I recently bought a large bag of Splenda at Wal-Mart (about $6.50), not the individual packets, just a big bag of loose granular Splenda. Well, I've come to notice that it is not nearly as sweet as the Splenda in the little individual packs. For example, I can sweeten a cup of coffee with one individual packet, but when I use the Splenda from the bag, I can throw in a heaping spoonful and it is not even half as sweet!
Is the bulk Splenda diluted or something? I'm assuming that it may be because the bulk Splenda is mainly for use in baking. However, I haven't seen this on the package. It kind of upsets me that I have to use twice as much to sweeten my drinks as I would with the little packets. Not to mention the fact that the more I have to use, the more carbs I'm getting in.
Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes, it is different. It's made to measure cup-for-cup like sugar, while the packets aren't. That would be why it isn't as concentrated.

Yes...I have heard the packets are sweeter

Does this mean that by using the granular sweetener you would have to count more carbs, since you have to use more to achieve the same sweetness as the packets?

That's what I'm concerned about, too. The carbs in Splenda come from its granular form...the more granules, the more carbs. Makes sense to me...until I hear otherwise, should I count it as more than 1 carb per tbs?

Yes granular has more carbs because there is more filler. Splenda carbs come form the filler, not the splenda, that is why liquid is carb free.

Yikes. Looks like I'll stick with the packets.

Here's some information from the Canadian website. Keep in mind that carbohydrates under 1 gram per serving have to be declared in Canada while in the USA carbohydrates under 1 gram per serving can be declared as zero.

SPLENDA*Granular contains maltodextrine and sucralose. Please see the nutritional information below:
Nutrition Information (Serving size 1tsp (5mL/0.5g)

Energy ...................2 calories(8 kj)
Protein.................................0 g
Fat......................................0 g
Carbohydrate.....................0.5 g
Sucralose............................6 mg

SPLENDA* Packets contain dextrose, maltodextrine and sucralose. Please see the nutritional information below:
Nutrition Information (Serving size 1g packet)

Energy................. 4 calories(17 kj)
Protein................................0 g
Fat.....................................0 g
Carbohydrate...................... 1 g
Sucralose..........................12 mg

The packets are the equivalent to 2 tsp. sugar which is why you need more bulk Splenda to sweeten.

Karen

I bought packets when I started induction, found out they had carbs and switched to the flavored syrups for my coffee: 0 carbs in the syrup. As I'm still doing induction levels, I'm not doing any baking yet.

It doesnt really seem like you get more sweet for less carbs. It seems to be about the same.

If the packets have 1g carb and = 2tsp sweetness
and the granular has 0.5g carb per tsp
then 2tsp granular is 1g carb and should be the same sweetness as the packets.

I'm sorry..you are correct...what I meant was more sweet with less money! I think it would be cheaper to buy the packets and use those, rather than buy the granular. Not sure about this.

freckles, I don't know if you've seen this yet but here is a really useful link from the Kitchen Help Forum

Splenda Packet Conversion Chart

Karen

1 Packet = 2 tsp
1 tsp = 0.5g Carbs
1 Packet = 1g Carbs