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Stevia is an all natural sweetener that is a popular food ingredient , enjoyed in many countries throughout the world.
Quick facts about stevia
- The Stevia Rebaudiana plant is part of the Chrysanthemum plant family .
- It is native to South and Central America, but is now grown in more than 20 countries throughout the world.
- The sweetness found in Stevia is attributed to steviol glycosides found in its leaves.
- Stevia is called “Ka’a He’e” (“Sweet herb”) in Guarani, the indigenous language of Paraguay and parts of Brazil
- Stevia is a natural sweetener which is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar
 
FAQ'S
What is Stevia?
What are steviol glycosides?
Is Stevia safe?
What is the difference between stevia and traditional sweeteners?
Are stevia plants genetically modified?
What is Stevia?
Stevia Rebaudiana (commonly called stevia) belongs to the chrysanthemum plant family. It is native to South and Central America, but is now is grown in over 20 countries. It is tall and leafy, growing up to one meter high. The leaves contain steviol glycosides (see ‘What are steviol glycosides?’ for more information) that are high intensity natural sweeteners, 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a popular ingredient used in a variety of food products in many established markets, for example Japan, where Stevia has been used for more than 30 years.
The Stevia Rebaudiana plant
CSR Smart is made by blending natural cane sugar with Stevia
What are steviol glycosides?
The name ‘Steviol glycosides’ refers to the extracts of the sweetest components of the stevia leaves. The leaves of the stevia plant contain many different steviol glycosides and each one varies in sweetness and aftertaste.
Is Stevia safe?
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) conducted a comprehensive risk assessment prior to approving the addition of Stevia to the Australian food supply in 2008, and concluded that steviol glycosides are unlikely to have adverse effects on health (blood pressure, blood glucose or other parameters in normal, hypotensive or diabetic subjects) at doses up to 11 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. They specifically examined any potential adverse risk to children and diabetics and concluded “there are no public health and safety concerns for steviol glycosides when used as a food additive at the maximum levels proposed”.
What is the difference between stevia and traditional sweeteners?
Stevia is a great tasting alternative to traditional artificial sweeteners. Sourced directly from plant leaves it is all natural and does not include any added chemicals.
Are stevia plants genetically modified?
Stevia plants are not genetically modified. Development of new plant varieties takes place by selective breeding and not genetic modification.
Stevia plantation in China
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