So, I've been using Kal stevia powder extract for over 10 years now. I've tried several other brands but they often have more of that bitter after-taste. This stevia powder has had the best taste, even over their liquid extract (to me). Well, it's very processed and I recently realized it's from China. There was something unsettling about consuming white powder from China! I mean, anyone else with me on this?! Well, I'm still using it (I've got to do something to cure my never ending sweet-tooth!) but wanted to try using stevia that's closer to the original (plant) source so I decided to grind up some of my own stevia powder! Unfortunately, this powder does have more of a bitter taste. It also gives more of a "green" flavor which can be interesting in some scenarios, undesirable in others. Just like learning to appreciate stevia in the first place, it can be an acquired taste. I ordered these crushed leaves from Mountain Rose Herbs but you can certainly grow your own to REALLY make it your own personal powder! These leaves were grown in Israel; I know I could have gotten them a little closer to home, I admit with going the easy route. BUT, at least they're "organic!" I've grown it before from seeds and from a starter plant that you can (sometimes) find at your local home improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowe's.
What you'll need...
- DRIED stevia leaves (if growing your own be sure to remove stems)
- high speed blender or coffee grinder (a regular blender may not blend into a fine enough powder)
- glass jar or spice shaker to store powder (I reused a clean spice jar)
Grind the dried stevia leaves in your high speed blender (I use a Vitamix) or coffee grinder in batches. To fill the entire spice jar it took me two batches in the blender. I don't like to put too much in at one time as it doesn't always grind it up well enough. Grind until you get a fine powder. I left my blender on approximately 1 minute each batch. With the coffee grinder it might be a little faster, depending on how sharp the blades are.
My blender has openings in the top that allow the powder to come out into the air. So that I'm not breathing it all in I place a damp towel (my dish towel tends to be damp so it's easy to grab) over the top and keep it on there for a minute after grinding to allow the powder to settle.
Next, I like to dump the powder into a bowl and then spoon the powder into the storage jar. It really makes things easier. I'd recommend labeling the jar somehow so you don't get it confused with the kelp. I tend to use what I have around and have either written on it with sharpie marker or put a sticky label on it.
I am still using the Kal stevia but am supplementing the green powder when I can! Does anyone have any stevia products from a trusted and pure source that you'd recommend? Let us know!
(More great recipes here
and here)
Brilliant! I've read raw foods recipes that call for green stevia powder, but I haven't been able to find any. I'm bookmarking this because I'd love to try making my own. Thank you SO much for sharing this!!! And thanks for linking it up to Raw Foods Thursdays!!! Pinning it on our board!
ReplyDeleteHeather
You're very welcome - Thanks for hosting Raw Foods Thursdays and for pinning it on the board, too! I know, the stores do mostly sell the refined white/clear stuff. :)
DeleteI've used stevia for many years as well, mostly for drinks, but I never thought of doing this. What a great idea to try! Thanks! Visiting from Raw Foods Thursdays. I'm going to share at Kathy's Kitchen on FB.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Kathy, thanks for sharing it! It's nice to have less refined options for stevia products. I really get excited about this stuff. I might try to tincture some stevia leaves next in glycerin or vodka for a liquid stevia.
DeleteDoes it substitute the same amount as the white powder?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question! I know I use more of this than the Kal stevia powder concentrate I use sometimes. It really depends on what product you're comparing it to, as quite a few stevia products have fillers added. Because all stevia products do not seem to be created equal I usually list stevia amount in recipes TO TASTE because of this. So, I find it just takes a little experimenting with what ever stevia product you're using. Hope that helps!
DeleteI usually grind my dries stevia with a mortar and pestle but will try the blender next time.
ReplyDeleteYou can make liquid Stevia extract just like you do vanilla extract. Just put your leaves in a jar and fill it with vodka. Let it sit for 6-8 weeks and strain. :)
ReplyDeleteI've wondered about doing that, as I have tinctured herbs in vodka before. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks for the tip! :)
DeleteI order the white powder from NOW Foods.It is certified organic and GMP tested and certified. It also has only Stevia - no fillers. The quality is consistent which is important to me. Thank you for the instructions. I have trouble growing Stevia in Kansas but when I am successful, I have just dried the leaves and used them as is. Grinding seems a much better alternative.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how they make it white?
DeleteHi Dawn, I'm not sure exactly how it's done. Some sort of processing. Sorry I could not be more help, but I did find a few links that might be interesting and helpful to read:
Deletehttp://renegadehealth.com/blog/2011/08/20/whats-so-bad-about-white-stevia-powder
http://www.steviacanada.com/faq.html#12
:)
l read somewhere that stevia rebaudiana is whiter and less bitter than other strains of stevia..... but not as sweet. l need to do more research. Am going to grow several varieties of it and see which tastes best.
Deletehigh speed blender or coffee grinder (a regular blender may not blend into a fine enough powder) - glass jar or spice shaker to store powder (I reused a clean spice jar) Grind the ... ecoffeegrinder.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGreat, i like the info you share about stevia powder
ReplyDelete