Stevia sweetner

[caromax]

So many people swear by this sweetner.  I put one packet in a latte from Whole Foods once and had to throw the whole thing away.  The flavor was so bad.  Maybe one packet is too much, like Sweet-n-Low.  I would like to find a healthy no-carb sweetner for my coffee.  Any suggestions?

[live4fitness]

Where do you buy it? Or do you grow it at your place? I personally don't like the powder at all but I would love to try the leaf thing.-

[wubbie3]

Have you tried the actual Stevia plant? You can use the fresh leaf, or dry and crush it. If I make tea, I'll just let a fresh leaf steep with the tea, or for tea or coffee you can crush it and use a tea-ball strainer, and get the flavor. It's much better tasting than the powder, and alot lighter (doesn't taste as much like artificial sweetener).
The plant is really hardy, too, so even those without a green thumb won't be able to kill it easily.
~Marianne

[live4fitness]

oh one last thing silica is actually good for you :)

[live4fitness]

The now brand I buy is the liquid not the powder. I have not had the powder in the now brand. I did try the leaf powder it was better than the liquid, which to me had a bad after taste.

[Annie62]

It does depend on what you put it in and how much you use.  I like it in both coffee and tea and use about 1/3 to 1/2 packet for a cup of tea/coffee.  I like SweatLeaf's Stevia Plus.  It doesn't have silica added to it as the Now brand does and I think it has a better flavor (has inulin-healthy fiber) than Now, which I tried and abandoned in the past (but everyone's taste buds are different).  You can get it in a box of packets or liquid and it's even available at grocery stores, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.

[live4fitness]

Splenda is really bad for you. All Stevias are not alike. I have tried LOTS of brands and now I have to buy it on line. I like the NOW brand liquid and yes it is very sweet like sweetnlow. But it is from an herb, all natural, and no calories. Try again and look for the NOW brand and whole foods there brand 365 liquid is good too, but no whole foods close to my house.  

[Aruba417]

I tried the Stevia once and I didn't like it. I don't remember what I put it in. But then I tried it in my iced tea about 2 months ago and it tasted fine. Maybe it depends what you use it in...

From what I know, Stevia is the only all-natural sweetener that has no calories. But if you want something that TASTES better, I'd go with Splenda. I know it's not all natural, but it DOES taste pretty good.