What is Swerve?
Swerve is a Brand Name for an artificial sweetener made in the United States. It tastes and acts like sugar without any unpleasant after taste.
Swerve is a combination of erythritol and oligosaccharides.
The first component of Swerve is Erythritol which has been classified by the FDA as a zero-calorie,sugar alcohol that does not affect blood glucose. This is really great news for Diabetics who have to be very careful about artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, that DO spike their blood sugars.
The second component of Swerve is Oligosaccharides, which are prebiotic fibers, that are tasty, and help stimulate beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Both erythritol and oligosaccharides are derived from fruits and vegetables … and the manufacturer guarantees none of the products are sourced from China.
If you have problems with the aftertaste of Stevia, Swerve is an excellent choice. Reviewers constantly comment on the fact that it does taste like sugar and doesn’t have an aftertaste.
How To Use Swerve
You can use Swerve exactly the same way you use sugar … to sweeten your coffee or tea, and in baking and cooking. There is no match involved … use it spoon for spoon, or cup for cup when making your usual recipes.
The really nice thing about Swerve that is missing in most of the other sugar substitutes is the fact that it browns. So yes your muffins and cakes will turn out nicely browned just the way you are used to. It also caramelizes both in sauces, on your Creme Brule!
The Downside?
Though the ingredients in Sweve have been passed by the FDA, they don’t have the same history as some of the other artificial sweeteners, especially Stevia with its thousands of years of use.
As with any artificial sweetener how YOU react to the sweetener and what it tastes like to you are a combination of your history (years of eating sugar) and your taste buds (genetics). Though in the Amazon reviews, the majority of reviewers loved Swerve, there were those who thought it tasted like a chemical soup — disgusting. The bottom line on taste is that you have to try it for yourself.
Personally I liked it and will use it for some of my “company” baking and much missed sweet caramelized sauces and fruit sauces. However I also like Stevia and it is hard to beat the cost effectiveness of bulk Stevia.
How To Buy Swerve
Amazon has the full selection of Swerve products … and in fact the Swerve website sends you to Amazon for bulk buys. If you want to buy at a local retailer, the Swerve company website has a store locator.
Swerve Granular Sweetener (48 oz): The Ultimate Sugar Replacement
Swerve Confectioners Sweetener (48 oz + Spatula): The Ultimate Sugar Replacement
Hi Melanie! Thank you for the write up! I am commenting on behalf of Swerve and we just want to say thanks for your support. We also would like to clarify that Swerve is not an artificial sweetener, but it is a natural sweetener. Erythritol is made simply by fermenting sugar, and it occurs in nature in melons, grapes, wine, and other foods. Thanks again for featuring us!
You are welcome! I was happy to find out about Swerve and to see your dedication to manufacturing QUALITY and product sourcing. And thanks for your info on artificial vs natural. ~Melanie