-that-can-tolerate-artificial-sweeteners/807328.md?page=2)