How to Harvest a Stevia Plant
Stevia is an herb native to South America that has quickly become popular with American consumers for its sweeter-than-sugar qualities and safe use by hypoglycemic and diabetic people. Growing and harvesting your own stevia plant is possible in temperate climates. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stevia plant
- Pruning shears
- Screen or net for drying
- Dehydrator
- Coffee grinder
- Herb blender
- Measuring cup
- Warm water
- Jar
Instructions
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Harvest stevia in the late fall, before the first frost or as soon as the blossoming begins, when the sweetener is at its strongest.
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2
Cut the branches with pruning shears. Leave 1/3 of the plant's foliage so it may continue growing the following season.
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3
Strip the leaves from the branches.
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Dry the leaves on a screen or net. Leave them outside in full sunshine for 8 to 10 hours. Alternately, use an electric dehydrator on low (100 degrees F to 110 degrees F).
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5
Stop drying when the leaves are crisp, crumbly and bright green. Avoid overdrying (the leaves will lose their sweetness).
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6
Crush the dry leaves by hand or with a coffee grinder or herb blender.
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Keep and use the herbs in their crushed form or make liquid stevia extract.
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Add 1 cup of water to 1/4 cup crushed leaves. Let it set for 24 hours; pour the extract into a jar. Keep it refrigerated.
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Tips & Warnings
Use stevia to replace sugar in tea, coffee and other beverages, as well as in baked goods and other foods.
References
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Comments
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I live in the West and have been growing my own Stevia for three years now. Now I finally know how to harvest it.
