When it comes to sugar alternatives, monk fruit and thaumatin are both natural plant-based sweeteners, but their sweetness and uses differ. In this guide, we discuss what thaumatin is, what it’s used for, how it compares to monk fruit, and its side effects.
What is thaumatin?
Thaumatin is a natural and sweet protein that’s extracted from the katemfe fruit, or Thaumatococcus daniellii. Thaumatin is often listed on food labels as E957, and is used in food and drinks as both a sweetener and a flavour modifier, which helps enhance sweetness and soften bitterness in certain products.
What is thaumatin used for?
Thaumatin sweetener is often used in tiny amounts in manufactured foods, rather than spooned into tea or coffee at home. As thaumatin sweetener is intensely sweet, only a small amount is needed, and it can be commonly found in products like chewing gum, flavoured drinks, desserts, confectionery, supplements and other reduced-sugar foods.
Monk fruit vs thaumatin: How do they compare?
| Feature | Monk fruit | Thaumatin |
| Source | Monk fruit | Katemfe fruit |
| Sweet compounds | Mogrosides | Sweet proteins, mainly thaumatin I and II |
| Sweetness compared with sugar | Around 200–300 times sweeter | Around 2,000–3,000 times sweeter |
| Common use | Home sweetening, drinks, baking, smoothies, desserts | Food manufacturing, flavour modification, reduced-sugar products |
| Taste | Sweet, fruit-derived, concentrated | Very intense, long-lasting, sometimes slightly liquorice-like |
| Everyday practicality | Easier to use as a sugar alternative | Usually used in very tiny amounts in food production |
Although thaumatin is much sweeter on paper, monk fruit is often the more practical choice for people who want a natural sugar alternative at home. Thaumatin’s intensity makes it useful in commercial formulations, but it can be harder to measure and balance in everyday cooking.
Is monk fruit better than thaumatin?
This depends on what you are using both for. Thaumatin is extremely powerful and useful in food manufacturing, especially with products that want to enhance flavour or reduce bitterness. But for everyday use, monk fruit is a strong choice for people wanting a simple, low-calorie sugar alternative, as a small amount can go a long way.
Thaumatin side effects
For the majority of people, thaumatin sweetener is considered safe when used within permitted food levels. But since thaumatin is a protein, people with particular sensitivities or allergies may prefer to be cautious. As with any sweetener and food, it’s always worth checking the ingredients list.
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