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Gardening

In reply to the discussion: I have a stevia plant. [View all]
 

sce56

(4,828 posts)
7. Ok did the google and found this for you.
Wed Dec 14, 2011, 12:56 AM
Dec 2011
http://www.stevia.net/growingstevia.htm#unlocking-the-sweetness

Unlocking the Sweetness in Your Harvest

Once all your leaves have been harvested you will need to dry them. This can be accomplished on a screen or net. (For a larger application, an alfalfa or grain drier can be used, but about the only way an average gardener might gain access to such a device is to borrow it from a friendly neighborhood farmer). The drying process is not one that requires excessive heat; more important is good air circulation. On a moderately warm fall day, your stevia crop can be quick dried in the full sun in about 12 hours. (Drying times longer than that will lower the stevioside content of the final product.) A home dehydrator can also be used, although sun drying is the preferred method.

Crushing the dried leaves is the final step in releasing stevia’s sweetening power. This can be done either by hand or, for greater effect, in a coffee grinder or in a special blender for herbs. You can also make your own liquid stevia extract by adding a cup of warm water to 1/4 cup of fresh, finely-crushed stevia leaves. This mixture should set for 24 hours and then be refrigerated.

Hope that helps let me know.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I have a stevia plant. [View all] shift happens Dec 2011 OP
Inside or outside? Suich Dec 2011 #1
Thanks! I am in the Midwest and bought it over the summer. shift happens Dec 2011 #2
I ate some of the leaves at a garden store Suich Dec 2011 #5
Yeah and repotted it at some point. shift happens Dec 2011 #6
Great do you use it to sweeten your hot drinks? sce56 Dec 2011 #3
It didn't work when I put it into some tea. shift happens Dec 2011 #4
Ok did the google and found this for you. sce56 Dec 2011 #7
Thanks! Funny, though... shift happens Dec 2011 #8
I've grown and dried stevia Ruby Reason Dec 2011 #10
Be careful with that - it is SERIOUSLY sweet! HopeHoops Dec 2011 #9
I HAD a stevia plant! 18th and blue island Dec 2011 #11
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»I have a stevia plant.»Reply #7