[Latin Name] Stevia rebaudiana

[Plant Source]from China

[Specifications] 1.Stevia Extract Powder (Steviosides)

Total Steviol Glycosides 80%, 90%, 95%

2. Rebaudioside-A

Rebaudioside-A 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%

3. Stevioside 90%

One monomer in Steviol Glycosides

[Appearance] Fine white powder

Plant Part Used:Leaf

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

Stevia Extract

[Characteristics]

Stevia sugar features high sweetness and low calorie and its sweetness is 200 350  times of that  of cane sugar but its calorie is only 1/300 of that of cane sugar.

The component of stevia extract that gives it its sweetness is a mixture of various steviol glycosides. The components of sweetness in stevia leaves are stevioside, rebaudioside A, C, D, E and dulcoside A. Rebaudioside C, D, E and dulcoside A are small in quantity. The principal components are stevioside and rebaudioside A.

The quality of stevioside and rebaudiosideA is better than those of other components, which are commercially extracted and used in various applications.

The steviol glycosides present in stevia extract are referred to as “steviosides” or ¡°stevia extract¡±. Among these “steviosides”, the most common is Stevioside followed by RebaudiosideA. The Stevioside has a slight and pleasant herbal taste and the Rebaudioside-A has no herbal taste.

Although Rebaudioside C and dulcoside A are small in quantity in stevia extract, they are the major components giving bitter aftertaste.

[Function]

A large number of pharmaceutical tests have proved that stevia sugar has no side effects, carcinogens, and is safe for eating.

Compared with cane sugar, it can save 70% of the cost. With pure white color, pleasing taste and no peculiar smell, Stevia sugar is a new sugar source with broad perspective for development. Stevia rebaudianum sugar is the natural low hotsweet agent mostly similar to the flavor of cane sugar, approved to be used by State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Light Industry.

It is the third natural succedaneum of cane sugar and beet sugar with development and health care value, extracted from the leaves of the herbal vegetable of the composite family-stevia rebaudianum.

Learn how to sauté pumpkin seeds for this kitchari recipe with expert cooking tips in this free cooking video on making a kitchari recipe.

Expert: Amanda Pearson
Bio: A vegetarian for over ten years, Amanda Pearson is skilled at preparing delicious and healthy vegetarian dishes.
Filmmaker: Michelle Kohrs

Top 10 Natural Sweeteners & Sugar Alternatives

The average American is taking in 400 calories a day from added sugars! And while the consumption of refined sugar is on the rise, so are artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), ACE K and saccharin have been debated for years in regard to their damaging side effects. (1)

While all of these sweeteners are technically “safe,” according to the FDA, they are coming under increased scrutiny because of their side effects. Side effects from artificial sweeteners range from headaches and migraines to shrunken thymus glands, impairment of liver and kidney function, and mood disorders.

Refined sugars aren’t healthy either. Side effects of refined sugars include diabetes, tooth decay, obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer and even poor cognitive functioning.(2) (3) (4)

Over the last few years, corn growers and affiliated associations have pushed high fructose corn syrup as a natural sweetener. This is simply not true. The vast majority of HFCS is produced from genetically modified corn.

Fructose is a simple sugar that is rapidly metabolized by the liver causing a “sugar high.” This quick-acting sugar is believed to lead to increased storage of fat in the liver, resulting in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, digestive upset and atherosclerosis. (5)

Fortunately, there are natural sweeteners that are healthy and tasty alternatives to refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. According to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, substituting healthy sweeteners — including blackstrap molasses, maple syrup and honey — can increase the antioxidant intake. (6)

This study shows that replacing 130 grams a day of refined sugars (the average intake) with healthy alternative natural sweeteners can increase the amount of antioxidants you consume each day, in amounts similar to that of consuming berries and nuts.
Top 10 Natural Sweeteners

Raw Honey (1 tablespoon – 64 calories)
Stevia (0 calories)
Dates (1 Medjool Date – 66 calories)
Coconut Sugar (1 tablespoon – 45 calories)
Maple Syrup (1 tablespoon – 52 calories)
Blackstrap Molasses (1 tablespoon – 47 calories)
Balsamic Glaze (1 tablespoon – 20-40 calories depending on thickness)
Banana Puree (1 cup – 200 calories)
Brown Rice Syrup (1 tablespoon – 55 calories)
Real Fruit Jam (varies depending on fruit)

1. Raw Honey

Raw honey is a true superfood and one of my favorite natural sweeteners. It’s packed with enzymes, antioxidants, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin B6, riboflavin and niacin. Together, these essential nutrients help to neutralize free radicals while promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

One tablespoon of raw honey has 64 calories and has less impact on glycemic load than a single banana. It’s important to note that these are the benefits of raw honey. Once honey has been pasteurized, it loses the many of the health benefits that raw honey brings to the table.

Look for local raw honey at farmer markets and directly from local beekeepers. The darker the honey, the richer the flavor and the greater the health benefits.

How to use raw honey:

First, don’t cook with raw honey. Drizzle it on breakfast cereals, over your sprouted grain toast, on yogurt and for salad dressings.

You want to maintain as many of the nutrients in honey as possible, so keep it away from the heat. If you enjoy honey in your tea or coffee, wait until the drink is just tepid enough to sip comfortably, and then add honey to taste.

2. Stevia

Stevia is native to South America and has been used for hundreds of years in that region to support healthy blood sugar levels and prompt weight loss.

Today, stevioside, the element in the leaves that makes it more than 200 times as sweet as sugar, is available in liquid drops, packets, dissolvable tablets and baking blends. It has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and none of the nasty side effects of artificial sweeteners, making it an ideal natural sweetener.

Stevia is related to the sunflower, and some people experience a slight metallic aftertaste. If that has been your experience with stevia in the past, try a brand that is higher in the steviosides. Many find it to be sweeter, without a residual aftertaste.

How to use stevia:

Unlike raw honey, stevia is heat stable, so feel free to use it in any way you desire. Remember, it’s 200 times sweeter than sugar, so don’t use it in the same ratio.

For baking, this can present a problem, as refined sugar gives bulk to recipes. However, this can be easily rectified. To make up for the lost bulk when using stevia, use 1/3 to ½ cup of one of the following bulking agents: fresh fruit puree, yogurt, roasted winter squash, two whipped egg whites, or you can use 1–2 tablespoons of coconut flour.