Sweet Stevia Leaf

​Make your own Stevia leaf extract or crush up dried Stevia leaf into powder to use as a Sugar Alternative!! 
WHAT IS IT?
Stevia (stevia rebaudiana) is a sweet-tasting plant that is nutrient-rich, containing substantial amounts of protein, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc and Vitamin B3. Stevia is known for its use as a sweetener but is also used as a healing plant and healthy food additive.

​Unlike artificial sweeteners like aspartame, Stevia is said to have no bad effects on the insulin balancing process of the human body. Instead, the WHO reports say it has a negligible effect on blood glucose and could even enhance glucose tolerance. That makes it not only a good natural sweetener for diabetics, but almost for everyone. In opposition to sugar, Stevia contains no calories, but is still 200 times sweeter and it’s also good for the teeth and is effective against caries and dental plaque. Other experiments and researches found some positive Stevia side effects on obesity and high blood pressure. All this, makes the sweet leaf a natural and healthy alternative to sugar and synthetically produced sweeteners.

WHY MAKE YOUR OWN EXTRACT?
Unfortunately , those white powders and clear drops we find in groceries have very little to do with stevia leaves. Processed stevia has been super refined and has to go through many steps to become it’s final edible product. Many of these steps involve bleach, added fillers, starches, glucose, “natural” flavors, and chemicals such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and isopropanol.

For example, the processed stevia called Truvia, made by Coca Cola, goes through about 40 steps from plant to powdered stevia before the consumer can use it. A homemade Stevia Extract will take only 5 steps, using nothing artificial.

HOW TO MAKE STEVIA EXTRACT:

  1. Harvest clean stevia leaves. (Use fresh or dried), then Chop or break up the leaves (Do not powder them). Also, don’t use the stems. They don’t contain much glycoside, which is what makes the stevia sweet.) http://amzn.to/2xJCLDU
  2. Place the leaf bits in a glass jar and Pour in enough grain alcohol, like Vodka, to cover. (Do not use rubbing alcohol.)
  3. Label and put in a cool spot out of direct sunlight for TWO days, shaking or mixing gently a few times per day. (Don’t let it sit longer than 48 hours to try and get a stronger flavor. It will only become more bitter. Some people like it to steep only 36 hours.)
  4. After 2 days are up, Strain the leaves out and simmer the stevia liquid 20-25 minutes over low heat (Do not boil, or you will ruin it and it will produce a burned flavor) (The simmer process will evaporate some of the alcohol and concentrate the extract. The extract will darken to pale amber, and dark particles will be apparent.)
  5. Strain through a filter. Cover, label and date. This extract will keep for around three months in the refrigerator. (If you want it to last longer, omit step 4 and don’t simmer the alcohol out, but it will be more bitter tasting.)

​HOW TO USE STEVIA LEAF

  • To sweeten herbal teas, drinks, etc. Use one drop at a time. (Stevia has a very sweet taste, but if you use too much it can quickly become bitter. )
  • Use powdered stevia leaf for baked goods and stevia leaf extract for liquid items.
  • To substitute sugar with liquid extract. Prepare the glaze, dessert sauce, fruit sauce or other liquid-based sweetened dish until the point when you would add the sugar.

    • Substitute 2 drops of extract per teaspoon of sugar; substitute 6 drops of extract per tablespoon of sugar; substitute 1/4 teaspoon of extract per 1/4 cup of sugar; substitute 1/3 teaspoon of extract per 1/3 cup of sugar; substitute 1/2 teaspoon of extract for 1/2 cup sugar; substitute 1 teaspoon of extract for 1 cup of sugar.
  • Can also grind up the dried leaves into a fine powder, using a clean spice or coffee grinder.
  • To substitute sugar using powdered leaf. Replace every 1 cup of sugar with 1 Tablespoon of powdered stevia leaves.

    • Add an extra 1/3 cup of the primary liquid for every tablespoon of stevia used. Because the substitution amount of stevia is so much less bulk than sugar, the recipe requires more ingredients to balance it out. For every cup of sugar you substituted, you must add 1/3 cup of liquid or bulk, such as applesauce, yogurt, fruit juice, egg whites or water. Then mix the batter and examine the consistency. If the batter is too loose from the additional liquid or bulk ingredient, add flour, a teaspoon at a time, until it stiffens to the desired consistency.
  • Make into a condensed Syrup to use for pancakes, apples, etc.
    • RECIPE: Take 2 cups of warm water and add it to half a cup of dried stevia leaves. Put the mixture in a glass jar and let it steep for 24 hours. Strain the leaves from the mixture. Cook the strained mixture on low heat, reducing it to a concentrated syrup.

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