I had been using the Now Foods BetterStevia drops, but after a bit more research into the formula I decided I'd rather just go without. Then I found this whole leaf concentrate and noticed mentions of star anise in the reviews. I'm a fan of fennel, star anise, licorice, and similar herbs, so I figured I would give this a try. It does add a slight bit of sweetness, but if you're looking for anything more than a hint of sweetness you'll be disappointed. That said, the combination of that hint of sweetness with a nice herbal flavoring is all I need to take a cup of tea from meh to yum, so this works perfectly for me. If you enjoy herbs like those mentioned above and aren't looking for a super sweet drink, give these drops a try.