Why haven’t you heard of Stevia? Here in the United States, Stevia is FDA approved only as a dietary supplement, not as a food additive. Manufacturers are not legally able to call Stevia a sugar substitute. As a result, few people know of Stevia, what it is, or for what it is used.

Pronounced “stee-vee-uh,” this sweet plant is classified as an herb called Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. “Discovered” by M.S. Bertoni in 1899, this herb has been used by Paraguayans for over 1500 years. The Guarani Indians in Paraguay use Stevia to sweeten beverages and medicines. The powerful benefits of this herb are such that Americans need to investigate its role as a possible cane sugar alternative.

Having banned artificial sweeteners in 1969, the Japanese have been using Stevia since 1970 in food products, soft drinks, and for tabletop use. It is also fully approved and in use in Brazil. Several countries are cultivating this sweet herb for domestic use and as an export. Extensive research conducted by these foreign countries suggests that Stevia is non-toxic, completely safe for human consumption, and virtually non-caloric. Brazil recommends the use of Stevia for people with Diabetes.

Dr. Robert C. Atkins, MD, author of Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, has been quoted as saying, “Stevia has virtually no calories. It dissolves easily in water and mixes well with all other sweeteners… I use it myself.”

You can find Stevia at most of the local health food stores in a powder or liquid extract form. The way Stevia is processed determines the unique flavor. There are a few factors that determine the taste. A few being; where it is cultivated, how it is extracted, what part of the leaf is used, and what is added to the extract. Some of the Stevia products out there may have a slight bitter aftertaste. Although, the sweetness remains clear to the taste buds. You may have to try a couple different Stevia products to see which one suits your particular taste. Some liquid extracts contain alcohol. Make sure you read labels carefully. Stevia is also available in packets for your convenience when you are away from home.

I purchased Stevia in a powdered form at my local health food store at the mall. I wanted to do a couple experiments myself before recommending it to family and friends. It all looked good on paper, but reality is what counts.

The first thing I noticed about the powdered sweetener was the delicacy of its texture. As I mixed it up, a cloud of fine powder was misted into the air and I could already taste its sweetness.

My first trial for Stevia was with my plain cinnamon diet tea. I used 1/4 teaspoon in my 8-ounce cup of tea. It was the perfect compliment to my hot beverage. The next test was a glass of lemonade. I used ?-cup real lemon juice, 16 ounces of cold water and 1 teaspoon of Stevia. It was good, not the same as with refined sugar, but quite tolerable. Then I thought, “Maybe if I combine the Stevia with sugar, I can fool my family!” And guess what? It worked! I used a combination of 4 tablespoons granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of Stevia to make a pitcher of lemonade. Do me a favor though, don’t try to make brownies with it. That was my third experiment. There may be other forms of Stevia that are more appropriate for baking, this one was not.