SweetLeaf Stevia. The next new thing?
On the heels of Ed's Splenda-rama this weekend, I would love to know how many people have heard of, or have tasted, SweetLeaf Stevia. This no-calorie sweetener sounds way too good to be true. I haven't tasted it but I've heard that it could actually pass for sugar. If nothing else they deserve props for the cute dancing monkey on their website. http://www.sweetleaf.com/
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10 Comments:
The stevia I've tasted in the past has a bitter, licorice-like flavor. It's not merely sweet, like sugar and artificial sweeteners. I didn't like the taste, but I'd try it again if that flavor were somehow removed.
theminx at 2:38PM on 04/10/07
(Most?) Natural food shops carry Stevia, which, because it's considered an herbal supplement, is still without FDA approval. (Not like that stops most people from popping vitamins or consuming other shady foodstuffs.)
I tried the packets (it's also available liquid form) and the taste wasn't fantastic enough for me to make the switch entirely--yes, I'm faithful to SPLENDA. Though it was really sweet, I think I recall a slightly bitter, herby aftertaste.
à la mode at 2:38PM on 04/10/07
I've tasted it straight and find it EXTREMELY bitter. There was sweetness to it, sure, but it didn't have the same mouthfeel as a sugar.
I've also had foods where people have cooked with it and have the same experience. I get the impression that not everyone can taste the bitterness, it's just a small percentage of us that have that reaction (I have the same reaction to many artificial colors such as Red40).
I have a few friends that swear by it and I've been trying to keep it around for them when they come over and want something for their tea.
Cybele May at 3:01PM on 04/10/07
I've noticed that it does have a herbally-bitter flavor, although not overwhelmingly so..
My biggest problem was that it did not dissolve easily, and got kind of clumpy. I usually don't drink sweetener or sugar anyway, but my preference order is splenda, then equal, then stevia, then sweet&low (yuck!). Sugar, raw and white, still wins for flavor; and diet coke (regular, not splenda-version) is my favorite diet soda, but that's probably based on familiarity not objectivity.
daryn at 3:18PM on 04/10/07
I like Stevia plenty! I don't use sugar except to propagate yeast for bread. I've yet to try it for that purpose…
tgchi at 9:14PM on 04/10/07
I had not heard of stevia, but it won't be the next new thing: it's been used as a sweetner for centuries. See the wikipedia article.
And I doubt you could use it as a yeast starter, as it's non-fermentable.
Lou at 7:33AM on 04/11/07
It's usually best when mixed with some regular sugar. SweetLeaf isn't the best brand, though, as it's much more bitter than some others. My boyfriend is from the South and drinks a lot of sweet tea, and uses mostly stevia to sweeten it - NuNaturals brand "NuStevia" powder is his favorite. The main reason he switched is because every other artificial sweetener (including Splenda) is a migraine trigger for him. Stevia isn't, and regardless of the FDA situation, I still feel better about using a non-chemical sugar alternative.
producestories at 9:35AM on 04/11/07
I've had Stevia. I think it's used in other countries the way artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and NutraSweet are used here. It does NOT pass for sugar. It has that intense flat sweetness immediately when it hits the tongue and a almost drying chemically (bitter as others mention) finish. Similar to Sweet and Low almost. Are processed sugar substitutes really that necessary? I'm perplexed...
pickle at 11:59AM on 04/11/07
Thank you everyone for the comments! It appears that it's been around for a while but it seems to be gaining popularity here in Los Angeles. It's the first time I've heard of it. Last night somebody gave me a packet of the SweetLeaf brand. I'll give it a taste soon.
Acme Instant Food at 12:51PM on 04/11/07
I started using Stevia when I was diagnosed as diabetic. I usually buy it in bulk from a local health food store. the major problem I've had with it is getting used to using a 10th of the normal amount. My ex and I used to keep toothpicks on the table to wet in our coffee and use that to measure out the amount of stevia to use(yes that small an amount) The only time I noticed a bitter-herby flavor was when I used too much. Also it works great in hot beverages but in cold, let it sit in the "chill chest" at least an hour before you try to drink it.
huney_bumper at 1:35PM on 04/11/07