Why we use Stevia
Stevia is considered a natural sweetener because it is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America. The sweetness in stevia comes from naturally occurring compounds in the leaves called steviol glycosides. These compounds are extracted through a process that typically involves drying the leaves, steeping them in water, and purifying the resulting solution to isolate the sweet components.
Here’s why it qualifies as a natural sweetener:
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Plant-Based Origin: Stevia comes directly from the leaves of a plant rather than being synthesized in a lab or heavily refined from chemical sources.
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Minimal Processing: While the raw leaves undergo extraction and purification to isolate the sweet compounds, the process remains less intensive than the chemical synthesis of artificial sweeteners like aspartame or saccharin.
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Non-Caloric Sweetness: Despite being many times sweeter than sugar, stevia contains virtually no calories, making it a popular choice for natural, sugar-free alternatives.
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Traditional Use: Indigenous peoples of Paraguay and Brazil have used stevia leaves to sweeten beverages and for medicinal purposes for centuries, showcasing its long history as a natural product.
Stevia stands out as a natural sweetener because it combines plant-based origins with a clean extraction process while avoiding artificial additives or synthetic chemicals.