Sweeteners · 7 min read
Monk fruit sweetener: what it is and why it’s so sweet
Where it comes from, why it’s so sweet, its FDA status, and how we use it.
By the Romeé teamUpdated 4 sources
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The quick version
- Monk fruit sweetener comes from Siraitia grosvenorii, a plant native to southern China. Its extract is 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar.
- The FDA has not questioned the GRAS notices it received for monk fruit extract under their intended uses.
- Some tabletop “monk fruit” products are blends. Romeé contains no erythritol and no artificial sweeteners.
- Romeé pairs organic monk fruit extract with organic agave, for 4 g of added sugar per can.
The short answer
Monk fruit sweetener comes from the fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii, also called luo han guo, a plant native to southern China. Extracts of the fruit are 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar.[1]
In the US, the FDA has received GRAS notices for monk fruit extract and has not questioned them.[1]
What monk fruit sweetener is
The sweetness comes from natural compounds in the fruit called mogrosides.[1] Because the extract is so intense, a tiny amount does the work of a lot of sugar.
That intensity is also why many tabletop products sold as monk fruit sweetener are blends. Ingredients are listed in order of weight, so if erythritol or sugar comes first, that’s mostly what’s in the bag. Romeé contains no erythritol or other sugar alcohols.
Is monk fruit safe?
GRAS stands for “generally recognized as safe,” a category in US food law.[2] Companies can notify the FDA of their conclusion that an ingredient is GRAS for a specific use. For monk fruit extract, the FDA says it “has not questioned the notifiers’ GRAS conclusions” under the intended conditions of use.[1]
Monk fruit vs other sweeteners
| Sweetener | Sweetness vs table sugar | In Romeé? |
|---|---|---|
| Monk fruit extract | 100 to 250 times | Yes, organic |
| Steviol glycosides (stevia) | 200 to 400 times | No |
| Aspartame | 200 times | No |
| Acesulfame potassium | 200 times | No |
| Sucralose | 600 times | No |
| Agave syrup | A sugar, counted as added sugar | Yes, organic |
Stevia and monk fruit are the two plant-derived options. The FDA describes steviol glycosides as natural constituents of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana.[1] Between the two, preference mostly comes down to taste.
Why we use monk fruit and agave
We wanted real sweetness without artificial sweeteners and without a sugary can. Monk fruit extract adds sweetness without adding sugar. Organic agave syrup, which counts as added sugar,[3] rounds out the taste. Each can has 4 to 5 g of total sugar, including 4 g of added sugar, which is 8% of the Daily Value.[4]
For the rest of the label, see what makes an energy drink clean.
From Romeé
Sweetened only with organic agave and organic monk fruit extract. 4 g of added sugar, no artificial sweeteners.
Pre-order now. Orders ship once our first production run is in hand, ahead of our Fall 2026 launch.
Frequently asked questions
What is monk fruit sweetener?
A sweetener made from the fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii, also called luo han guo, a plant native to southern China. The FDA says monk fruit extract is 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar.
Is monk fruit safe?
In the US, the FDA has not questioned the GRAS notices it received for monk fruit extract under their intended uses.
Is monk fruit better than stevia?
Both are plant-derived sweeteners that the FDA has not questioned under their intended uses. The FDA lists monk fruit extract at 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar and steviol glycosides at 200 to 400 times. Which you prefer mostly comes down to taste.
Does Romeé contain erythritol?
No. Romeé is sweetened only with organic agave syrup and organic monk fruit extract. It contains no erythritol, no other sugar alcohols, and no artificial sweeteners.
How much sugar is in Romeé?
Each can has 4 to 5 g of total sugar, including 4 g of added sugar (8% of the Daily Value), and 25 to 30 calories depending on the flavor.
Sources
- 1.Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Content current as of 02/27/2025. Regulator
- 2.Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Regulator
- 3.Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Content current as of 03/04/2026. Regulator
- 4.Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Content current as of 03/05/2024. Regulator
This article is for general education. It is not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, sensitive to caffeine, or managing a health condition, talk to your doctor.