The use of artificial sweeteners has come under the lens and has stirred up controversy. In mid-July, World Health Organisation (WHO) said that consuming large quantities of artificial sweetener aspartame may be carcinogenic. Thus, cola drinks which use aspartame are coming under scrutiny. At this time, the buzz around natural sweeteners has come around in the news again. People are looking for sweetening agents that are not harmful to health. Recently, a US-based start-up named MycoTechnology discovered a natural sweetener derived from a kind of truffle mushroom.
Truffle mushrooms are typically used as a luxury ingredient in European cooking. Now, they may be brought into use as a natural sweetener too! A company dedicated to the research of mushrooms, MycoTechnology has identified the presence of a sweet protein in a special variety of truffles. Known as honey truffles, they are cultivated mostly in Hungary as per a report on greenqueen.hk. The first-of-its-kind discovery has immense potential for sweet-loving audiences. It can deliver an intense, natural sweetness without adding up in the calories department. This makes it the ideal guilt-free replacement for sugar that does not have a harmful impact in the long run. There is also no after-taste as is the case in traditional sweeteners.
Also Read: WHO Issues Warning On Artificial Sweetener Use - All You Need To Know
MycoTechnology has discovered a sweet protein derived from honey truffles that could disrupt the sugar and artificial sweetener markets
The discovery is timely as the artificial sweetener #aspartame has been identified as a possible carcinogen by @WHO.#bioeconomypic.twitter.com/e60QBmDIyF— Eshan Samaranayake (@biotecheshan) July 17, 2023
"Our honey truffle sweetener is derived from a protein, which brings an unprecedented level of excitement as proteins are widely recognized as the future of sweeteners," Alan Hahn, MycoTechnology's CEO, said in a statement. "This breakthrough ushers in a new era of clean label sweeteners, revolutionizing the way we create foods and beverages without relying on traditional sugar or artificial sweeteners," he added.
What did you think of this new natural sweetener discovered by the US company? Tell us in the comments.
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.