HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You’ll find answers to several of the questions we receive on a regular basis here, but if you’re wondering about something else, just drop us a line.
What is Swerve Sweetener?
Swerve is a delicious sweetener that measures cup-for-cup just like sugar! Swerve is made from ingredients found in select fruits and starchy root vegetables, and contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives or flavors. It’s zero-calorie, non-glycemic and safe for those living with diabetes, since it has no effect on blood glucose or insulin levels. Swerve provides excellent baking and cooking functionality - it can even brown and caramelize!
Where Can I find Swerve?
You can find Swerve in many grocery stores across the USA and Canada! Check out our store locator to find the closest retailer to you. We are also available on Amazon.
I don’t live in the United States or Canada. Can I still get Swerve?
Yes! You can order Swerve from iherb.com, vitacost.com, or luckyvitamin.com
Is Swerve new? How long has it been around?
We’ve been around since 2001, it just took us a while to make our way across the U.S. from our home base of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Is Swerve Kosher?
Yes, Swerve is certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union.
My Swerve has gotten hard and chunky. What should I do?
Swerve can be sensitive to environmental heat and humidity. We always recommend that it be stored in a cool, dry place like a refrigerator or freezer. If you find that yours has started clumping, moving it to the freezer can reverse the moisture’s effect. If you are looking for a faster way to de-clump your Swerve, you can always put it in the food processor or in the microwave for 30 seconds.
What are the ingredients in Swerve?
Swerve is a blend of three ingredients. Erythritol is the first and most prominent ingredient, and is naturally made by fermenting glucose. Prebiotic fibers called oligosaccharides are then added to our blend, and then enhanced with some natural flavor from citrus. To learn more about our ingredients and production method, check out this infographic.
Does Swerve contain stevia or lo han guo (monk fruit)?
No. These high-intensity sweeteners aren’t ideal for baking and cooking. Swerve offers equal sweetness to sugar and is perfect for use in everyday recipes.
Are Swerve products non-GMO?
Non-GMO on our label means that the product does not require a bioengineered food disclosure per USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulation. This is the case for foods in which modified genetic material is not detectable.
Does Swerve contain MSG (monosodium glutamate)?
Swerve does not contain MSG or any other glutamate derivatives. The natural flavors in Swerve are derived from natural food sources. For those concerned about MSG being labeled as a “natural” flavor, rest assured that there’s no MSG in Swerve.
What fruits and vegetables do the ingredients in Swerve come from?
The main ingredient used in Swerve utilizes glucose from Non-GMO corn for the fermentation process that ultimately yields erythritol. The oligosaccharides in Swerve are sourced from starchy root vegetables.
Is Swerve Vegan?
Yes! Swerve does not contain any animal products. All of the ingredients are plant-based.
Is Swerve known to cause allergic reactions?
Swerve is considered non-allergenic. It does not contain any of the common 8 food allergies such as: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, or soy. For more on Swerve and allergens, watch this video!
Is Swerve safe for people with diabetes?
In short, yes! For all the details, check out our Swerve + Diabetes page. For more about Swerve and carbohydrates, watch this video!
How can Swerve be zero calorie and contain carbohydrates?
The carbohydrates in Swerve come from the erythritol and oligosaccharides. Erythritol is somewhat of an anomaly in the carbohydrate world, since it only contributes 0.2 calories per gram. Erythritol is absorbed in the small intestine and then 90% is eliminated by the body, so it’s never metabolized. Basically, we don’t absorb the ingredients in Swerve, so it can’t contribute a significant amount of calories.
Is Swerve safe for dogs and other animals?
Yes, Swerve is completely safe for animals, including dogs. It’s important to note that xylitol, another polyol (sugar alcohol), can be toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Swerve does not contain any xylitol.
Are any harmful chemicals used in the process of making Swerve?
No, there are no chemicals used in the process of making Swerve and no chemicals in Swerve itself.
Does Swerve cause tummy issues, like gas, bloating, and diarrhea?
Sugar alcohols have a bad reputation of causing digestive issues, but Erythritol is different. Erythritol is rapidly absorbed, with very little making its way to the large intestine before it is excreted. For this reason, it’s less likely—compared to other sugar alcohols like xylitol and maltitol—to cause gastrointestinal distress. (Not the nicest topic, we know, but we’re glad to be on the right side of it.) This study demonstrates that Erythritol is well tolerated at amounts up to 1g/kg body weight per day. Watch this video to learn more about Erythritol!
Is Swerve good for your teeth? Does Swerve stop tooth decay like xylitol does?
Swerve is made up predominately of erythritol. Recent studies have shown that erythritol is superior to xylitol in its ability to inhibit growth of several strains of mutans streptococci, which causes tooth decay.
Are there still zero calories in a cup of Swerve?
There are 44 total calories in a cup of Granular Swerve. That means that one pound of Swerve would have just 88 calories, compared to 1546 calories in a pound of sugar. One cup of Confectioners Swerve contains 28 calories, and one cup of Brown Swerve contains 71 calories. (Per FDA labeling requirements, Swerve can be considered zero calorie because it contains less than 5 calories per labeled serving.)
Why did TSA confiscate my bag of Swerve?!
TSA now checks for powders and other granular items when you go through security. If you are traveling with a bag of Swerve, our suggestion is to check your luggage to avoid potential additional security checks.
How many cups of Swerve are in a 12oz. and 48oz. bag?
Swerve, Granular
- A 12 oz (340 g) bag contains approximately 1 ½ cups of Swerve.
- A 48 oz (1362 g) bag contains approximately 6 cups of Swerve.
Swerve, Confectioners
- A 12 oz (340 g) bag contains approximately 2 ½ cups of Swerve.
- A 48 oz (1362 g) bag contains approximately 10 cups of Swerve.
Swerve, Brown
- A 12 oz (340 g) bag contains approximately 2 cups of Swerve.
How much does 1 cup of Swerve weigh?
1 cup of Swerve, Granular weighs 7 oz (200 g). 1 cup of Swerve, Confectioners weighs 4.5 oz (125 g). 1 cup of Swerve, Brown (packed) weighs 7 oz (200 g).
How does Swerve measure compared to sugar?
Swerve measures just like sugar. There are no conversion charts needed when baking and cooking with Swerve. If your recipe calls for half a cup of sugar, you simply replace it with half a cup of Swerve.
I get a crunchy/gritty texture in my dessert made with Swerve. What happened?
Erythritol, the main ingredient in Swerve, can have the tendency to recrystallize back to its granulated texture when exposed to colder temperatures. If you want a smooth, creamy texture, Swerve, Confectioners style is the best option. We developed this video that helps to explain when to use Confectioners. You can also eat the dessert the same day it was made, before it has the chance to recrystallize.
Why do I sometimes experience a cooling effect with Swerve?
We recognize that every once in a while you may experience a “cooling effect” or feel like you chewed a piece of minty gum when consuming Swerve. Here is the reason why: sugar alcohols, like erythritol, require more energy than other food and drinks to be dissolved in the mouth. They absorb the heat (your body temperature), or energy from their surrounding environment, and decrease the temperature of that environment (your mouth), hence the cooling effect. Here are some tips to minimize this cooling sensation:
- Use enough fat in the recipe. Combining Swerve with ingredients like butter, heavy cream, or oils creates a rich mouthfeel that reduces the cooling effect. A good ratio to start with is 1/2 cup Swerve to 1 cup butter.
- Bake or dissolve Swerve with other recipe ingredients.
- Use the smallest amount of Swerve possible to get to your desired level of sweetness.
- Avoid sprinkling Swerve on top of a baked good or rolling cookies in Swerve.
- Try Swerve in cold-temperature recipes, such as cheesecake, ice creams, or puddings.
Can I use Swerve to can fruits?
Swerve is great for canning fruits. We recommend using Swerve Confectioners for a smooth texture. Keep in mind that if you store it cold, it can recrystallize, so you'll have to warm it back up before serving. Check out our recipe for Strawberry Jam here.
What makes these mixes different than a typical bake mix?
Swerve is proud of the premium ingredients used in all of our products. Ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, and Swerve were used to create a carb conscious treat that can be a solution for many people on different specialized diets.
How much do the bake mixes cost?
The price of the mixes will range from $7.99 in grocery stores to $8.99 on Amazon.
Where can I find the bake mixes?
For now, the best place to find the new products is on Amazon. Select bake mixes are available at the following retailers: Whole Foods, Sprouts, HEB, Hy-Vee, and many more! Check our retail locator to find the products available near you! You can also find all of our products on Amazon.
Are the mixes available in Canada?
Not yet, but we’re working on it! We do not have a timeline just yet, but we will update our Canadian friends as soon as we do!
Are the mixes gluten free?
Yes! All of the mixes are gluten free, grain free, and sweetened with Swerve.
Why did you use tapioca starch in the mixes?
We use tapioca starch in our mixes because it provides us with a favorable texture for these gluten free baked goods. It helps them bind together and give that crisp outer edge and just the right amount of chew.
Why are the mixes labeled ketogenic if they contain tapioca starch?
Many people have proposed guidelines for using the term "ketogenic," but no authority offers an official definition that's widely accepted. So, instead, we depended heavily on consumer research, and we tried to deeply understand ordinary people who tell us they follow a ketogenic lifestyle. We discovered that most ketogenic-enthusiastic consumers limit the number of net carbs they consume, usually adopting between 20 and 50 net daily carbs as their personal limit for achieving ketosis. That's about the same range as the number of net carbs in a single slice of traditional cake. In contrast, Swerve Bake Mixes limit a single serving to a much smaller number of net carbs when compared to traditional sweets, so folks don't have to limit their entire net carb daily allowance to a single treat for the day, offering them much more flexibility when they eat other food. And, yes, we do include a tiny amount of tapioca starch in each box: this works as a terrific functional ingredient allowing consumers to enjoy something that seems very familiar and delicious - but with many fewer net carbs.
What is the net carb count of the mixes?
The net carb counts of our mixes range from 2g net carbs to 11g net carbs. To view the ingredients and nutrition facts of each product, visit our Products page!
How should I prepare my pans for the cakes?
Line the bottom of you cake pan with parchment paper and heavily butter the bottom and sides of the pan for easy removal. Let the cake completely cool in pan before removing. You can use a round 8-inch pan, 8-inch square pan, cupcake, or mini cupcake pan for the cake mixes.
How many cupcakes will I get from the cake mix?
We find that you can get 12-15 cupcakes, or 24-36 mini cupcakes, depending on how much you fill each cupcake cavity.
I've got my cake! How should I frost it?
Grab some Confectioners Swerve and your mixer! We’ve got frosting recipes for you. Just visit our Recipes page and choose the Icings + Frostings filter, then click search.
My chocolate chips melted when I was mixing my dough. What happened?
Make sure the melted butter isn’t too hot, or else your chocolate chips will melt when you mix all of the ingredients. Also, if your mix was delivered in the summer heat, you might need to store the mix in the fridge to make sure the chocolate chips harden and retain their shape!
I like a crispy bottom on my cookies. Any tips?
Let your cookies cool completely on the pan for a crisp bottom.
How should I prepare the dough if I like a flat cookie?
If you want a flatter cookie, gently press the cookie down after adding to the cookie sheet. You can also add an additional tablespoon of butter.
How should I prepare my baking sheet for the chocolate chip cookies?
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy removal.
I like thick, fluffy pancakes. How should I prepare the batter?
Add less liquid and be sure to let the mixture sit for a couple of minutes before cooking.
Why are the net carbs higher in this mix than the others?
For this mix, we are using a combination of almond and tapioca flours for the base. Tapioca starch, also known as tapioca flour, has about the same amount of carbohydrates as regular flour, so the carbohydrate count is higher. Tapioca flour was essential in our pancake and waffle mix to get the texture right, while still allowing the mix to be gluten and grain free.
How many net carbs are in a waffle?
There are 22g net carbs in a waffle, if you use 1/2 cup of the Pancake & Waffle Mix.
My cake seems a little dry. Any tips to prevent this?
Gluten free baked goods can sometimes come out drier than ones with classic ingredients. If you have a powerful oven, start checking your cupcakes at 15 minutes or cake at 20 minutes for done-ness.
What type of oil should I use in the bake mixes?
We recommend using vegetable oil (such as canola or safflower oil), avocado oil, or melted coconut oil. You can also use melted butter for a more rich, dense texture.
Are the mixes vegan?
Yes, all of the ingredients in the mixes are vegan! They do call for eggs and butter, but you can substitute with other ingredients. We recommend the following substitutions for each:
- Chocolate & Vanilla Cake: replace 3 eggs with 3 servings of an egg replacer
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: replace milk with almond/coconut milk, and replace butter with vegan butter or applesauce
- Pancake Waffle Mix: replace egg with an egg replacer, and replace milk with almond/coconut milk
What are the ingredients in Brown Swerve?
Erythritol, prebiotic oligosaccharides, vegetable glycerin, fruit juice concentrate (for color), and natural flavors.
Does Brown Swerve contain sugar or molasses?
Nope! Although some other brown sugar replacements contain sugar or molasses, Brown Swerve does not. See previous FAQ for all ingredients in Brown Swerve.
How many calories and carbs are in Brown Swerve?
Brown Swerve has the same nutrition profile as original Swerve: One teaspoon has 0 calories, 0g sugar, 4g erythritol, and 0g net carbs.
Will Brown Swerve raise my blood sugar?
No, Brown Swerve is non-glycemic and does nor affect blood sugar.
What is vegetable glycerin?
Vegetable glycerin, also called glycerol, is in the sugar alcohol family. It has a mildly sweet taste and a very low glycemic index of 3. We’re using it in Brown Swerve so we can get the same sticky consistency as brown sugar! They type we use is palm based, and not sourced from biodiesel processes or soy.
Does the fruit juice concentrate contain sugar?
No. We are using a highly concentrated unsweetened fruit extract to give Brown Swerve it’s color. This specific technique of extraction was developed in Germany to be low in sugar, and is a natural alternative to caramel color.
What natural flavors are you using?
Brown Swerve contains a natural, plant-based blend from multiple sources to create that perfect molasses flavor!
Where can I find Brown Swerve?
Brown Swerve is available on Amazon. You will be able to find it on Thrive Market and Netrition soon. You can also find Brown Swerve in Fruitful Yield, HyVee, HEB, Central Market, and more retailers coming soon! Check out our store locator to find the nearest retailers to you.
How should I store Brown Swerve?
Brown Swerve should be stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
What took you so long?!
We wanted the Brown Swerve to live up to the high standard of our other sweeteners, and that took time! Two years to develop, to be exact. We hope you think it’s as awesome as we do.