Ever tried stevia as a natural sweetener? You’re missing out if not. This miracle herb from South America is a game changer if you want to cut back on sugar without sacrificing taste. Stevia rebaudiana, to give it its proper name, is a natural sweetener that’s perfect for jazzing up your favourite herbal teas.
With its liquorice-like sweetness and zero calories, stevia is ideal for anyone watching their waistline or wanting an all-natural alternative to chemical-laden artificial sweeteners. Whether you’re brewing up peppermint, chamomile or fruit-infused tea, a few drops of stevia extract or a spoonful of the dried, powdered leaves is all you need to take your cuppa to the next level.
So do yourself a favour and get your hands on this wonder herb. Your taste buds and your body will thank you for it. Stevia is one natural sweetener you’ll never regret discovering.
Why Dried Stevia Leaves Are Better Than Extracts
Why Dried Stevia Leaves Are Better Than Extracts
Dried stevia leaves are naturally sweet without the bitter aftertaste of stevia extracts and powders. The leaves contain several sweet compounds like stevioside and rebaudioside A, but also other components that provide a more balanced, rounded sweetness.
Stevia extracts and powders like stevia sugar are highly processed, stripping out many of the compounds found in the whole dried leaves. This processing is done to isolate the sweetest compounds, but it also removes the compounds that help balance out the sweetness and provide flavour. The end result can be an intensely sweet product with a bitter, licorice-like aftertaste that many find unpleasant.
Dried stevia leaves provide sweetness in a gentle, natural way without unpleasant side effects. The sweetness comes on gradually and has pleasant, herbaceous notes in addition to the sweetness. You’ll find the naturally dried leaves have a flavour more reminiscent of honey than sugar.
Using dried stevia leaves in your herbal tea blends provides natural sweetness without a lot of processing. Add a little at a time, tasting as you go, until you reach the level of sweetness you prefer. The sweetness from the leaves will infuse into the tea as it steeps. Enjoy your naturally sweet tea!
Using Stevia Leaves to Naturally Sweeten Bitter Herbal Teas
Once you’ve grown your stevia plant and have fresh or dried leaves on hand, it’s time to start sweetening your favourite herbal teas the natural way.
Origin of stevia and its historical use
Stevia rebaudiana is native to South America, where its leaves have been used for hundreds of years as a natural sweetener and traditional medicine.
Historical use
The Guarani people of Paraguay have used stevia leaves to sweeten mate tea since ancient times. They called it “ka’a he’ê”, meaning “sweet herb”. For centuries, stevia was the sole sweetener used in Paraguay and parts of Brazil.
European explorers first learned of stevia in the 16th century, but it was not commercially cultivated until the 19th century. The plant was named Stevia rebaudiana in honour of Paraguayan botanist Moisés Santiago Bertoni, who studied its properties.
In the 1970s, stevia gained popularity in Japan as a natural sugar substitute. Today, stevia extracts and steviol glycosides are approved as sweeteners in many countries and used in foods, beverages and tabletop sweeteners. However, stevia leaves and crude stevia extracts are not approved as food additives.
Stevia leaves have a long history of use in herbal medicine for various therapeutic purposes. Indigenous tribes used stevia as a medicinal herb to help regulate blood sugar levels, soothe digestive upsets, and promote heart health. Stevia’s sweet compounds are thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Whether as a natural sweetener or herbal remedy, stevia has been valued for centuries. This fascinating little plant from South America deserves a place in the gardens and cups of health-conscious herbal enthusiasts everywhere. By using stevia to sweeten your herbal teas, you’re continuing an ancient wellness tradition.
Benefits of stevia use
Stevia is a natural sweetener that offers some excellent benefits when used in herbal teas. As a diabetic-friendly sugar substitute, stevia
extracts like stevioside and rebaudioside A are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, so you only need a tiny amount.
Blood Sugar Control
Stevia may help reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Studies show stevia extracts can decrease blood glucose levels, haemoglobin A1c and insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. By sweetening your herbal teas with stevia instead of sugar, you gain these potential benefits.
Weight Management
Stevia is calorie-free, so it won’t add to your daily calorie intake like sugar does. Replacing sugar with stevia may aid weight loss and maintenance. Some research found stevia extracts can decrease appetite, reduce food intake and improve satiety.
Oral Health
Unlike sugar which feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities, stevia does not promote tooth decay. It may even help prevent cavities by inhibiting the growth of bacteria like Streptococcus mutans. Stevia’s sweetness comes from plant compounds called steviol glycosides which bacteria don’t feed on.
Conclusion
So there you have it, with stevia you can naturally sweeten your herbal teas without worrying about artificial ingredients or calories. Stevia is easy to use, versatile and complements a variety of herbal tea blends. The next time you’re brewing your favourite tea, add a few drops of stevia extract or a pinch of dried stevia leaves and experience the natural sweetness. Your taste buds and body will thank you. Give stevia a try – you’ll never look back! Who knew a little plant could make such a big difference in how you enjoy your daily cup of tea. Sweet simplicity at its best.
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