Using Stevia

[ilwzw2]

I went herb shopping and bought a stevia plant. At the least I am thinking I could use a stevia leaf in a cup of tea or make sweet lemon water with the leaves.

Does anyone have stevia plants that they use to sweeten drinks or food?

Thanks,
Sharon

[EileenF]

Sharon,

Great question, I'd also like to know the answer. I only use stevia to sweeten my tea and if I can have a plant to use, it would be great!

[iammaga]

I only tried it one year. It was quite involved. The stevia you get at the store is about 91% sweet. Your stevia leaves will only be about 12%. You do not harvest the leaves until the fall. This is when the sweetness comes into the leaves at the fullest point. You would also collect the tips of the branches. As I said, it is very involved. I buy mine at the store.

Just a note, if you are trying to conceive --- do not use stevia.

[Piglet2u]

I bought a stevia plant last fall, but died.
I need to learn how to care for them!

But I did eat a leaf off of it and it was very sweet!
iamaga must be right because it was Fall.

I was planning on just dropping a leaf or two into my hot tea or coffee.

Please share if you learn how to care for the plant.
I would love to know!

[Jen82]

Interesting about conceiving, I used for years and was preggo twice during that time. My sources say no reported side effects.

I know people will take some of the green leaves and steep them with the tea you are making but I haven't tried this myself. I like to use a liquid concentrate. But, if I had a plant I would probably harvest and dry the leaves at the appropriate time.

"Stevia is one of a family of plants that are native to South America and have been used for centuries to sweeten drinks and foods. Stevia leaves are said to be from 30 to 300 times sweeter than sugar * though the amount of sweetness varies from leaf to leaf and plant to plant. It is touted as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. To date, chemical analysis and studies show that the leaf adds no calories, has no harmful side effects and is more palatable with less aftertaste than any artificial, chemical sweetener to date. Stevia has been in wide use in South America for centuries, and in Japan since the government banned the use of artificial sweeteners. To date, no harmful side effects have come to light, making stevia one of the most promising sugar alternatives available. Stevoside, made from stevia, is approved as a food additive in Korea, and is widely available throughout China, Taiwan and Malaysia. In China, tea made from stevia leaves are touted as anti-aging and weight reduction aids. In the US, stevia is awaiting GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status from the FDA."

[ilwzw2]

Thanks for all the feedback. Now I will have to decide whether to transplant my stevia plant in a larger pot or in the ground. I mentally put the plant in the herb category and thought I could harvest the leaves like the herbs. Oh well, on to plan 'B'.

I think I will try steeping a leaf with my hot tea and see what happens, otherwise I will try to keep "Steve" alive and enjoy his bountiful harvest.

(You can tell I am serious about this stevia plant since I named it.)

Sharon

[Julie in IN]

I only tried it one year. It was quite involved. The stevia you get at the store is about 91% sweet. Your stevia leaves will only be about 12%. You do not harvest the leaves until the fall. This is when the sweetness comes into the leaves at the fullest point. You would also collect the tips of the branches. As I said, it is very involved. I buy mine at the store.

Just a note, if you are trying to conceive --- do not use stevia.

Do you have a resource for your last note?

I got pregnant while my baby was 7 months old and nursing every 2 1/2 hours around clock; I use a good bit of stevia every day, too. Surely it is not a birth control herb?

[iammaga]

No it is not a birth control herb. However, in people who have trouble conceiving it is suggested not to use stevia.