Stevia Extract

Completely eliminating refined sugar from your diet is a very challenging task. It requires finding alternatives. Aside from pharmacological non-caloric substitutes, there is a natural sugar replacement—stevia extract. You can make stevia extract at home using your own stevia plant grown on a windowsill.

To learn how to grow stevia, read the article How to Grow Stevia from Seeds . Stevia is 30 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, completely safe, and calorie-free. High-quality extract can be hard to come by, but making it at home is very straightforward.

How to Make Stevia Extract

Ingredients:

• Fresh stevia leaves (dried leaves will also work)
• Vodka
• A glass jar with an airtight lid

The quantity of ingredients depends on the amount of stevia leaves. In this case, use 150 grams of vodka for a handful of leaves.

1. Remove the leaves from the stems, wash them, and chop.
2. Fill a clean jar with the leaves without tamping them down.
3. Pour vodka over the leaves, ensuring no air is trapped.
4. Seal the jar tightly and shake it.
5. Let the leaves marinate for 48 hours. Allowing more time will result in an intensely bitter extract.
6. After 48 hours, strain the mixture and press the leaves to extract every drop.
7. Heat the strained liquid in an enamel or stainless steel pot for about 15 minutes, but don’t let it boil. The liquid will thicken slightly and become even sweeter. Sediment may form in the liquid.
8. Pour the completed stevia syrup into a bottle and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for many months.

How to Use Stevia Extract: Add 1–2 drops per cup of tea or coffee.

Stevia Extract with Water

1. Dry a handful of stevia leaves.
2. Grind them as finely as possible in a mortar or blender.
3. Mix 2 tablespoons of ground stevia leaves with 1 cup of hot water.
4. Allow the mixture to steep at room temperature for 24 hours.
5. Strain the liquid and store it in the refrigerator.

Dosage: 3–4 teaspoons of this infusion replace 1 cup of sugar. The powdered stevia can be used without making a liquid extract.

For more information on stevia’s composition and benefits, read the article The Properties and Benefits of Stevia. Chemical Composition of Stevia .

Video tutorial on making stevia extract: