Thaumatin is a potent natural sweetener which is isolated from the katemfe, the fruit of the West African plant Thaumatococcus daniellii. The Katemfe fruit contains 1-3 black seeds surrounded by a gel and capped with a membranous sac, the aril, which contains the ‘sweet protein’ Thaumatin.
It is a low-calorie sweetener and flavour modifier which is 2,000 sweeter than regular sugar, and 7 times sweeter than Stevia.
When used in very tiny amounts it brings out the flavours in foods. It is heat stable and so is suitable for cooking and for processed foods.
