Stevia Extract

Unfortunately I'm not a fan of artificial sweeteners. I do have some Splenda on hand for when I'm feeling desperate to satisfy my sweet-tooth. I even have some of that Splenda brown sugar because I'm going to try making sugar-free Blondies for James' mother.

To make things more interesting, I purchased my first bottle of Stevia extract (Herbal Select brand). It cost just under $5.00 for 10mL at the New Horizon store in Brockville. I'm new to using Stevia, so I'm using it sparingly. I put about 4-5 drops in my coffee and it sweetens it just enough.

President's Choice has one of my favourite tea blends at the moment. It's Chocolatey Mint Black Tea. It made of peppermint leaves, cocoa shells, black tea leaves, natural flavour, carob pod, spearmint leaves, stevia leaves, and cocoa bean powder. The Stevia gives it a natural sweetness that I really enjoy.

Here's what I know about Stevia:

- Stevia extract has up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar

- It has been widely used in Japan as a sweetener for decades, while banned in some other countries.

- Medical research has shown possible benefits in treating obesity and high blood-pressure

- For centuries, Stevia has been used by the Guaraní tribes of Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating heartburn and other ailments.

*I used to really like yerba mate but have been known to over-do it with any given tea/infusion. I no longer enjoy Yerba Mate, Chamomile and Rooibos. Too bad.