Chemical and DNA authentication of taste variants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum herbal tea

► The study involves authentication of taste variants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (jiaogulan) herbal tea. ► No existing method is available to differentiate the bitter and sweet taste variants of jiaogulan. ► We find that the taste variants can be differentiated by HPLC-MS profiles of the plant saponins. ► Sequencing of the ribosomal DNA reveals a phylogenic distinction between the two variants.