FAQ
Xylitol and Erythritol
Ricochet Gums, Mints and Sours
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol – and no, that doesn’t mean there’s alcohol in it. It’s also known as a polyol. Sugar alcohols contain fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates than other sweeteners. Replacing sugar with xylitol can be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight or even to help prevent weight gain.
What does Xylitol taste like?
Xylitol is a white crystalline granule that looks and tastes like sugar. The good news is that it doesn’t have the negative side effects associated with sugar. Xylitol is low calorie, low carb, diabetic safe and we think it’s guilt free!
What’s the nutritional content of Xylitol?
Xylitol has 2.4 calories per gram and is slowly absorbed as a complex carbohydrate. In comparison, sugar has 3.75 calories per gram.
Where does Emerald Forest Sugar come from?
Emerald Forest Sugar currently offers Xylitol, which is extracted from U.S.-grown hardwood trees, and it's delicious. We believe the practices employed in the harvesting and processing of our xylitol are ecologically sustainable. Xylitol is also naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables. Did you know the human body makes about 15 grams of xylitol per day?
Does Emerald Forest Sugar make Xylitol from birch trees?
The current process extracts xylan from corncobs or hardwood trees such as birch or maple. Currently, we use birch trees grown and processed here in the United States.
Why are we just hearing about Xylitol?
During World War II, Finland was suffering from a sugar shortage and with no domestic supply of sugar they searched for, and rediscovered, an alternative – xylitol. It was only when xylitol was stabilized that it became a viable sweetener in food. Researchers also discovered xylitol’s insulin-independent nature (it metabolizes in the body without using insulin). Xylitol is the sweetener of choice in European countries and we’re just catching up in the United States. Today, about 80% of chewing gum sold in Asian countries contains xylitol.
How is Xylitol made?
The xylan molecule is extracted from hardwood trees through an all-natural process utilizing steam and ion exchange. Then, it's crystallized and voila! - Emerald Forest all natural xylitol is ready for your coffee, tea, cereal, and all those delicious baked goods you wish you could eat but have been avoiding because of high calories.
What is Erythritol?
Erythritol is a delicious, guilt-free sweetener! It can be manufactured from starches or extracted from plants. It’s also naturally occurring in some fruits and vegetables. Emerald Forest Sugar’s Erythritol is made from cane sugar which is naturally fermented and crystallized to create erythritol. It’s also a sugar alcohol and has the same health and dental benefits as xylitol. Erythritol is unique among sugar alcohols as 90% of it is absorbed – but not metabolized – in the small intestine and then eliminated through normal bodily functions. As a result, it has the highest digestive tolerance of all sugar alcohols. It has zero calories and is low carb. It’s also safe for diabetics as it has a glycemic index of zero and won’t raise blood sugar or affect insulin levels. Erythritol, like xylitol, is also non-allergenic. It’s also approved as a food additive by the FDA.
What’s the difference between Xylitol and Erythritol?
Xylitol is as sweet as sugar, Erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar. Xylitol is seven on the glycemic index, erythritol is zero. Xylitol has 2.4 calories per teaspoon and erythritol has .2 calories per teaspoon. Excessive use of xylitol can cause mild digestive discomfort while erythritol has the highest digestive tolerance of all sugar alcohols.
Why don’t your products have clever names?
Emerald Forest Sugar calls xylitol what it is – xylitol. Erythritol is called erythritol. We don’t think there’s any need to put a fancy name on the package to sell it. It is what it is.
How do your products compare to your competitors?
Emerald Forest Sugar chooses to use 100% pure crystalline granules with no added ingredients. We’ve surveyed other products and find that some companies add what we consider to be unnecessary ingredients. Check the ingredient label and you might find natural flavors (what are they exactly?), sugar, or silica dioxide (which is a flowing agent). We feel these added ingredients dilute the purity of xylitol and erythritol products.
How do your prices compare to your competitors?
Gram for gram, Emerald Forest Sugar has the best price on the market. We offer a 100-ct box of 4-gram packets of xylitol or erythritol for an average retail price of $7.99. That equates to a cost of .019¢ per gram. How can you beat that? One company sells a 35-ct. box of 5-gram packets for $9.59 (or .054¢ per gram). You don’t have to be a math major to know Emerald Forest Sugar will save you money.
How do I use Emerald Forest’s all natural sweeteners?
Emerald Forest Sugar’s Xylitol and Erythritol can be used one to one in any recipe requiring sugar. Erythritol is not quite as sweet as sugar so you may want to add a bit more. Both are ideal for sweetening coffee, tea, cereal or using in homemade, salad dressing, sauces, and dips.
How do I bake with Xylitol and Erythritol?
Emerald Forest Sugar’s Xylitol and Erythritol can be used one to one in any recipe requiring sugar. Erythritol is not quite as sweet as sugar so you may want to add a bit more. Sugar alcohols do not react with yeast so they won’t help bread rise.
Xylitol and erythritol don’t caramelize when baking so finished baked goods may seem dryer. An easy solution is to add more liquid, lecithin, butter, or even xanthan gum to the recipe to retain moisture. Xanthan gum will keep sugar alcohols from crystallizing so we suggest sifting xanthan gum with xylitol or erythritol prior to adding liquid ingredients. Solid chocolates and some recipes that are exposed to air for long periods such as jams or jellies will also show signs of re-crystallizing.
If a recipe calls for powdered sugar (i.e., frosting), place dry xylitol or erythritol in a blender or food processor and pulse until it’s a fine powder. You can also add corn starch, tapioca powder, arrowroot or a touch of guar gum to powdered xylitol or erythritol and blend it all together. Use two parts by weight of powder to one part of shortening or butter for frosting.
To substitute for one cup of brown sugar, use ¼ cup molasses and ¾ xylitol or erythritol.
Are Emerald Forest’s all natural sweeteners allergen-free?
Yes! Xylitol and erythritol are non-allergenic; the likelihood of an adverse reaction is less than one in a million. Erythritol is made from sugar so there's no allergy issue there. As well, the process of extracting xylitol from its source eliminates the possibility of allergic reactions from plant materials. Think of distilled water: whether it begins with water from the ocean, lake, or river, once the water is distilled the finished product is pure water. Its origin has no bearing on the end product. It's the same with Xylitol: once xylan is extracted from its source - just like distilled water - it has no connection to its original source. In addition, the body produces up to 15 grams of xylitol per day, which means we have a natural tolerance to xylitol.
How do Xylitol and Erythritol affect diabetics?
Xylitol and erythritol are known to be diabetic safe. They are both natural insulin stabilizers; therefore, they don’t cause a spike in blood sugar and actually help reduce sugar and carbohydrate cravings. Xylitol is seven on the glycemic index and erythritol is zero; sugar is 68. Please visit www.diabetes.org for more information on diabetes.
What is the glycemic index and why is it important?
The glycemic index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates on their rate of glycemic response or how quickly they convert to glucose in the body. The higher the number, the more quickly the carbohydrate breaks down thus causing a spike in blood sugar. For more information, please visit www.glycemicindex.com
Why use Xylitol and Erythritol?
They taste great! Xylitol is as sweet as sugar and erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar. They have fewer calories than foods made with sugar or other caloric sweeteners. That can be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight or even to help prevent weight gain. They also have fewer carbohydrates which can be helpful in managing blood glucose levels; check the label to be sure. Some sugar alcohols can have a mild laxative effect when consumed in excess. Erythritol, however, has the highest digestive tolerance of all sugar alcohols.
Why does my dentist suggest I use products sweetened with Xylitol?
Testing confirms that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth which is why we use it in our Ricochet-brand Gums, Mints, Fruit Sours, and Coffee Shots. Classified as a sugar alcohol, it differs from sugar because most sugar alcohols are unable to metabolize oral bacteria and they also inhibit plaque formation. Xylitol doesn’t ferment so it can’t produce acid. Maintaining a neutral pH level in the mouth is necessary as an alkaline environment is inhospitable to destructive bacteria, especially streptococcus mutans. Research has proven that regular use of xylitol helps re-mineralize damaged tooth enamel and inhibits demineralization of healthy tooth enamel. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association reports that "Xylitol is an effective preventive agent against dental caries." Catherine Hayes, D.M.D., D.M.Sc at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine concluded that "Xylitol can significantly decrease the incidence of dental caries.” Xylitol is also great for dry mouth because it stimulates salivary flow which makes the pH of the mouth more alkaline.
How much Xylitol can be consumed in a day?
Research shows that 6-7 grams of xylitol per day provides maximum protection against tooth decay. So enjoy a piece of gum or two after snacks or meals.
Has Xylitol been approved by the Food and Drug Administration?
Xylitol was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1963 to be used in food. It’s also endorsed by the World Health Organization’s Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the European Union’s Scientific Committee for Food, and a host of other well-known and well-respected organizations.
Are there any side effects to using Xylitol or Erythritol?
Excessive use of xylitol can cause mild digestive discomfort while erythritol has the highest digestive tolerance of all sugar alcohols. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that xylitol is non-toxic for humans.
Is Xylitol safe for pets?
No. Do not give xylitol to pets, because if they ingest xylitol they run the risk of going into hypoglycemic shock. Chocolate is a good example of a food that’s safe for you, but bad for your pets. Pet owners know not to give ‘people-food’ to pets for any reason as their bodies just can’t handle it. Emerald Forest Sugar, Inc. is not qualified to give pet owners veterinary advice. If your pet accidentally ingests any xylitol, immediately call your veterinarian.
Tell me more about your Ricochet products? Do you make them?
Ricochet is a brand of Emerald Forest Sugar and is the name we use on all of our xylitol-sweetened Ricochet Mints, Fruit Sours, Gums and Coffee Shots. Yes, we make them ourselves at our manufacturing plant in Broomfield, Colorado. Ricochet products are an excellent way to incorporate the myriad health and dental benefits available from xylitol-sweetened products in a tasty, convenient way. Emerald Forest Ricochet Mints, Fruit Sours and Coffee Shots are attractively packaged in unique decorator tins and Ricochet Gum is available in a 12-ct. blister pack or a 100-ct. jar.
What is Ricochet Gum made with?
Ricochet Gum is made by Emerald Forest Sugar. Ricochet Gum contains more than 50% xylitol in every piece. According to the California Dental Association extensive clinical studies have shown that chewing xylitol-sweetened gum stimulates ten times the normal rate of saliva flow – washing away food particles and neutralizing the acid in the mouth. Emerald Forest Sugar Ricochet products contain xylitol blended with gum base, natural oils, natural colors, and powder of conch to produce one of our four delicious all natural flavors.
Why do you use powder of conch in your gum?
Conch shell is a natural source of calcium. Xylitol naturally increases calcium absorption in the body by 25%. Using a natural calcium source will synergistically help fight osteoporosis. Many gum manufacturers use titanium dioxide as a texturizing and whitening agent. Emerald Forest Sugar doesn’t use titanium dioxide because we don’t feel there’s adequate research showing the long-term side effects of using it on a regular basis.
What are Ricochet Mints made with?
Ricochet Mints are made by Emerald Forest Sugar. They contain 96% xylitol blended with all natural flavors and colors.
What are Ricochet Fruit Sours made with?
Ricochet Fruit Sours are made by Emerald Forest Sugar. They contain 96% xylitol blended with all natural flavors and colors.
What are Ricochet Coffee Shots made with?
Ricochet Coffee Shots are made by Emerald Forest Sugar. They contain over 50% xylitol blended with premium ground caffeinated coffee, milk powder, soy powder, and fiber. Coffee can be hard on the stomach due to its high acidic content. Xylitol is alkaline by nature and will neutralize that acid. Our unique patented process yields a distinctive, full-flavored blast of coffee in pastille form. Indulge in a few of our stimulating, travel-sized Coffee Pastilles when you’re on the run.
What is Stevia and does Emerald Forest make any products with Stevia?
Emerald Forest Sugar doesn’t make any products with stevia. Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and bushes in the sunflower family, and it’s commonly native to South America and Central America.
How does Emerald Forest Xylitol and Erythritol compare to Stevia?
Emerald Forest Xylitol and Erythritol taste like sugar – cane sugar, that is. Many people find that stevia has a bitter aftertaste and may leave an undesirable odor when used. Stevia is also challenging to bake with as all recipes must be adjusted to obtain a consistent flavor. Xylitol and erythritol can be used 1:1 in place of sugar, pure stevia leaf is 10-15 times sweeter than sugar and refined extracts of stevia claim to be 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar.
