There are various types of Stevia sweeteners. The most natural form is dried leaves of the Stevia plant, which are particularly well-suited for sweetening tea. Liquid Stevia concentrates, as well as Stevia in tablet or powder form, are also commonly found.

These products offer a wide range of applications. Due to the different types of products, there is no universal answer to the question of the correct use.

Supermarkets offer a wide variety of foods sweetened with Stevia. Thanks to this natural sweetener, products like cola, licorice, jam, or chocolate can contain significantly fewer calories.

What to Watch Out for When Buying Stevia in the Supermarket: Carefully check the ingredient lists!

When purchasing online through platforms like eBay or Amazon, there is a wide range of vendors. Do not be guided by price alone, as many Stevia products are not approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

These online offers are often difficult for consumers to identify and frequently come from Far East regions. It is common for the ingredients to not be declared according to legal standards.

Note: Check the vendor's imprint (impressum) and make sure they are reachable by phone for inquiries! Also, be mindful of the ingredients in this context.

The choice of the appropriate Stevia product depends entirely on its intended use. Stevia tablets are excellent for coffee, tea, and other hot beverages.

Stevia extracts or crystalline sweeteners, due to their sugar-like consistency, are ideal for baking, while liquid Stevia is better suited for desserts, quark, smoothies, or yogurt.

Stevia sweeteners are primarily composed of Rebaudioside A and Stevioside. A high concentration of Stevioside often results in a bitter taste.

To avoid this, look for products that contain a high percentage (e.g., Rebaudioside-A 98%) of Rebaudioside A, which provides a sweet taste.

To receive approval from the European Union, Stevia underwent extensive tests for health safety. The established ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) value is 4 mg of Stevia per kilogram of body weight. This ADI value represents the amount that can be safely consumed even with occasional exceedance.

Upon closer inspection, some drawbacks of Stevia emerge:

·  Carefully check the product's ingredients before purchase. Some products made with Stevia contain additional regular sugar.

·  Some people find the taste of Stevia to be unconventional.

·  Not every Stevia product is equally heat-resistant, making some unsuitable for baking or cooking.

It is challenging to make a definitive statement regarding the advisability of Stevia. For individuals who use artificial, synthetic sweeteners (like Aspartame, Cyclamate, or Sucralose), Stevia can be a good alternative as it is plant-based.

Is Stevia Suitable for Diabetics? Consuming Stevia does not cause an increase in insulin levels. Therefore, Stevia is commonly used in foods suitable for diabetics.

Since there are various types of Stevia products, there is no universal answer regarding proper use. Here, we offer helpful tips on what to look for when buying Stevia.

There are numerous varieties of Stevia sweeteners. The most natural form is the dried leaves of the Stevia plant, which are excellent for sweetening tea.

Stevia leaves are available in various forms, including organic quality. You can find whole dried leaves, fine-cut tea leaves, or micro-finely ground leaves.

There is a wide range of liquid Stevia concentrates and sweeteners available. Unfortunately, many products you find in supermarkets or drugstores often contain fructose, dextrose, or even flavorings.

When buying, you should carefully examine the ingredients. A high-quality liquid Stevia product should not contain any of these additives.

Bottle Caps with (1) and without Tamper-Evident Seal (2).

What is a Tamper-Evident Seal?

A tamper-evident seal, also known as a security seal or first-opening guarantee, is a mechanism often found on beverage bottles. It consists of sealing rings that must be broken before the bottle cap can be turned. It's a breakable plastic ring on the bottle that separates from the cap when the cap is first turned.

Tamper-evident seals ensure the integrity of the packaging and indicate whether there has been any tampering or prior opening. Reliable vendors do not sell products without these seals to ensure that the packaging is intact and unopened.

Products with tamper-evident seals indicate that they were manufactured in accordance with strict HACCP guidelines (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and the IFS Food Standard, a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) recognized standard for auditing food manufacturers.

Tips to Look Out For:

Are the exact ingredients listed? Often, these are not correctly declared! Liquid sweeteners always need a preservative, as without it, they are an ideal breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and viruses.

Check the bottle seals carefully! Do not purchase liquid sweeteners if the bottle does not have a tamper-evident seal.

Important to know: There are no Stevia sweetener tablets that are 100% Stevia. Do not be misled by such claims. The maximum Stevia content in these tablets usually ranges between 12% and 25%.

The production of sweetener tablets always requires so-called carrier and tableting aids. Without these, the production of tablets is not possible.

Commonly used carrier substances include:

·        Sorbitol

·        Lactose (milk sugar)

·        Carboxymethylcellulose

·        Isomalt

·        Erythritol

·        Sodium bicarbonate

·        Dextrose

Addition of Flavors: It is not uncommon for Stevia tablets to be made with added flavors, especially vanilla flavors. The addition of flavors can often indicate that lower-quality Stevia extracts have been used. These flavors primarily serve to mask the taste and sweetness.

These premium quality Stevia extracts are rarely found in supermarkets or drugstores. While some health food stores do carry Stevia products, they are often of lower quality (usually Rebaudioside-A 40% or even just 25%) and are frequently overpriced.

Online, you can find high-quality pure Stevia extracts. However, be sure to thoroughly check the vendors. Often, media or advertising agencies or eBay sellers who deal in many drugstore products are behind these vendors.

These suppliers typically lack in-depth knowledge about Stevia and are usually focused on quick profits.

Here you will find detailed information about top-quality Stevia extracts.

Stevia extract is exceptionally pure and can be up to 450 times sweeter than sugar. Therefore, it is crucial to dose this type of Stevia carefully to avoid making food unpalatable.

Tips for Buying Stevia Extract:

1. Buy from Specialized Suppliers: Purchase Stevia only from suppliers who specialize in it.

2. Check Specification and Quality: The exact specification and quality should be indicated for pure Stevia extracts.

3. Purity of Steviol Glycosides: The purity should be at least 95%.

4. Rebaudioside-A Content: To ensure good taste, you should only buy Stevia extracts with a Rebaudioside-A content of over 60%.

5. Check the Vendor's Imprint: A reputable supplier should have a complete imprint, including a phone number where you can directly contact them with any questions.

Crystalline Stevia sweetener is particularly well-suited for baking due to its sugar-like consistency, while the liquid variant is ideal for desserts, quark, or yogurt.

Stevia granules, a combination of erythritol and Stevia, offer a crystalline form of the natural sweetener that is easy to dose and also known as crystalline sweetener. This form is especially heat-resistant and can be used for cooking and baking.

Crystalline Stevia sweetener can completely replace sugar in baking recipes, allowing for a 1:1 substitution just like sugar in the original recipe.

Crystalline Stevia Sweetener Without Maltodextrin!

Caution: There are also sweeteners based on maltodextrin! These products consist of over 95% maltodextrin and are cheaper compared to crystalline Stevia sweetener.

Per 100 grams of maltodextrin, there are 95 grams of carbohydrates, which equates to about 380 kilocalories (kcal). Check the exact contents when reading the ingredient list.