Sarah Ryan

Switchel, also known as Haymaker's Punch, is a traditional beverage with origins dating back to the 17th century. Unlike kombucha, which is fermented, switchel is crafted by combining maple syrup, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger root, blackstrap molasses, and water. Simple! This refreshing concoction was a favorite among colonial farmers and earned the nickname 'nature's gatorade.' It offers countless recipe [...]

Sucralose and sugar are both sweeteners used in food, but they have fundamental differences. Sugar, or sucrose, is a natural carbohydrate comprised of glucose and fructose. It is extracted from sugar cane or sugar beet. On the other hand, sucralose is an artificial sweetener and sugar substitute. It is noncaloric because the body does not break it down when ingested. In the European Union, sucralose is identified by the E [...]

Maltose and sugar are both types of carbohydrates that provide sweetness when used in food. While they share some similarities, such as being soluble and sweet-tasting, they differ in their structure and sources. When comparing maltose to sugar, one notable difference is their composition. While sugar consists of glucose and fructose, maltose is composed solely of glucose molecules. Due to its specific structure, maltose [...]

Neotame, sometimes marketed as Newtame, is an artificial sweetener and aspartame analog developed by NutraSweet. It is a non-caloric sweetener that is approximately 8000 times sweeter than sucrose. You heard right. 8000.  Sugar, on the other hand, is a natural product found in various foods. It comprises simple sugars like glucose and fructose. Sucrose is what is commonly known as table sugar and is extracted from [...]

Water kefir and Kombucha are both fermented drinks, meaning they're made by adding particular types of bacteria and yeast to liquids and letting them do their thing. The bacteria and yeast feed on the sugars, which causes fermentation. This fermentation changes the taste and texture of the drink. Kombucha may be the more popular of the two, but is it the best option? Let’s compare.  Comparing Water Kefir vs [...]

Monk fruit, also known as lo han guo or Swingle fruit, is the source of a no-calorie alternative to sugar. The most commonly used sugar, sucrose, is composed of glucose and fructose and is typically extracted from sugar cane. Unlike monk fruit sweetener, sugar contains calories and can contribute to weight gain and other health issues if consumed excessively. Manufacturers of monk fruit sweetener tout that it can lower [...]