Stevia leaves are 10-15 times sweeter than sugar. The plant accumulates and contains the complex substance v stevioside. This substance includes glucose, saccharose, steviol and other compounds. Nowadays stevioside is the sweetest natural product. Pure stevioside is 300 times sweeter than sugar, but unlike sugar it is very low in calories, does not increase the glucose level in blood and has some antiseptic effect.
Stevia contains:
- mineral compounds ca , mg , k , p , zn , fe
- organic substances, including co, mn
- vitamins -, +, +, - and beta-carotene
- nicotinic acid (flavonoids)
- unique essential oils
- amino acids
- pectines.
This plant is used in perfume industry in the production of perfume water on the citric base.
The leaves, flowers and young sprouts are used in cookery thanks to their tender lemon aroma. They are added in sweet dished like gelatins and jams, in tea and other drinks.
Product types 1. Sun-dried leaves
2. Ground leaves and fine-ground leaves for tea bags
Quality Purity: integral leaves v more than 95%.
Damaged / yellow, brown leaves v approx. 3%.
Integral leavesµ size: 1.5 v 5 cm; stalksv absent.
Color v green.
Aroma v very good, slightly lemon.
