STEVIA
Stevia rebaudiana
Remarkable herbal sugar substitute! Contains stevioside, hundreds of times sweeter than sugar but without the calories. Leaf powder can be used in place of sugar in drinks, baked goods, desserts, preserves, etc. It has a pleasant flavor of its own that never dominates or overwhelms.
Stevia is a South American herb with sweet-tasting leaves. The sweetening agents in the leaves are compounds called steviosides. Steviosides are 300 times sweeter than sugar, but they have none of the calories of sugar. Stevia has a slight anise-like taste with a slight bitter overtone that is very acceptable in teas, baked goods, and desserts.
The leaves may be used fresh or dried. Dried leaves may be used whole, powdered or in liquid extract form.
Whole Leaves
The leaves may be used fresh or dried. Drying reduces the slight bitterness quality. Four or five leaves are equal to a teaspoon of sugar.
Finely Ground Powder
One teaspoon ground stevia equals one cup sugar in sweetness. To make a liquid solution, dissolve one teaspoon stevia powder into three tablespoons water. Refrigerate in a dropper bottle.
Liquid Sweetener
To make a liquid extract, steep one teaspoon of dried leaves in one cup boiling water for five minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate the sweet liquid. Two drops liquid equals one teaspoon sugar in sweetness when made from dried leaves or powder as directed above.(From Richter’s Herbs)
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