Stevia is an herb with a sweet flavor that makes an ideal substitute for sugar in drinks or mixed into foods. Stevia can be grown outdoors in warm climates or as a houseplant in cooler climates. Stevia can be refined for use in the kitchen. The method is simple enough to do yourself. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
Stevia Powder
1. Collect fresh stevia leaves. To make ground stevia powder, you can harvest as much or as little as you like.
2. Spread clean stevia leaves over a clean screen and allow to dry in the sun for no more than 12 hours but preferably 8 hours or less. If you cannot do this, put the leaves in a dehydrator and allow them to dry until they are crumbly. The faster the leaves dry, the sweeter they will be.
3. Using a coffee grinder, food processor or mortar and pestle, grind dried leaves into a fine powder.
4. Store the green powder in a jar with fitted lid and add as needed to your favorite beverages or foods. Properly stored, it will last for many months.
Water-Based Extract
5. Harvest 1/2 cup fresh stevia leaves if you opt to make a liquid extract. Dry using the method above.
6. Add 1/4 cup of fresh, dried stevia leaves to 1 cup of warm water.
7. Allow to steep for 24 hours.
8. Strain through a coffee filter and store a jar with fitted lid in the refrigerator to use as needed.
Alcohol-Based Extract
9. A stronger extract can be made by adding 3/4 cup fresh, macerated stevia leaves to 1 cup pure USP grain alcohol, brandy or vodka.
10. Keep mixture in a tightly lidded jar for two weeks, shaking daily.
11. Strain alcohol-based extract through a coffee filter and store the liquid in the jar in the refrigerator to use as needed.
Tags: stevia leaves, coffee filter, coffee filter store, filter store, fresh stevia