Gradual stage run using a sweetener (10,5)

I believe the answer is:

granulated sugar

'a sweetener' is the definition.
(I know that granulated sugar is a type of sugar)

'gradual stage run using' is the wordplay.
'using' indicates anagramming the letters (the letters used in a different way).
'gradual'+'stage'+'run'='gradualstagerun'
'gradualstagerun' anagrammed gives 'GRANULATED SUGAR'.

(Other definitions for granulated sugar that I've seen before include "White sweetener" , "sweetener needed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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