equal® spoonful**
Contains zero grams of sugar and negligible calories (approximately 0-2 calories per serving), with no glycemic impact; suitable for diabetic and calorie-restricted diets. Contains aspartame, which individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid.
About
Equal® Spoonful is a branded tabletop sweetener produced by Merisant Company, consisting of a blend of aspartame, maltodextrin, and dextrose. Aspartame, the primary active ingredient, is a methyl ester of a dipeptide composed of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, approved as a food additive in numerous countries since 1981. The product is designed to provide sweetness equivalent to granulated sugar with reduced calories and negligible glycemic impact. Maltodextrin and dextrose are added as bulking agents to approximate the volume and texture of sugar, compensating for aspartame's high potency (approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose by weight).
Culinary Uses
Equal® Spoonful is primarily used as a direct sugar substitute in beverages (coffee, tea, cold drinks) and as a tabletop sweetener. It dissolves readily in hot and cold liquids without leaving crystalline residue. While suitable for some baking and cooking applications, performance in these contexts is variable due to aspartame's heat sensitivity and the bulking agents' different functional properties compared to sugar. The product is commonly used by consumers managing caloric intake, blood glucose levels, or following ketogenic diets. It is not recommended for high-heat baking or prolonged cooking applications where structural properties of sugar (caramelization, browning, moisture retention) are essential.