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Garden Gate: herb - stevia  |
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Txfarmgal
True Blue Farmgirl
    
585 Posts
AK
USA
585 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 06:57:43 AM
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Can anyone tell me about this herb. DH just saw on Tv and wants to use it instead of sugar for iced tea. I have heard of it but don't know much about it and I am off to do a search. thanks.
AngiKay www.angikay.etsy.com
Be strong and Courageous. Jos. 1:9
Texas 4H! http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ |
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Homespun Livin
True Blue Farmgirl
   
409 Posts
Brenda
Louisiana
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 07:00:13 AM
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It is a natural and safe substitute for sugar. A little goes a long way! It is also known as the sweet leaf plant. It has been used for years in other countries. You can get it from your local health food store or a natural foods co-op.
"Love one another." |
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lilwing
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1403 Posts
Brooke
Fulshear
Texas
USA
1403 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4464 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4464 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2008 : 04:33:31 AM
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Can anyone tell me how to use stevia? I keep forgetting to look it up. I bought a plant for my husband. It is growing well, but I don't know how to use it or harvest?
Michele |
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mrsmorgen
True Blue Farmgirl
  
146 Posts
morgen
coudersport
pa
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2008 : 10:14:26 AM
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I just ran into this herb at the farmer's market, I am going to plant one. I guess you can dry it and powder it and use it in baking. I dont have any exact info yet though. will watch this post. morgen
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.. laura ingalls wilder
www.laubers.blogspot.com |
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FroggyFarmer
Farmgirl in Training
 
13 Posts
Jackie
Grass Valley
ca
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 8:13:49 PM
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Steveia is a nice sweetener. If you ahve the plant whole, dry it and grind it up, or use the leaves whole and steep in hot water. It does taste different than sugar or artificial sweeteners, but it's easy to get used to. A very little goes a long way. Less is more, really! I grow it in with my mint plants. I use it for baking for my family, since there's a lot of diabetics in our group and the plant doesn't tweak with blood sugar. |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4464 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4464 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 09:03:33 AM
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Thanks for the advice. My plant is getting bigger and bigger.
Michele |
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Txfarmgal
True Blue Farmgirl
    
585 Posts
AK
USA
585 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 09:11:59 AM
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I want to get a plant, hea Michelle, would you barter for a clipping of that plant?? I ordered some dry stevia from an herb site.
AngiKay www.angikay.etsy.com
Be strong and Courageous. Jos. 1:9
Texas 4H! http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4464 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4464 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 10:49:43 AM
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Can you keep the plant going like that? I picked this plant up at a greenhouse. I would surely send you some if it would work. I know it will winter kill here in Wisconsin. Does not like anything below 50 degrees??? I really don't know anything about it. Does anyone know, when you dry stevia, is it just the leaves, or the whole plant?
Michele
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4464 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4464 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 11:01:39 AM
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I just looked up stevia, and here is a web site I found http://www.stevia.net/ It says to dry and then crush the leaves is one way to use it. It also says you can root it.
Michele |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4464 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4464 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 11:03:23 AM
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Jackie, how do you use stevia in your baking? Can you tell us more about using it?
Thanks Michele |
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akmom7
Farmgirl in Training
 
16 Posts
Cara
Seldovia
Alaska
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 10:51:21 AM
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I LOVE my little bowl of stevia! It has changed my sugar habit and cleared my skin! About 4 months ago I bought a small jar from the health food store and I use about a 1/4 of a baby spoon in my tea or coffee. It takes a bit of getting use to, but nothing like splenda or the pink or blue stuff. My next goal is to learn to cook with it and hopefully change over the kids. Totally worth the change! Cara |
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Txfarmgal
True Blue Farmgirl
    
585 Posts
AK
USA
585 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 2:58:45 PM
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I bought some packets of it for my DH's tea, but it's kinda expensive for the box so I would love to have a plant to grow. BTW he used it in his tea and it was awesome how it sweetened it!!! I love it!
AngiKay www.angikay.etsy.com
Be strong and Courageous. Jos. 1:9
Texas 4H! http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ |
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Garden Gate: herb - stevia  |
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