*Stevia is the genus name of many species of herbs and shrubs in the Sunflower family, native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America.

*Stevia rebaudiana is also called sweetleaf and sugarleaf.

*The leaves of these shrubs are naturally sweet, about 30-45 times as sweet as table sugar. But the glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside) isolated from these leaves are almost 300 times as sweet as table sugar. So a very small amount of this provides the sweetness for a longer duration without any after taste.

*Stevia can also be used to substitute other sweeteners in baking and cooking, but does not give good results with yeast containing recipes.

*Although it is widely used as a sweetener in various foods in China, Japan, Malaysia and other Asian countries, it is not recognized as a safe food additive by the FDA in the US, but is recognized as a dietary supplement. More studies are being conducted on Stevia to evaluate its safety.

*The whole dried leaves are green or brown in color, but the isolated glycosides are clear white in color.

*Buying and storage: Buy whole dried leaves. Store these leaves away from light and heat in a tightly closed container.

Is it raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, whole dried leaves are raw.
*No, because the glycosides isolated from these leaves are processed. Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Stevia is extremely sweet and its sweetness is due to the presence of various glycosides – Steviosides, Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside C, Rebaudioside Donna, Rebaudioside E, Dulcoside A, Steviolbioside.

2. These glycosides have absolutely no calories, so individuals with obesity and diabetes can safely consume stevia.

3. It does not have any effect on blood glucose.

4. Stevia is neither absorbed nor digested, instead it is excreted.

5. It has no side effects.

6. As it has no calories, it helps weight loss and its maintenance.