“I have a question to all who know the answer to this:
What exactly is Stevia? Did I read somewhere it’s sweet and can take the place of sugar? If so, are there seeds to be bought? So, what does one do with Stevia?”
Marcella, it is an herb with very sweet leaves. The leaves can be used to sweeten whatever you want, as sugar, but it does not have the effects of sugar on people with diabetes or insulin resistance. It is VERY sweet, and one has to experiment a bit before finding the amount that is best. Sometimes some stevia products will leave a slightly bitter aftertaste if too much is used.
You can find quite a number of stevia products at health food stores. Walmart even has one that is not too horrible, in their supplement area.
I have been in search of stevia plants or seeds for a few years. I have had some seed packets in the past, but was unable to germinate them. I found that FedCo does sell them, but they probably will not be available until next season. Just last week, Darlin and I were in our health food store which has a natural and heirloom seed rack. THERE WAS STEVIA! That is why I’ve been asking questions about it, because I’m wondering how to grow it without wasting this particular packet!! I’ve learned that it can be tricky. I spoke with a person at FedCo who confirmed that.
I’m looking at the envelope now, which contains 15 seeds for $3.49. This is from “Botanical Interests.” The packet shows the contact info listed as follows:
Botanical Interests, Inc.
660 Compton Street
Broomfield CO 80020
www.botanicalinterests.com
I use stevia ALL the time, and of course am very interested in learning to grow my own!
LOL!...I’ve just been doing a search on BING and first articles pulled up are on its DANGERS!!!! and WARNINGS!!!! and doubts about its efficacy in the body in managing blood sugar issues. Looks like the sugar industry is beating their tom-tom.
Here’s the Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia
I bought my Stevia at just a regular nursery. I think it was about $1.39 for a 4 inch pot. It grows pretty fast.
I haven’t really used it for anything...except to say “taste this” when people are checking out my garden.
Stevia has been used for hundreds of years with no ill effects is what I have read. You can get plants for many of the same places that send you catalogs. I can’t remember them all, but I do remember that Guerneys and Burgess had the plants.