Contributed by Angie Cleavland

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Ingredients

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Instructions

Stevia is a healthy herbal sugar substitute that is gaining popularity throughout the world. In Japan, stevia has been approved as a sweetener and is used in a large variety of products such as gum, cola, and ice cream. In Canada, stevia is advertised as a dietary supplement rather than a sweetener. It is available in most Health food stores and comes in two forms: liquid and powder. Either form can be green or white. Green stevia is derived from the entire leaf, while white stevia is a portion of the leaf that has been water-processed and crystallized.
Stevia can be safely used by diabetics because it does not contain sugar properties that affect blood glucose levels. Unlike sugar, stevia does not cause tooth decay. In fact, it has antibacterial properties and inhibits the growth of plaque. Stevia is also believed to stabilize high blood pressure, suppress cravings, and act as a digestive aid.
Stevia Tips and Facts: Green stevia is 70 times as sweet as sugar. White stevia is over 300 times as sweet. If you are replacing all the sugar in a recipe, be sure to increase the amount of moisture (ie. milk or water). Stevia doesn’t brown like sugar, so be sure to test baking with a toothpick.
To substitute stevia for sugar in a recipe, here are some guidelines to follow:
1 cup sugar = 1 teaspoon powdered = 1 teaspoon liquid
1 tablespoon sugar = 1/4 teaspoon powdered = 6 - 9 drops liquid
1 teaspoon sugar = 1 pinch to 1/16 teaspoon powdered = 2 - 4 drops liquid

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