The first recorded usage of stevia was by native tribes in 1887. The stevia plant, usually grown in Brazil or Paraguay, can be 700 times sweeter than sugar in some concentrations. In spite of its incredible sweetness, it contains a marginal number of calories and does not raise blood sugar, according to the Calorie Control Council. It is effectively Mother Nature's natural sugar substitute. Dieters can use stevia in place of artificial sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame and sucralose. Using the stevia plant to sweeten foods is simple and much more economical than purchasing stevia supplements.
Step 1
Pick the stevia leaves from your plant and pack them into the quart jar, leaving some room for for adding alcohol. The active ingredient, stevioside, is what gives stevia its sweet taste. Steviosides are more easily dissolved in alcohol as compared to water.
Step 2
Fill the jar with a high-proof alcohol such as grain alcohol or high-proof vodka. It is important to use an alcohol that has a low taste profile. Close the lid and allow the contents to soak for no less than 24 hours.
Step 3
Strain the mixture into a saucepan and discard the leaves. At this point, you have created a high-proof sweet alcohol that is probably too alcoholic and sweet to use in your coffee. Add 1 cup of water and turn the heat to low. Allow the mixture to heat for 30 minutes, but do not allow it to boil. According to Stevia.com, the alcohol will evaporate during this time.
Step 4
Taste the mixture after the initial 30 minutes. If the mixture is too sweet, add more water to taste. If the mixture is too alcoholic, add more water and heat for an additional 10 minutes.
Step 5
Pour the mixture into a bottle or quart mason jar and place it in the refrigerator. You can store the mixture for up to 1 year.
Step 6
Use the liquid stevia extract to sweeten recipes or even your morning coffee. You will probably have to experiment with the amounts needed to replicate the taste of sugar, but a good rule of thumb is to add less than you think you need; then, after tasting what you prepared, add more extract if it is not sweet enough.
Tips and Warnings
- According to Stevia.com it is possible to use Stevia in baking just like sugar, as stevia is not heat sensitive like aspartame.
Things You'll Need
- Stevia plant
- Saucepan
- Quart jar
- 1 L high-proof alcohol
- 1 cup of water
- Storage bottle
- Strainer
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