Anyone else use Stevia?

[LisaC]

I finally found a packet of Stevia seeds to "hopefully" grow my own Stevia plant. I found it at Walmart.

I know it's all natural and has been used safely in Japan and other countries for many many years, but do you know if it spikes the bloodsugar at all?
I've been using it for my herbal tea. It's amazing that no more than the size of a pinhead will sweeten a whole cup.

And when, and IF, I get the pant growing, do I just toss in a leaf? Anyone know?

[teelbee]

Sharron Long (cookbook author) uses Stevia Plus a lot in her recipes.

For my pallette, stevia comes off as both bitter and sweet. But then I can taste bitter compounds that are flavorless to others*. I sometimes use a little Stevia Plus powder mixed with Splenda, but I find the Stevia Plus liquid is too bitter even in small amounts.

I'll be curious to hear if there is any bitterness when you are using the actual leaf instead of a processed product.

~~~Teelbee

* I learned that in science camp as a kid - some people can taste bitterness that is completely absent to most people. It's genetic - like being able to roll your tongue or having hairs on the back of your fingers.

[LisaC]

Teelbee, we did that experiment too in highschool. I was one who couldn't taste the chemical used to make white typing paper, yet I can taste the slight bitterness in strevia. The sweetness is so over powering though. I literally have to use the amount of strevia that will fit on the back the head of a sewing pin. LOL. A little dab of this will really do ya. LMAO. Powerful stuff.

[Deannie]

I don't know about growing it but if you do a search on the internet I know you can collect alot of information on stevia. That's what I did when I was curious about it. I too tasted the bitterness when first using it. It was so bad I quit using it for months then when I tried it again my tastes had changed and I could no longer taste that bitterness just the sweetness. Now it's as sweet as splenda to me. I guess that's what happens after you've been off real sugar long enough. At least for me.

[BC]

Here's a link on growing stevia.


http://www.stevia.net/growingstevia.htm

Someone on the board had stevia plants last year, but darn, I can't remember who right now!

Most stevia powders are too bitter for me, but I do like SteviaPlus (Sweetleaf/Wisdom Herbs) which seems to be less bitter. Like teelbee, though, I generally use a blend. Sorry, can't answer your question about blood sugar, though.

[Rob]

I use Stevia plus too. It's bulked with FOS a nutritive fiber that helps stabilize blood sugar. In baking a combination of Stevia plus and splenda works well. I wouldn't know any of this if it weren't for Sharron.

[DebbyH]

Okay, guys... here's a question to test your knowledge... anyone know if Stevia or SteviaPlus is safe to use during pregnancy? I'm hopefully going to be in that situation again soon (pregnant, that is)... and even though they say Splenda is safe, I probably shouldn't use it as much as I have in the past. Going to try to kick my sweet addiction, but I'm just trying to look at all options in case I still want sweet stuff.

TIA.

[laffingbead]

Stevia Plus is the only sweetner that the author of the Fat Flush program allows. She is very concerned about effects of different foods on the liver, so I imagine it should be the best choice out of what is currently available.

I've been using it, but I seem to need a lot more than a pin-head's worth to get the sweet taste I want.

[Dan]

I'm grown stevia for several years now. In fact, I have a 3 year old plant in a pot on my patio right outside my kitchen. It is easy to grow, although it will become leggy if not given enough sun.
When it starts to set seed in the late summer, pinch back the terminal ends and it will become bushy (more leaves). Do not let it flower, as it will stop producing new leaves.
You can dry it and use it as a powder, but be very careful - too much and it becomes bitter.
I really use it mostly in drinks - just a fresh sprig in ice tea will be plenty sweet. I love to take a guest out on the patio, pinch a leaf of and let them taste it. People are amazed at how sweet is is right out of the garden.

[reneed70]

I sure wish I could find this locally! Anyone know where to get this in central Ohio???

Renee

[teelbee]

Dan, thanks for info on growing stevia - fascinating! So it is suitable for container gardening?

Do you know if it's frost tender?

[Dan]

I originally got the seeds from Parks Seed. It was a freebee with some other stuff I ordered.
It grows fine in containers. I did bring it in during the hardest freeze last winter, but it is very hardy.

[BC]

Dan, I KNEW there someone was growing recreational stevia last year! <snort>

[LisaC]

Thanks all for the wonderful information. I'm looking forward to seeing if the seeds will grow well for me.