Stevia rebaudiana is an amazing plant that is unlike any another in the world. The secret to this natural sweetener is in its thick soft leaves.
They have extremely high concentrations of sweetness that do not contain sucrose, like many other sugars. Instead, they contain natural plant diterpene glycosides that give it a sweet taste, without giving you the unhealthy sugary side effects.
In fact, its sugar extractions are 300 times the sweetness of sugar. So a little goes a long way!
It has been used by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. A wild native of South and Central America, this sweet plant can be grown in many climates around the world.
It has only recently become popular here in the West, however, with a surge of interest during the 80's and 90's. With many people searching for healthier sugar substitutes that promote health instead of diminish it, this natural sweetener has provided the answer.
Regulates Pancreas and Aids Digestion!
Its no sugar, low carbohydrate content is due to the sugar glycosides that do not get metabolized by the body. So, there is no rise in blood sugar levels that trigger bursts of energy and then fatigue like other sweeteners.
When people have candida or other immune system disorders, eating any form of sugar is not advised.
Stevia is the exception however, it does not effect the growth of unfriendly flora or increase the growth of cancer cells in the body, like other sugars do.
It is the perfect solution for those with candida or diabetes because it effects blood sugar levels only by stabilizing them. Those who can't tolerate other sugars usually can tolerate stevia. It has a stimulating effect on the pancreas, regulating it and aiding digestion.
It is ideal for a "sweet tooth" because it can not give you cavities like other sweeteners and is a great addition to many of the
top superfoods
in superhealth recipes.
It is works well with
goji berries
in many drinks and desserts, adding a bit more sweetness, but not too much. (See our goji berry lemonade.)
The Taste of Stevia Sugar:
Some people like stevia immediately and for others it is an acquired taste. It has a slightly licorice-like after taste, especially if you use too much. So, be sure to use proper quantities. I personally love the taste and use it everyday, alone or with other sweeteners.
For those, like my husband, who don't care for the taste so much. He blends it in with: agave,raw honey,lucuma, or yacon root. That way he can get the effects and sweetness from this powerful plant, but not have to taste it overpowering his food and drinks.
We use it in our elixir
shake recipe
and superfood
smoothie recipe,
along with other sweeteners. You will find that throughout the recipes on this site, I LOVE to use it as much as possible. I almost always include it in any sweet dessert.
I have found that it is great to use it in combination with carob powder. Carob is naturally sweet and often doesn't take much more sweetener when making raw desserts.
Types of Stevia
The green powder is by far the most nutritious in my opinion. It is always best to eat "whole foods", packaged the way nature intended, as opposed to the "refined" version. You can use the fresh leaf also in
herbal tea recipes,
or grind them into a powder for quality freshness.
Many of my friends love to use the liquid extract that comes in a tincture-type bottle. It is VERY convenient, but only takes a few drops for a lot of sweetness....so beware! The small bottle will last you a LONG time!
There are other forms of liquid concentrate out there, as well as a more refined white powder. So use what ever suits your needs and lifestyle.
It even comes boxed and packaged like "nutri-sweet", which is kinda nice for some people when they want the convenience of carrying it with them.
You can also grow the plant yourself. I have grown it personally in my own garden. It produces thick, sweet leaves and can grow quite tall. It doesn't like cold weather so much, but loves the sun with partial shade.
