Originally native to Paraguay but now available from a number of other countries, Stevia is a small green plant bearing leaves that have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. The leaves are remarkably nutritious and contain a variety of healthful vitamins and minerals.

There are three distinct Stevia uses as a sweetener: in food and beverage products, herbal tea or for medicinal effects. Stevia creates an intense effect on the taste buds without raising blood sugar levels. Moreover, it contributes nil calories to the diet so it can be used in weight loss efforts. It is commercially available in leaf form, green powder, white extract powder and in liquid concentrate form.

Steviol glycosides are heat and pH stable, do not ferment or darken upon cooking, and as a result, are used in a wide range of foods and beverages. Ultra-refined extracts have been used in Japan and Korea for 30 years as a natural sugar substitute in carbonated drinks, fruit juices, health and sport drinks, yoghurts, desserts and jellies, snacks, candies, chocolates, pastries, noodles, rice wines, soy sauces, pickled vegetables, cookies and biscuits.

White crystalline Stevioside powders are pleasant tasting and depending on the type of processing, can eliminate the characteristic licorice-like or slightly bitter aftertaste associated with the Stevia extracts.

The intensity of sweetness and taste is directly proportional to the presence of four major steviol glycosides contained in the plant leaves, veins and stems. The normal proportions of these glycosides are Stevioside (5-10%), Rebaudioside A (2-4%), Rebaudioside C (1-2%) and Dulcoside A (0.5-1%). They range from 40 to 250 times sweeter than sugar. Rebaudioside A has the best sensory characteristics (most sweet), whereas Stevioside are the most bitter (found mainly in the veins and stems).

We have sourced the best quality Stevia to present to you here. Our Naturally Sweet Stevia is great tasting, without the bitter aftertaste of many other Stevia products, and at a very affordable price.  The SweetLeaf Stevia is only 100% natural Stevia sweetener extract; it is made with only high grade Stevia leaves and cool, purified water. There are no chemicals, alcohols or additives of any kind in this product and you can taste the difference!