Stevia Natural Sweetener

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OK...I tried it this morning with tea.
A total of two packets.

I still have an aftertaste 17 hours later.
Still can taste the stuff.
:crazy:

Wow...anyone else try this stuff?
It doesn't agree with me too well.

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...try getting the concentrated form without the filler. Just a little bit of the concentrated form - as in a 1/16 of half teaspoon - will sweeten very well.

...the Trader Joe's version.

...I use "Sweet Leaf Stevia Extract", from "Wisdom" brands. If you still want to give it a go, you may want to try them. Again, it is concentrated form, and has no filler, so use sparingly. I used some of the "packet" types, and it does have a different taste, and I think a lot of that has to do with the filler.

It is VERY sweet. I don't buy packets-- buy it in a jar and learn how much suits your taste. I use a fraction of the amount of sugar I'd use. It's a fantastic sugar substitute, and actually pretty economical when you consider the lower amount you use instead of sugar.

I've tried a number of different brands. The only ones I've found that didn't have a bothersome licorice taste and/or aftertaste are Sweet Leaf (link here)

http://www.sweetleaf.com/

which is more readily available, and NuNaturals, which I like even better:

http://www.nunaturals.com/products/stevia.html

I have a hard time finding NuNaturals though, and usually order it directly from the website.

Try one of these brands before giving up on it completely. I think you'll be much happier with it.

Good luck.

I bought it at a local garden center, "sugar plant" or something was on the label. It made a nice bushy container plant and we harvested a lot from that one little thing. Apparently it is a perennial, but it might need to be mulched in for cold area winters. I didn't look into it until after that season's frost. We grew it the season before last and still have plenty of dried leaves for tea. It doesn't take much at all. I'm putting in a permanent herb garden this season and stevia is on the list. Check out www.stevia.net for more information.

Oh, one other thing - if you DO grow it and HAPPEN to grow some form of cherry tomatoes, half a fresh leaf with a slightly under-ripe sun-warmed fruit (tart) is heaven! Just the thing to perk you up while you're working in the garden!

and an herb garden sounds like a good idea also.

the link :)

Yikes. That would happen if you used one packet in one cup of tea, actually. Use a LOT less and you won't get that aftertaste. :hi: