Monk Fruit
Monk fruit (luo han guo) is a plant-derived sweetener extracted from the luo han guo melon. Its sweetening compounds, mogrosides, are 150 to 250 times sweeter than sugar. Monk fruit has zero calories and a cleaner aftertaste than stevia, which is why it is rising in popularity.
Why It Matters
Monk fruit has caught up to stevia as the preferred natural sweetener for premium protein brands. It mixes cleanly, has very little aftertaste, and is generally well-tolerated. The downside is cost: monk fruit costs more than stevia, which is why many brands use a blend of the two.
How to Spot It on a Label
Look for monk fruit extract, luo han guo, or mogroside V on the ingredient list. Premium plant-protein brands like Ascent, Orgain Organic and KOS use monk fruit. Some products combine monk fruit with stevia or erythritol.
Examples from real products
Related Terms
Keep learning with these closely-linked entries: