Stevia

Q. I have a Stevia plant. I would like to know how to take care of them and what I can use these in or for.

A. Stevia plants do best in a rich loamy soil - the same kind in which common garden-variety plants thrive. Since the feeder roots tend to be quite near the surface it is a good idea to add compost for extra nutrients if the soil in your area is sandy..  Besides being sensitive to cold during their developmental stage the roots can also be adversely affected by excessive levels of moisture. So take care not to overwater them and to make sure the soil in which they are planted drains easily and isn't soggy or subject to flooding or puddling. Frequent light watering is recommended during the summer months.  Adding a layer of compost or your favorite mulch around each Stevia plant will help keep the shallow feeder roots from drying out. Stevia plants respond well to fertilizers with a lower nitrogen content than the fertilizer's phosphoric acid or potash content. Most organic fertilizers would work well since they release nitrogen slowly.

Stevia a member of the Chrysanthemum family is a plant native to Paraguay. It has been used by the Guarani Indians since ancient times. As a sugar substitute it is available as a concentrated liquid crushed leaf or concentrated white powder. The liquid and leaf forms have a slight herbal overtone which reminds some of anise (licorice).

The greenish-black concentrated liquid is 70 times as sweet as sugar. Common uses include adding to milk to sweeten cereal tea coffee and hot chocolate. The liquid can also be used in baking but can discolor light colored foods such as yellow cakes.

The crushed leaf form is about 30 times as sweet as sugar. It usually comes in small tea-bag like packets in a box is useful for sprinkling on top of cereal and other foods. The leaf particles do not dissolve so kids might take a little time getting used to the floating leaves in their cereal.

The concentrated white powder is 300 times as sweet as sugar. It is heat stable to 198 degrees C (388 degrees F). Though Stevia has not been approved for use in the United States as a commercial food additive by the FDA it is available in health food stores for personal use.

Stevia plant is a perennial. Mature plants produce two annual harvests in low fertility soil. The leaves measure from 2 to 3 inches long and up to 1 inch wide. When the plant reaches maturity it is about 2-3 feet tall. The yield of twenty pounds of dried leaves of good quality produces 2 pounds of Stevioside the main sweetening principal of the leaf. For the home gardener 6-8 plants should provide a years supply of leaves to dry and add to your tea and herbal blends.