Anyone growing STEVIA?

[897tgigvib]

I grew it before but only nibbled leaves. Want to grow it again, several plants and make sweetener extract!

 

[nachoqtpie]

I have thought about getting some Stevia to grow... I don't have any clue how to make it into sweetener tho. :/

 

[desertlady]

add sweet n low !!! Just kidding!

 

[nachoqtpie]

 

[digitS']

What did you think about the flavor after nibbling on the leaves, Marshall?

I found it to have quite a "green taste" and was discouraged. I'd thought that I could use it in tea, fresh. Later - like well after the frost had destroyed it - it occurred to me that the flavor may be quite different if the leaves were dried .

The slugs loved it . . . or, perhaps it was the earwigs.

Steve

 

[897tgigvib]

I'd nibble on the small leaves at the tips of the stems. Very sweet and good. I'd say as swewet as sugar that way.

I'll have to find the webpage again for the recipes, but the simple recipe is just to dry and grind the leaves to powder.

The extract recipe is to pour Vodka mixed with water over the powdered leaves, let it set, then heat it on low until the vodka evaporates. Strain it, and what is left is Stevia Sweetener extract.

Something like that...

 

[Kassaundra]

I grew one plant last year, it tasted sweet enough, but I didn't get to harvest it before it bloomed. I got discouraged w/ attempting it again this year b/c all the sites said how hard it was to germinate the seeds and how they don't come true for sweetness, so you would likely waste your whole growing season and not even get sweet plants.

 

[thistlebloom]

I grew it last year, bought a nursery plant. I dried the leaves and use my coffee grinder to grind them up when I'm ready to use it. Then I just add the powder to my tea.
I liked it, but my tastebuds aren't real sophisticated!

 

[lesa]

Tried a transplant last year-two days in the ground the cutworms got it...Back to honey for me!

 

[897tgigvib]

Down with cutworms!