Stevia is a plant native to Paraguay. In the early 2000s, it became popular as a sugar alternative because of its potential health benefits. Stevia contains protein and iron, as well as numerous vitamins and minerals; it is also substantially sweeter than sugar. Some stevia leaves have a bitter taste similar to licorice. Many stevia manufacturers mask this flavor by diluting the plant extract. If you are growing your own stevia, you will need to dilute the bitterness of the plant and add flavor prior to using it as a sweetener.
Step 1
Harvest stevia leaves late in the fall. Shorter, cooler days can add to the natural sweetness of the plant. This reduces the need to dilute bitterness and can make flavoring stevia easier. To harvest the leaves, cut off branches with pruning shears.
Step 2
Dry the stevia leaves outside for 12 hours on a warm, sunny day. You can also use a home dehydrator, although sun drying is the preferred method. Longer drying times will reduce the amount of stevioside in the leaves, which can decrease the plant's sweetness.
Step 3
Crush the leaves in a coffee grinder or herb blender. Add 1 cup of water to each 1/4 cup of freshly crushed stevia leaves. This helps dilute the bitter taste of some leaves, according to "Growing and Using Stevia." Allow the mixture to set for 24 hours and then promptly refrigerate it.
Step 4
Add flavors to your liquid stevia. A teaspoon of vanilla extract will give the stevia a slight vanilla taste, perfect for flavoring coffee and baked goods. Many natural grocery stores sell other liquid flavors for stevia including hazelnut, fruit flavors and nectar. Follow the directions that come with the flavoring ingredients, and taste the mix before adding more flavoring.
Tips and Warnings
- Stevia is much sweeter than sugar. When you use stevia in baking, use small quantities and taste frequently to ensure that the baked good is not too sweet.
Things You'll Need
- Stevia plant
- Pruning shears
- Dehumidifier
- Coffee or herb grinder
- Vanilla extract
- Liquid stevia flavor
References
- Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology; Gerald Audesirk, et al.
- Growing and Using Stevia; Jeffrey Goettemoeller, et al.
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