-equal ½ c plus 2 ½ tb

Equal (also marketed as aspartame) is a high-intensity artificial sweetener composed primarily of aspartame, a methyl ester of the dipeptide L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine. Aspartame was discovered in 1965 and approved for use in various food and beverage applications by regulatory bodies worldwide. Equal is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) by weight, allowing for dramatic caloric reduction in sweetened foods and beverages. The product is typically sold in powder or tablet form and is heat-labile, meaning it breaks down when exposed to prolonged high temperatures, making it unsuitable for baking applications requiring extended cooking times. Equal contains negligible calories and does not raise blood glucose levels, distinguishing it from nutritive sweeteners.

Equal is primarily used as a sugar substitute in beverages, including coffee, tea, and cold drinks, where minimal heat exposure occurs. It is also used in no-sugar or reduced-calorie versions of yogurt, puddings, gelatins, and other dairy-based desserts. The ingredient is suitable for sweetening cold preparations, no-bake desserts, and beverages, but is not recommended for baking, cooking, or applications requiring sustained high temperatures due to aspartame's thermal instability. It finds particular utility in diabetic-friendly and calorie-restricted diets. Common applications include instant beverages, tabletop sweetening, and pharmaceutical preparations.