Liquid Stevia Extract is a tincture that is relatively easy to make at home. Plus, store-bought version replacements are cheaper! I like homemade stevia extracts to sweeten smoothies and cheesecakes, but I also taste coffee and sweet tea!
Growing your own stevia will help you preserve fresh leaves and make the most powerful extracts. This is my basic stevia recipe and is suitable for children and pregnant women as it is cooked with alcohol.
From dried stevia leaves Bulk hereor you can save yourself.
What is Stevia and how to use it
Pure Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana) has a sweet taste and is a sugar-free way to sweeten food and drinks. It ranks much lower in the blood glucose index compared to other sweeteners such as maple syrup and sugar. The plants themselves can have a slightly bitter aftertaste, so the companies have created very refined white powders from there.
These store-bought powders are concentrated refludo versions of steviol glycoside, which causes the sweetness of stevia. They are made by treating stevia with GMO microorganisms to create fine white stevia powder. Stevia has become a popular sugar alternative, but not all brands are the same.
Many contain additives and fillers such as maltodextrin, erythritol, dextrose and other artificial sweeteners. However, some brands of liquid stevia, like sweet leaves, have rather clean materials.
Stevia is more than just a sweetener. Researchers are studying stevia, which is a compound due to its health benefits. Stevia has been shown to help reduce high blood pressure, promote healthier weight, support insulin, and have antidiabetic effects, and is an antioxidant. It is also being studied to help fight Lyme disease and its role as an antibiotic. A cup of sugar can’t say the same thing!
Homemade Stevia Extraction Recipe
Natural sweeteners made from stevia leaves help sweeten baked goods such as tea, coffee, and cheesecake.
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Sterilize the glass jar and lid with boiling water.
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If you use fresh stevia leaf, fill up 2/3 jars. If you use dried stevia leaves, fill up 1/2 bottle.
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Pour selected alcohol on the leaves to fill the jar and place the lid firmly.
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Place it in a place where you are watching the extract, sit for 36 hours, shaking occasionally.
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Use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or coffee filters to place the liquid in a small pan.
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Heat over low heat and bring in a low stew. Don’t boil it as it will ruin the flavor!!!
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Stir constantly, not to boil, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. It becomes thicker when the alcohol evaporates. Once you reach the desired thickness, remove it from the heat.
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Store in a small jar in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Dropper bottles are suitable for using stevia extract.
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Growing Stevia
Stevia works well in warmer climates where temperatures are less than 45 degrees. If you don’t live in a tropical environment, you can grow your own stevia plant in the summer. Sunny windows work too!
Use fresh vs dry stevia
I often have fresh stevia in my garden, and that’s what I use when making homemade stevia extract. Dried stevia leaves also work well, but you will need to adjust the recipe. Dried leaves absorb more moisture from alcohol, so they are only necessary to fill the jar with 1/2. When using fresh stevia leaves, I pack about 2/3 full into a jar. Making your own stevia extract is more like art than science!
Places like Amazon sell powdered stevia leaves (not processed white). However, powdered stevia is much more difficult to tense, so I prefer to use cuts and sieved leaves to sweeten stevia.
Try recipes with stevia
Stevia Extract is my go-to sweetener in our home. And by making it ourselves, we avoid the bitter aftertaste. Try it with one of these recipes! It’s also great for coffee, tea, chai latte or pumpkin latte.
Do you use stevia? Have you ever made it? Share it below!
