Stevia, an herbal sweetener
Written by Zeba Due
Stevia pronounced (steevya) is a genus of about 240 species
of herbs and shrubs. The species Stevia rebaudiana commonly known as sweet
leaf, sugar leaf, or simply stevia is grown for its sweet leaves in subtropical
and tropical South America and Central America. As a sugar substitute, raw
stevia’s taste is slower when first ingested, but lingers, and can have a
bitter aftertaste at high concentrations. Stevia doesn’t raise blood sugar
levels and is safe for diabetics and hypoglycemia.¹
Stevia is an all-natural herbal product with centuries of
safe usage. It has been tested in dozens of studies around the world and found
to be completely non-toxic. The stevia leaves and herbal green powder are 10-15
times sweeter than table sugar. Refined white powder extracts are 200-300 times
sweeter than table sugar and should be used sparingly. Stevia has been
available as a dietary supplement in natural food stores for a long time;
however it has been slow to catch on partly because of a bitter licorice
aftertaste.
In December, 2008 the FDA approved stevia product
Rebaudioside-A as a general purpose sweetener. Coca-Cola and Pepsi want to
incorporate stevia into new products, however be aware that makers of new
sweeteners vary in their processing and purity of products. Some stevia
products contain added flavors, bulking agents, or fiber.²
In my experience every brand I buy is different. I bought
one brand that added fructose. Be sure to read the labels and in the case of
soda companies, call and ask about their processing. When using stevia begin
with a very small amount, a pinch to less than 1/8 teaspoon. The same rule
applies to the Sweet Leaf liquid stevia. I’ve used stevia in baking, and in
both hot and cold foods for several years. It has a distinct different taste
and if overused will leave a bitter aftertaste.
You can locate stevia in aisle 2 at theVFC. We handle Sweet
leaf liquid in a 2 fl. oz. bottle and the white powder in a 50 packet box, and
.9 oz or 4 oz shakers. We also offer the green herbal powder in our bulk
department at the back of the store above the bulk nut butters.
Carob Chip Cookies (unsweetened)
¼ cup spelt, rye, or oat flour
¾ cup brown rice flour
½ cup millet flour
2 Tbsp. Amaranth flour
¼ cup oat flakes
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup carob chips
pinch stevia powder
12-15 drops stevia liquid vanilla creme
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium egg white
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium mixing bowl
stir together flours, salt, baking powder, walnuts, carob chips, and stevia. In
a separate bowl stir together extract, oil, egg, and water. Stir into dry
mixture. Drop by heaping tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Lightly
moisten fingertips with water; flatten and shape into 12- 2” to 3” cookies. Bake
15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
¹ Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia. En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia
² Excerpted from Stevia Rebaudiana: Nature’s
Sweet Secret, Vital Health Publishing by David Richard. www.stevia.com/SteviaArticle.asp?ID=2269.