Stevia leaves come from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, a natural sweetener. They are used as a sugar substitute because they contain sweet compounds called steviol glycosides, which are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar but with zero calories.
Dried stevia leaves are olive green to dark green in color, and their sweetness develops slowly but lingers longer than that of sugar.
As a Natural Sweetener: Dried or powdered stevia leaves can be used directly or infused in hot water to naturally sweeten tea, coffee, smoothies, and lemon water.
In Cooking & Baking: Stevia leaves are commonly used in desserts, sauces, and jams as a natural sweetener, but it's important to adjust the quantity carefully due to their intense sweetness compared to sugar.
Storage Tips: Keep dried stevia leaves in an airtight container, away from moisture and sunlight.
