What Is Stevia And Where Does It Come From?

Stevia is a plant of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. The leaves have been used as a sweetener in South America for hundreds of years. Extracts from the stevia leaf have been available as food additives (sweeteners) and/or dietary supplements in many countries around the world.

How is Stevia powder Made?

Stevia  were originally made by water extraction and further refining of the sweet components of the stevia leaf. However, today there are several methods for producing stevia ingredients.

Are Stevia Extracts Natural?

Yes, stevia extracts (the short name for steviol glycosides) are the sweet compounds found in the leaves of the stevia plant, which is a small herb native to South America.

How Are Stevia Extracts Removed From The Stevia Leaf?

Stevia extracts are removed from the leaves of the stevia plant by traditional extraction methods which do not alter the composition of the plant’s sweet compounds. The extraction process involves steeping the dried leaves of the stevia plant in water, filtering and separating the liquid from the leaves and stems, and further purifying the remaining plant extract with either water or food grade alcohol. Stevia extracts are exactly the same compound outside the leaf as they are found in the leaf.