This Sweetener is a Natural Sugar

Natural sugars are found naturally in foods such as fruit (fructose), milk (lactose), and some vegetables. BochaSweet is made from an extract of the kabocha (Cucurbita maxima), a Japanese pumpkin-like squash that has been cultivated for centuries and is prized for its naturally sweet flesh. The extraction process isolates the specific pentose sugars responsible for the squash’s sweetness.

It’s a Monosaccharide

Monosaccharides, also called simple sugars, are the simplest form of sugar and the most basic units of carbohydrates. They are classified by the number of carbon atoms they contain: triose (3), tetrose (4), pentose (5), hexose (6), heptose (7), and so on. The most important monosaccharide, glucose, is a hexose. The pentose content found in the kabocha is what is responsible for its sweet taste. Five-carbon sugars (pentoses) follow different metabolic pathways than six-carbon sugars and do not spike blood sugar levels.

Inside and Out

BochaSweet has the same taste as table sugar with no artificial aftertaste. Pentose sugars aren’t efficiently absorbed in the small intestine and contribute no net calories or carbohydrates or impacts on blood sugar levels. Kabocha’s pentose can be metabolized by certain gut bacteria for energy without the need for insulin, making it suitable for diabetics and those following ketogenic diets. Depending on the health of your gut microbiome, BochaSweet may cause mild gastrointestinal stress in some individuals, similar to other low-calorie sweeteners.

Put it to Good Use

BochaSweet tastes like cane sugar, with a smooth mouthfeel and no bitter aftertaste. It’s 100% as sweet as cane sugar. You can use it at a 1:1 ratio in everything you would normally use cane sugar. BochaSweet doesn’t caramelize like regular sugar; it’s great for baking and making creamy textured custards and ice creams.