Questions about Stevia

[kt2005]

Hello,
I want to use less artifical sweetners and I was wonder about stevia.

I tried the powdered form a couple years ago and I didn't like the after taste but I only used it in my coffee.

I was wondering if anyone has had good results cooking with it or using it in stuff like the coconut bark.

Does it cause the stalls that other sweetners do?

:wave: KT

[Helen H]

I use it as a sweetener sometimes. I don't find any particular problem with it. I do think you have to be very careful to keep amounts very small or it tastes bitter.

[LessLiz]

Stevia supposedly can cause an insulin release in people. I say supposedly because I personally have not read the study though other people on this forum have posted about it.

A lot of people do use stevia. I don't, but I don't care for the taste.

[lilli]

I haven't had a problem with stevia. I would highly recommend buying Sweetleaf (brand) stevia Plus. It doesn't have the horrible aftertaste of regular stevia. I have only found it in health food stores, though. Probably online, too.

[Lynnx]

I use sweatleaf liquid stevia flavored with vanilla (Vanilla Creme on their site) - and like other people said the trick is using enough but not too much. I use 3 drops to sweeten drinks and I like things very sweet. I like to use stevia with sweet-n-low in the coconut bark - otherwise it can be wayyyy too bitter.

[Demokat]

I use liquid Stevia. I find it pretty sweet. Some people mix it with erythritol or another sweetener.

[amberview]

sweet leaf is sold in the local publix, sometimes with the sweeteners and sometimes with the organic foods.

[Kisal]

I used one drop of liquid Stevia to sweeten a 16 oz mug of coffee, and the stuff was so bitter that I had to pour it down the drain. The bottle of Stevia went with it! :p :p :p

[tdoty]

I use it everywhere that I need sweetener as it has no carbs. It works fine for me. I just had to get the hang of how much to use. It was basic trial and error. :wave:

[Aeryn]

I hate powdered stevia. I bought the Sweetleaf Stevia liquid on advice here, and tried using a drop to sweeten my tea. No taste. Added a couple more drops. Slightly bitter and gross. So, once again, I thought I'd struck out with the Stevia.

I finally realized that Splenda was causing my dietary upsets, so a few weeks back, I decided to give the liquid Stevia sitting on my counter one more try. And by accident, I put about nine drops in a cup of tea. People -- it was sweet!! Really, it was as good as splenda!

So maybe those here who tried a drop or two and found it bitter should try squirting a whole bunch in. Weird, I know, but it works for me! I've almost finished my bottle, actually.

[zorra_1]

I think I have tried just about every brand out there and NONE of them tasted the same! :lol:

I went to VitaCost on line and bought their stevia/erythritol combo and it seems really nice. I all but resolved that I can't handle stevia on it's own as I also like Now's Stevia/Glycerin combo.

[Helen H]

Another way is to grow your own, and just toss a leaf into the blender whenever you want to sweeten something.

[lcstudent]

I tried NOW's stevia glycerite and it tasted way too much like licorice. Trying to figure out how to use it up instead of throwing it away.

The Sweetleaf brand SteviaPlus powder in the shaker is sooo tasty and not bitter at all. Found it at Kroger. I use it in combination w/liquid sucralose.

[kt2005]

Thanks everyone, I think I'd like to try growing my own. Sounds like it would be good to add a leaf to my icetea along with a sprig of mint in the summertime.

Oh summmer how I miss thee!

[mermaiden9]

Does it cause the stalls that other sweetners do?



Another study showed a beneficial relationship between stevia and the regulation of blood sugar levels, with no signs of intolerance in 24 cases of hypoglycemia. Similar results occurred with diabetic patients. No harmful effects have yet been recorded for people using stevia. Other scientists have discovered further benefits of using stevia, including improved digestion, weight loss, as a decongestant, blood pressure regulator, diuretic and tonic, and against candida and mental and physical fatigue.

Source: http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/stevia.html


So it would seem that stevia has a positive effect on blood sugar.

There is also some great information on

http://www.stevia.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia