FAQs on Stevia Natural Sweetener (Sweta)

Q) What is Stevia?

 

A) Stevia Rebaudiana is an herb in the Chrysanthemum family which grows wild as a small shrub and is native to Paraguay. The glycosides in its leaves, including up to 10% Stevioside, account for its incredible sweetness, making it unique among the nearly 300 species of Stevia plants.

 

There are indications that Stevia (or Ca-he-he) has been used to sweeten native beverages since Pre-Columbian times. However, a Natural Scientist names Antonio Bertoni first recorded its usage by native tribes in 1887.

 

Q) How much Stevia is used around the world?

 

A) Exact numbers are unavailable at this time. However, as an indication, Japanese consumers used the equivalent of 700 metric tonnes of Stevia leaves in 1987 alone. This number does not include other major consuming countries such as Brazil and the whole of South America; South Korea, China and the whole of the Pacific Rim; as well as Europe, Australia and North America. I would also assume that the Japanese figure has increased since 1987.

 

Q) Where has Stevia received Regulatory Approvals from?

 

Stevia and Stevioside have been approved as food additive and sweetener in many countries including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and India. More and more countries are in the process of approving Stevia as safe for use considering its amazing properties based on reams of scientific data from years of research on Stevia.

 

Q) Where is Stevia cultivated?

 

A) Largely in Paraguay, Brazil, Japan and China. There are other growers scattered across the Pacific Rim. Stevia is also being cultivated in large parts of India. It is fairly hardly plant that grows quite easily in a wide range of agro climactic conditions.

 

Q) How has Stevia been used in food applications?

 

A) First, as a prepackaged replacement for sugar and artificial sweeteners. Second, it has been used in various food products, including the Japanese sugar-free versions of Wrigley's gums, Beatrice Foods yogurts and even diet Coke. It has also been used in Japanese style pickles, dried seafoods, fish meat products, vegetables and seafoods boiled down with soy sauce, confectioneries and a host of other products.

 

Q) Is Stevia safe?

 

A) In general, Stevia is an all-natural herbal product with centuries of safe usage by native Indians in Paraguay. It has been thoroughly tested in dozens of tests around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has also been consumed safely in massive quantities (thousands of tonnes annually) for the past several decades. Japan which has probably the most stringent food safety standards in the world has approved Stevia for the last several decades and permits its wide use across products.

 

Q) Can Stevia replace sugar in the diet?

 

A) Yes. Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. At worst, it has been implicated in numerous degenerative diseases. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and has none of sugar's unhealthy drawbacks.

 

Q) How sweet is Stevia?

 

A) The refined extracts of Stevia called steviosides (a white powder, 85-95% Steviosides) can be 100-150 times sweeter than table sugar. Stevioside has a unique sweet taste slightly different to cane sugar and may require some getting used to by people who are used to years of cane sugar usage.

 

Q) Can Stevia replace artificial sweeteners in the diet?

 

A) Yes! I do not believe that humans should consume anything artificial in their diets. Stevia offers a safe, all-natural, alternative to these "toxic time-bombs." And industrial usage in Japan proves that this substitution is both practical and economical.

 

Q) How many calories are there in Stevia?

 

A) Virtually none. And the refined Stevia extracts are considered to be non-caloric.

 

Q) Will Stevia raise my blood sugar levels?

 

A) Not at all. In fact, according to some research, it may actually lower blood sugar levels if consumed in larger than normal quantities.

 

Q) Can I use Stevia if I am diabetic?

 

A) Diabetes is a medical condition which should be monitored and treated by a qualified physician or health care practitioner. However, Stevia must be a part of a healthy diet for anyone with blood sugar problems since it does not raise blood sugar levels. If in doubt, ask your doctor. However, if they do say no, ask them politely for the current research to support their opinion.

 

Q) Can I combine Stevia with other sweeteners?

 

A) Most certainly. However, sweeteners in general should be used in moderation in a balanced healthy diet. And refined and artificial sweeteners should be avoided altogether.

 

Q) Will Stevia harm my teeth?

 

A) Apparently not. Two tests conducted by Purdue University's Dental Science Research Group have concluded that Stevioside is both fluo-ride compatible and "significantly" inhibits the development of plaque, thus Stevia may actually help to prevent cavities.

 

Q) Can Stevia be used in cooking and baking?

 

A) Absolutely! Industrial research in Japan has shown that Stevia and Stevioside extracts are extremely heat stable in a variety of everyday cooking and baking situations.

 

Q) Does Stevia contain vitamins and minerals?

 

A) Raw herbal Stevia contains nearly one hundred identified phytonutrients and volatile oils, including trace amounts of Rutin (from the Callus) and B-Sitosterol (from the leaves).

 

Q) How are Stevia extracts prepared?

 

A) Extracts of Stevia leaves can be prepared by a number of methods some of which are patented. One researcher states: "Production of Stevioside involves water extraction from the dried leaves, followed by clarification and crystalization processes. Most commercial processes consist of water extraction, decoloration, and purification using ion-exchange resins, electrolytic techniques, or precipitating agents."

 

Q) What is the replacement factor for Stevia herbal powder and extract in terms of common table sugar?

 

A) The high stevioside extracts like Sweta are between 100-150 times sweeter than sugar and should be used in very small quantity. With regular usage the consumer will learn to adjust the quantity according to his/her desired taste.

 

Q) What can I NOT do with Stevia?

 

A) Stevia does not caramelize as sugar does. Stevia also does not brown or crystalize as sugar does.

 

Q) Where can I buy Stevia pure extract?

 

A) We are the largest suppliers of Stevia in the country. You can write (email) to us or call. Our customer care executive will explain to you about the product, the prices and the delivery conditions. Generally speaking, we deliver the product the next day by courier and collect payment on delivery. Very soon we will arrange for online payment on the company website. However, you can also check out your local super market where different brands of Stevia will be available.

 

Q) What is the future of Stevia?

 

A) Very bright since this is the only natural substitute for sugar and is a boon for diabetics, dieters, weight watchers and health conscious people. It can be consumed by people of all ages and comes with no statutory warnings like the artificial sweeteners that currently occupy large shelve space.