A Sweet Journey: Exploring the Mysteries of Stevia and its Extracts
The other day, I was chatting with a friend about home gardening. She mentioned that she’s growing stevia this year. Curious about how she uses it, I asked her, and she said she takes a few leaves and adds them when infusing tea. So, I promptly bought a potted stevia plant from the nursery.
When I tried eating a leaf, it was indeed slightly sweet. But when I took five leaves to infuse in tea, it didn’t sweeten at all. Puzzled, I decided to research about stevia. It seems the quickest way is to harvest the leaves, dry them, and grind them into powder. I tried it, but the amount of powder I got from one pot I bought at the nursery was minimal. Moreover, even when added to beverages, the sweetness didn’t compare to commercially available stevia. Why is that? I wondered, so I delved deeper into my research.
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America. The sweetness of stevia comes from compounds called steviol glycosides, primarily stevioside and rebaudioside, which are much sweeter than sugar but contain fewer calories.
Stevia extract is a concentrated form of these steviol glycosides, typically obtained through a process of extracting and purifying the sweet compounds from the stevia plant leaves. Stevia extract is commonly used as a sugar substitute in food and beverages because it provides sweetness without adding significant calories or raising blood sugar levels, making it popular among people looking to reduce their sugar intake or manage conditions like diabetes. It’s available in various forms, including liquid, powder, and granulated.
The stevia extract I usually use in beverages is a pure white powder. But the powder I obtained from my stevia plant is a vibrant green color.
Stevia extract is generally considered to be less processed compared to many artificial sweeteners and even some other natural sweeteners. However, the level of processing can vary depending on the specific product and brand.
The process of extracting stevia extract involves crushing the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant and then steeping them in water. The resulting liquid is then filtered and purified to isolate the sweet compounds, primarily stevioside and rebaudioside. This process typically involves techniques such as water extraction, filtration, and purification using methods like ion exchange or precipitation.
While some processing is involved in obtaining stevia extract, it is generally considered to be a relatively natural sweetener compared to synthetic alternatives. However, some critics argue that certain extraction methods may involve the use of chemicals or solvents, and the purity of the final product can vary depending on the manufacturing process.
Overall, it’s essential to consider the specific extraction methods used and the purity of the stevia extract when evaluating its level of processing. Look for products that use minimal processing methods and are transparent about their production processes to make an informed choice.
Stevia extract doesn’t seem to be a bad thing, but there might be some downsides to it. It takes quite some time to make it yourself, which can be quite inconvenient.