Monk fruit and tagatose are both naturally derived sweeteners and are used as alternatives to traditional sugar. In this guide, we will explain what tagatose is, what it’s used for, how it compares to monk fruit, and which is best for your lifestyle.
What is tagatose?
Tagatose is a low-calorie sweetener that is naturally found in small amounts of food, including some fruits and dairy products, but is usually produced commercially because it’s not found in large quantities in nature.
What is tagatose used for?
Tagatose sweetener is most commonly used as a low-calorie sugar alternative in food and drinks. Manufacturers use tagatose sweetener to reduce the sugar content of a product without losing too much of the familiar taste. Because tagatose is close to sugar in sweetness, it’s often used in reduced-sugar cooking and products, like yoghurts, drinks, cereals, and chewing gum.
One of the reasons tagatose sweetener is popular in food production is that it can offer sweetness while contributing to mouthfeel and browning. This makes it particularly useful in certain baked products, where sugar does more than simply add sweetness. However, because tagatose is not as intensely sweet as monk fruit, it is usually used in larger quantities.
Monk fruit vs tagatose: How do they compare?
| Feature | Monk fruit | Tagatose |
| Source | Monk fruit, a fruit grown in Southern China. | A rare sugar that occurs naturally in small amounts in some fruits and dairy products, but is usually produced commercially. |
| Sweetness | Around 200–300 times sweeter than sugar, so only a tiny amount is needed. | Around 90–92% as sweet as sugar, so it tastes similar but slightly less sweet. |
| Calories | Naturally zero calories. | Lower in calories than sugar, but not calorie-free. |
| Taste | Naturally sweet and concentrated. Best used carefully, as a little goes a long way. | Similar to sugar in taste, with a familiar sweetness profile. |
| Common uses | Used in drinks, smoothies, porridge, yoghurt, sauces, desserts and home baking. | Often used in reduced-sugar snacks, yoghurts, drinks, confectionery and baked goods. |
| How it behaves in recipes | Adds sweetness without the bulk of sugar, so recipes may need adjusting when baking. | Behaves more like sugar and can help with texture, mouthfeel and browning. |
| Best suited for | People looking for a natural, fruit-derived, zero-calorie sugar alternative. | People looking for a low-calorie sweetener that is closer to sugar in taste and function. |
While tagatose is closer to sugar in the way it tastes and behaves, monk fruit offers a much more concentrated natural sweetness. For everyday use, monk fruit is a simple and versatile choice, especially for those looking to reduce sugar without giving up sweetness.
Is monk fruit better than thaumatin?
Tagatose sweetener may appeal more to food manufacturers or home cookers, who want something closer to sugar in taste, texture and behaviour. But with daily use, monk fruit is an ideal plant-based sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar, contains no calories, and can be used in very small amounts.
Discover monk fruit with Buddha fruit
Ready to try monk fruit for yourself? Explore our range of natural monk fruit sweeteners, from powders, liquidised products, blends and more.
