Stevioside is a naturally occurring steviol glycoside extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. It is one of the primary sweet compounds in the stevia plant and has been used as a non-caloric sweetener in food and beverage products around the world. Unlike Rebaudioside A, stevioside has a slightly more noticeable aftertaste, but it remains widely used in formulations where cost efficiency is a priority.
Kosher certification for stevioside is readily available from multiple international agencies. Because stevioside is plant-derived and goes through well-documented extraction processes, it typically qualifies as kosher Pareve when produced under proper supervision.
Kosher Agencies Certifying Stevioside
Several respected kosher certification bodies oversee stevioside production globally. The KLBD (London Beth Din) has certified stevioside produced by Zhucheng Haotian Pharm Co., Ltd. in Shandong, China, classifying it as Pareve for non-Passover use. Kof-K has certified stevioside from Xinghua GL Stevia Co., Ltd. in Jiangsu, China, also with a Pareve designation.
The OU (Orthodox Union) certifies major stevia producers including Ingredion and Cargill, whose product lines encompass steviol glycosides. These certifications require ongoing audits of raw material sourcing, processing equipment, and finished product testing to maintain compliance.
Stevioside vs. Rebaudioside A
Stevioside and Rebaudioside A are both steviol glycosides, but they differ in taste profile and market positioning. Stevioside typically has a more pronounced bitter or licorice-like aftertaste compared to Reb-A. Products standardized to 70% stevioside with 95% total steviol glycosides (SG95) represent a common commercial grade.
Reb-A commands a premium price because of its cleaner taste, especially at purities of 85% and above. Stevioside is more cost-effective and works well in applications where other flavors mask the aftertaste, such as flavored beverages, sauces, and confections.
Production and Kosher Considerations
Stevioside production follows the same general process as other stevia extracts. Leaves are harvested, dried, and steeped in water to extract the sweet compounds.
The liquid is then filtered, purified, and dried into a powder. Some manufacturers use ethanol in the purification step, which must be from a kosher-approved source.
Fermentation-based production methods are also emerging for steviol glycosides. These processes use microorganisms to produce specific glycosides from sugar substrates. Kosher supervision of fermentation requires verification that all microbial cultures, nutrients, and processing aids meet kosher standards.
Sourcing Kosher Stevioside for Manufacturing
When selecting a stevioside supplier, request current kosher certificates that specify the certifying agency, product name, and Pareve classification. Confirm that the certificate covers the specific production facility and has not expired. Manufacturers in China are the primary global source, with multiple facilities holding KLBD, Kof-K, and OU certifications.
Bulk stevioside is typically available in 25 kg packaging for food-grade applications. Specifications should include stevioside content percentage, total steviol glycoside purity, moisture content, and heavy metal limits alongside the kosher certificate.
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