Disclosed herein are sweet proteins that are variants of Brazzein, and nucleotide sequences capable of expressing them. Through a replacement of a tyrosine residue at the C terminus in the naturally occurring Brazzein sequence, or the insertion of two residues (at least one being isoleucine, glycine or proline) before the N terminus of wild type Brazzein, sweetness potency, the taste profile and sweetness strength are improved.