unsweetened

Unsweetened describes foods and drinks that do not contain added sugars or sweeteners. It may still contain naturally occurring sugars from the ingredients themselves, such as lactose in dairy or fructose in fruit, but no additional sugar or artificial sweeteners have been added during processing.

Common examples include unsweetened beverages (tea, coffee, plant milks), unsweetened yogurt or yogurt alternatives, unsweetened cocoa powder, and many cereals or sauces labeled unsweetened. The term is also used for foods like unsweetened applesauce, unsweetened oatmeal, and unsweetened canned vegetables.

In food labeling, unsweetened signals the absence of added sugar. It differs from sugar-free, which generally implies very low sugar content and can include non-nutritive sweeteners, and from no added sugar, which means no sugar or sugar-containing ingredients were added during processing, though the product may contain natural sugars.

Nutritionally, unsweetened products typically have fewer calories from added sugars and can help manage glycemic response. They often have a more bitter or tart taste compared with their sweetened counterparts, which affects culinary use. Unsweetened ingredients are commonly used to control sweetness in recipes or to achieve a specific flavor balance.

The use and interpretation of the term vary by country and regulatory framework, but it generally indicates that no sugars or sweeteners were added during processing, while natural sugars may still be present.