Stevia has long been used by the people of Brazil and Paraguay to add a little sweet to their diet. You too can add some sweetness to your favorite foods and beverages without the calories of regular sugar or commercial sugar substitutes.
History
Stevia rebaudiana is an herb native to the mountains of Paraguay, where it has been used for centuries, brewed by itself or mixed with the traditional Yerba Mate drink of that region. Awareness in the United States did not arise until 1918.
Function
Stevia can be added in place of sugar or sugar substitutes in recipes, or added to beverages for a calorie-free, natural sweet taste.
Features
Stevia is more than 100 times sweeter then cane-derived table sugars, but without the calories and carbohydrates.
Effects
If used in too great a quantity, Stevia can have a bitter aftertaste, but increasingly, companies are attempting to keep the sweetness without the unpleasantness of the finish.
Considerations
While Stevia has long been available in health food stores and natural cafes, it is only recently that the FDA has approved this product for commercial use.
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