richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Just wondering what you're doing with it.
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Is anyone using fresh stevia in their kitchens?
- Thread starter richard-in-cincy
- Start date
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
No, but my husband bought me some Zevia, which is soda with stevia.
My friend at the FDA assures me that I'm not going to come down with some weird disease by drinking this stuff.
My friend at the FDA assures me that I'm not going to come down with some weird disease by drinking this stuff.
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
I find the soda too sweet. Or something.
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Thanks all. I grew it last year and have a
huge container of dried leaves that I promptly put up and forgot about. Since I grow things in pots, I brought the plant into the solarium for the winter. It died back and looked dead, but this spring I put it out and watered it to see what would happen and has burst forth into a thick bigger than ever luxurious stevia bush. I tried a leaf in my teapot and didn't notice a thing. Must need more. So I have a stash of dried leaves and a green plant. Does this really have to be processed to H and back before it can be used?
I was reading about making solutions with grain alcohol. I guess I'll just have to do some experimenting.
huge container of dried leaves that I promptly put up and forgot about. Since I grow things in pots, I brought the plant into the solarium for the winter. It died back and looked dead, but this spring I put it out and watered it to see what would happen and has burst forth into a thick bigger than ever luxurious stevia bush. I tried a leaf in my teapot and didn't notice a thing. Must need more. So I have a stash of dried leaves and a green plant. Does this really have to be processed to H and back before it can be used?
I was reading about making solutions with grain alcohol. I guess I'll just have to do some experimenting.
doesn't look like they have to be processed at all >>
Uses For Dried Leaves
1. Dried and powdered stevia leaf
Prune your stevia plant once the stems get 6 to 12 inches tall. How soon you want to prune them will depend upon the growing space you have them in. Take the stems you have cut off and hang them upside down to dry. When the stevia leaves are dry, you can crush them in your fingers and store the crushed leaves in a plastic bag. Just add a pinch of them to sweeten herbal teas or even pasta sauce. Remember not to add too much, since stevia is naturally very sweet--you may feel like you haven't added enough, but the fact is you will definitely want to taste test before adding more. Fresh-squeezed lemons and dried stevia leaf make for a refreshing lemonade without the guilt of processed sugar. It's great for kids as well, as it won't get them wound up like sugar can. When crushing your leaves, you can grind them up fine and make them like powder, which works better when being added to sauces or drinks.
Uses For Fresh Leaves
2. Fresh stevia leaf in lemonade
Fresh stevia leaves can also be added to sauces that you want to sweeten, much like a bay leaf is added to soups and sauces. Remember to limit the amount of leaves you use, because even though they are not as sweet as dried stevia leaves, they are still multiple times sweeter than sugar. You can put a fresh stevia leaf in a glass of tea to sweeten it, or several in a pitcher of lemonade. If you are entertaining, you can add a fresh sprig of stevia to a drink, but don't forget that it is not just for looks. It will add sweetness, so you may want to use less sweetener in the drink itself if you will be adding a leaf to it.
Read more: Best Way - How to Use Stevia Leaves | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5163714_use-stevia-leaves.html#ixzz0sagxYJz3
Uses For Dried Leaves
1. Dried and powdered stevia leaf
Prune your stevia plant once the stems get 6 to 12 inches tall. How soon you want to prune them will depend upon the growing space you have them in. Take the stems you have cut off and hang them upside down to dry. When the stevia leaves are dry, you can crush them in your fingers and store the crushed leaves in a plastic bag. Just add a pinch of them to sweeten herbal teas or even pasta sauce. Remember not to add too much, since stevia is naturally very sweet--you may feel like you haven't added enough, but the fact is you will definitely want to taste test before adding more. Fresh-squeezed lemons and dried stevia leaf make for a refreshing lemonade without the guilt of processed sugar. It's great for kids as well, as it won't get them wound up like sugar can. When crushing your leaves, you can grind them up fine and make them like powder, which works better when being added to sauces or drinks.
Uses For Fresh Leaves
2. Fresh stevia leaf in lemonade
Fresh stevia leaves can also be added to sauces that you want to sweeten, much like a bay leaf is added to soups and sauces. Remember to limit the amount of leaves you use, because even though they are not as sweet as dried stevia leaves, they are still multiple times sweeter than sugar. You can put a fresh stevia leaf in a glass of tea to sweeten it, or several in a pitcher of lemonade. If you are entertaining, you can add a fresh sprig of stevia to a drink, but don't forget that it is not just for looks. It will add sweetness, so you may want to use less sweetener in the drink itself if you will be adding a leaf to it.
Read more: Best Way - How to Use Stevia Leaves | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5163714_use-stevia-leaves.html#ixzz0sagxYJz3
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Thanks, will definitely try the lemonade. That will certainly be the acid test.