Does anyone have any information about the quality of Truvia Stevia based sweetener?

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

This is the first blog i have ever typed! Hope it is helpful or at least raises some questions.

The stevia plant is a wonderful blessing. It is a tiny plant with tiny green leaves of intense sweetness. When it first appeared, you could get leaves and then they became scarce. My sister in Pennsylvania had a small plant once which she had acquired with great difficulty.

I was able to get some herb stevia once in 2001. Then there came the tincture forms with the bitter aftertaste. Then there were some packets from America thru the Fresh Network in 2009. I am located in the UK.

Now a few years later and coca cola, (Truvia) and other large companies have decided to make their own versions of stevia sweeteners. I would be ever so grateful to hear from anyone who has kept a closer eye on this trend who might know if Truvia stevia sweetener is any safer than aspartame?

Happy Valentines Day to everyone!

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

sorry, dont know how the print got so large, but a big thanks anyway!

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

Dear Lyza, that sounds so awesome, what part of the uk do you live in. I have only seen it live once and that was at my sister's house in Pennsylvania quite a few years ago. it IS really pretty. what wonderful information, thank you!

[L.]

I bought stevia for really cheap at the local farmer's market here :)  It was so pretty.  The leaves are tiny.  And they certainly pack a punch!!!  If you can get fresh stevia it actually might be more worth it than buying it jarred because that is truly how strong the leaves are!  One teeny leaf shocked me with the sweetness!!

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

Dear Jane,

Thank you for your help! I will check out your suggestions! I also look forward to receiving the link you mentioned in your post. Thanks again, have a great weekend!

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

Dear Bobbie joh,

Thank-you,  it is awesome that you are a bee guardian. They need us, but we need them so much more! Many blessings and have a great weekend :)

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

Dear Mae Jardine, thank you! I still have a good liquid stevia, i shall experiment! Have a wonderful weekend :)

[Bobbie joh]

sorry jennifer, i don't live in the UK - but it's all over the internet: don't know if there would be any shipping hassles to the UK but SOMEBODY must have it over there!!

the liquid sweeteners i use are usually agave, maple (not raw, but I love the taste and try to get organic and formaldyhyde process free) and honey since we keep bees. i'm not a vegan, i just like to eat raw, so i don't have an ethical problem with raw honey. like i said, i have the stevia, i just don't seem to use it! best of luck finding it!

[Mae Jardine]

Hello, Jennifer:

An important fact about using liquid Stevia is seldom explained on the purchased product.  It is important to not use to much than what is needed or that aftertaste gets stronger and more bitter.  I used the white power form of Stevia for several years and it was harder to get it right.  You just had to work with it and learn where the line between just right and too much cross.  I now have great appreciation for the Liquid Stevia on the market today.  That line between enough and too much is still there but much easier to achieve.  Just start out one drop at a time till it taste sweet and remember one drop too much brings that bitter aftertaste.  When I use it in a new recipe, I record my success or failure so I know better how much to use the next time. 

Have a great day  : )

[Jane]

Hiya Jennifer,

You can purchase: ground, dried, whole stevia leaves at Funky Raw in the UK.  Also, there are various, expensive, liquid sweeteners available all over the UK, including: coconut nectar, yacon syrup, date syrup, (the highly controversial) agave nectar, etc, but I’m not sure they’re any healthier than other sweeteners.  Fortunately, I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth, but if I fancy something sweet (usually in a super indulgent, luxury smoothie) I’ll chuck in a soaked medjool date, of fresh figs – if I can get them.

Have a look at the Truvia website for more information about their product.  Of course it’s highly processed – but then again they probably won’t go into too much detail regarding such a trifling little matter!  I'll email you an interesting link.

Good Luck :-)

[jennifer leighton morningstarr]

Thank you Bobbie Joh! Do you live in the UK? If so, maybe i can get stevia leaves from your herbalist. what raw liquid sweeteners do you use? Do you mean apples you have juiced or soaked raisin juice?  Thank you for taking the time to make a reply!