Liquid stevia extract<\/a> is a relatively easy tincture to make at home. Plus it\u2019s a less expensive alternative to the store bought versions! We like homemade stevia extract to sweeten smoothies and cheesecake, but it also tastes great in coffee or sweet tea!<\/p>\n If you grow your own stevia, you can preserve the fresh leaves to make a most potent extract. This is my basic stevia recipe, and it\u2019s suitable for kids and pregnant women since the alcohol cooks out.<\/p>\n I get dried stevia leaf from here in bulk<\/a>, or you can preserve your own.<\/p>\n Pure stevia (stevia rebaudiana) has a sweet taste and is a sugar-free way to sweeten foods and drinks. It ranks much lower on the glycemic index compared to other sweeteners like maple syrup or sugar. The plant itself can have a slightly bitter aftertaste, so companies have created a highly refined white powder from it.<\/p>\n These store bought powders are a concentrated and refind version of the steviol glycosides responsible for stevia\u2019s sweetness. They\u2019re made by processing stevia with GMO micro-organisms to create a fine, white stevia powder. While stevia has gained popularity as a sugar substitute not all brands are the same.<\/p>\n Many contain additives and fillers like maltodextrin, erythritol, dextrose, and other artificial sweeteners. However, some brands of liquid stevia, like Sweet Leaf have pretty clean ingredients.<\/p>\n Stevia is more than just a sweetener though. Researchers are studying stevia and it\u2019s compounds for it\u2019s health benefits. Stevia has been shown to help reduce hypertension, promote a healthier weight, have insulin supporting and anti-diabetic effects, and it\u2019s an antioxidant. It\u2019s also been studied for it\u2019s role as an antimicrobial and in helping fight Lyme disease. A cup of sugar<\/a> can\u2019t say the same!<\/p>\n \tWhat is Stevia and How to Use It<\/h2>\n
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Homemade Stevia Extract Recipe<\/h2>\n