Lakanto, the Start of an International Alternative to Sugar

Lakanto, SARAYA’s natural, zero-calorie sweetener made by combining monk fruit extract and corn-derived erythritol, is now available in many parts of the world. It has gained popularity not only among users due to its health benefits but also chefs and culinary experts who trust us due to our original manufacturing methods, which focus on quality and safety without sacrificing sweetness. But how did Lakanto start its international expansion?

Starting to read the label in America

With an increased awareness of healthy eating habits in American society over the last decades, key concepts such as natural, organic, sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, low-calorie, etc., have become more and more common in everyday vocabulary. Eating healthy has gained value over time, and after an initial focus on fat-reducing diets, diets like ketogenic, diabetic, candida, paleo, vegan, low-sugar, non-GMO, and all-natural diets have shifted it to reducing sugar, the main cause of many unhealthy lifestyles. This is how Lakanto, as a sugar substitute, has become a success in the American market.

Lakanto started operating in the United States in 2015, but its “real” introduction didn’t occur until 2016, with its participation at the Natural Products Expo, the world’s largest industrial exhibition, held in California. At that time, and up to this day, the main products sold were Lakanto Golden and Lakanto Classic; zero-calorie sweeteners with the same sweetness as sugar, containing monk fruit extract and erythritol. 

Lakanto Golden has gained from the monk fruit extract its brown sugar-like color and unique savor. It does not decompose on heating, which makes it apt to use in a wide range of dishes and confectionery. Lakanto Classic, on the other hand, is made almost white by adjusting the purity and proportions of the extract, making it  suitable for coffee, tea, and other beverages, as well as for baking cakes and pastries. Lakanto sweeteners, and Lakanto products in general, contain no sugar or other additives like extra sweeteners, colorants, bleaching, or genetically modified ingredients.

With the passing of the years, the Lakanto range of products has increased to match the demand for healthy alternatives of sweeteners, chocolates, syrups, baking mixes, cookie mixes, etc., and we are still in the process of growing even more. Retail stores and big chains, such as Costco, are already selling Lakanto, offering healthy alternatives to their customers.

In a society where revising your dietary habits as an answer to pre-existing conditions or the improvement of your general health, has become of utmost importance, Lakanto aims to help you improve your diet in an easy to implement way. Substituting sugar will help you improve your health, even with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or conditions which severity has been highlighted even more due to current spreading infections such as the Covid-19 epidemic.