Stevita Powder Spoonable is a natural sweetener derived from a South American plant, Stevia Rebaundia. Approximately 250 times sweeter than sugar, Stevia contains no fat, sodium, carbohydrate or protein. It can be used in all foods and drinks, including baking, and has a history of use in Japan, Brazil, Paraguay and China.
It has a very clean, clear , honey-like taste, excellent to be added to your tea or any other liquid. It is very concentrated so must be used sparingly.
What is Stevia? (pronounced “stevea”, the Portuguese and Spanish correct pronunciation)
Among the many plants of the Compositae family, the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni is the only one that produces intensively sweet tasting active substances called steviol glycosides.
The Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni is a perennial plant that can reach 4 ft tall and is native of the highlands of central southeast South America covering portions of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.
For centuries the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni has been used by the local natives and first settlers of the area, as a traditional medicine for diabetics and also as a source of sweetener for their drinks and teas.
Stevia Production around the World The stevia plant currently is commercially cultivated primarily in Brazil, Paraguay, Japan and China. China is by far the biggest crude and refined extract exporter to the US market. The extract with less than 95% concentration of the sweet crystals of the leaves ( they are referred to as crude extracts) might have a bitter aftertaste because of the non-sweet particles mixed with the powder.
To make it possible to package the powder in small individual servings and make easier to control the sweetness of the packet, blend it with certified organic erythritol, a sugar alcohol, derived from fruit , grains and vegetables, and which is commonly used as a food bulking ingredient.
No other ingredients or natural flavors ( masking flavors to improve the flavor of the stevia extract) are used.