What Is Stevia?

Stevia rebaudiana is commonly called sweetleaf, or sugarleaf. It is also often known simply by its first name, stevia. The glycosides in its leaves, including up to 10% Stevioside, are what gives the plant its incredible sweetness, making it unique among more than 200 species of Stevia plants that are native to South America, Central America, and Mexico, although some species of the plant have been said to be found as far north as Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Stevia rebaundiana is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, and the sweet flavor lasts longer, although it has a slower onset. The plants taste was first described by a Swiss botanist named Moisés Santiago Bertoni in 1899. He is quoted as saying "one small piece of the leaf will keep the mouth sweet for an hour."

Today stevia is used worldwide as a natural sweetener and sugar substitute. It is found in foods and soft drinks such as Coca-Cola. Japan uses more stevia than any other country, with stevia dominating a large portion of their sweetener market.

Stevia has been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments such as heartburn. Recently, stevia has shown promise in treating high blood pressure and obesity. Many people suffering from diabetes find stevia attractive because it is a natural sweetener that won't affect blood glucose levels like sugar does.