Monk Fruit: A Sweet Superfood
Monk fruit is magic to our taste buds. It’s the superfood we can swap into our favorite holiday recipes to lower the sugar without affecting the taste.
Now if it sounds too good to be true, keep reading! It only gets better :)
Monk fruit is a small, round fruit native to China. It goes by other names such as “Luo Han Guo” or “Buddha Fruit,” and it’s been used for centuries in Eastern Medicine as a home remedy. From relieving sore throats to treating constipation, this special little fruit is a real-life superhero!
But as much as we love a good home remedy (especially for upset tummies), it’s monk fruit’s sweet taste that we’re really crazy about.
Here’s a few of our favorite facts about monk fruit:
1) Monk fruit is about 200x sweeter than sugar
This is a good thing! The sweeter the fruit, the less we use for the same effect.
2) Monk Fruit contains no calories 
Because monk fruit is so sweet, we only need a teensy amount. And less fruit = less carbs and calories.
3) Monk fruit has no aftertaste
If you’ve been on the hunt for a natural sugar alternative, you’ve no doubt heard of stevia. But the aftertaste isn’t fooling your kiddos! And here’s where monk fruit really shines. Because monk fruit has no aftertaste, you’ll be able to swap it in your recipes without the pickiest of eaters noticing.
4) Monk fruit is a natural sweetener
We’ve all heard of those artificial sweeteners – sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin to name a few. But as of now, we really don’t know the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners. However, with monk fruit, we don’t have to take that gamble – it’s derived naturally from dried fruit!
5) Monk fruit won’t raise blood sugar
Drastic spikes in blood sugar are the cause of all sorts of trouble. From heart problems and diabetes to headaches and exhaustion, blood sugar spikes are not our friend – especially during the holidays. But lucky for us, monk fruit won’t cause those same troubles, making it a healthier alternative for all of us, including our diabetic family and friends!
Forms of Monk Fruit
Since monk fruit is an actual fruit, we can’t swap it easily into our recipes. At least not in its natural state. That’s why there are multiple forms of monk fruit to help us get all the amazing benefits and yummy taste.
- Granulated
- Powder
- Liquid
Monk fruit in its granule form is a favorite for baking. It looks just like sugar and it’s a simple 1:1 ratio. No need for measurements or calculations! You can also use granulated monk fruit in any recipe. So whether you’re setting up a hot cocoa bar for movie night or making homemade icing for your gingerbread houses, granulated is the way to go!
The powder form of monk fruit will require conversions, but is still a great alternative. Where granulated monk fruit requires an additional ingredient, usually erythritol, to give its sugar-like form, monk fruit powder does not. However, remember that monk fruit is much sweeter than sugar, so keep that in mind when substituting.
Liquid monk fruit is similar to powder in that you’ll need conversions. But still a great option in your holiday recipes.
Here’s to Happy, Healthy Baking!
There’s nothing like celebrating the holidays with your little ones and baking up the delicious treats they love! With a simple substitution in all your favorite recipes, you can enjoy the holidays without the guilt.