Grow stevia seeds and harvest your own organic, natural sweetner. The corporate world has recognized the promotional benefits in using stevia as a calorie and sucrose free sweetener. By growing your own, you can ensure the quality of the stevia you are adding to your beverages and other recipes. Stevia's sweet taste is due to the presence of steviosides which are 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Start stevia seeds indoors, preferably with bottom heat, and transplant into the garden or a container when summer arrives. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. To make your own powdered stevia, hang bundles to dry in a warm, well ventilated location. When the leaves are thoroughly dry, place them in a blender and process into a powder.
