Best Stevia
Whether you want to reduce your refined sugar intake to lose a little weight or you have to cut it out because of a health issue like diabetes, there’s still hope if you like a bit of sweetness in your tea, coffee, cookies and cakes. Stevia, a sugar substitute made from the leaves of the stevia plant, is a natural option that you can use at home for baking, cooking and sweetening your hot and cold beverages.
Stevia is more than 250-300 times sweeter than refined white sugar, so you only need a small amount to get the same results. And, best of all, it is keto-diet friendly and has no calories or carbohydrates. Some stevia products contain only the pure extract, while others have added ingredients, like erythritol and maltodextrin. Stevia is available in drops, powder and dried leaves.
We’ve curated a list of stevia that you can purchase online. Read on to find the one the best suits your needs.
1. Editor’s Choice: CCnature Stevia Powder Extract
There are different kinds of stevia available on the market with which you can sweeten your favorite beverages and food. But if you are a purist, you know nothing will do except to use a product derived from a pure stevia extract.
This four-ounce pack of stevia powder from CCnature, which is also available in a one-pound package, contains a high-quality, highly concentrated form of pure stevia extract made from the leaves of the plant species stevia rebaudiana, so you need to use only a small amount at a time to get your desired taste. And while this will please your sweet tooth, the purist in you will also love that it contains no fillers, chemicals or added ingredients such as maltodextrin, dextrin or erythritol.
Some people say stevia has more of a bitter taste than sweet, but the proprietary manufacturing process of CCnature eliminates any bitterness from the final powdery result, which has a similar texture to real sugar, making it easy to measure and use.
Pros:
- No additives or fillers
- Zero calories
- Comes in a resealable bag
Cons:
- Does not come with a measuring spoon
- Some users claimed it can taste bitter when used in large quantities
- Pricey
2. Runner Up: Valley of Tea Stevia Leaves Organic Dried
Most of the commercially prepared stevia you’ll find on the market comes in either a powder or a liquid form. This means it has gone through a number of processes to get to the final product. If you’re the kind of person who prefers to start with the original stevia leaf that hasn’t been processed, then you might want to try these organic dried whole stevia leaves.
These intensely sweet 100 percent organic stevia leaves can be added to your tea or smoothie for a natural sweet taste. Because stevia is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, the small number of leaves you use will not add any calories or carbohydrates and can be used as an alternative to sugar in your baking and cooking, too. Available in a 1.76-ounce package, the dried stevia leaves are a bit pricey, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it is in its most natural form, it is organic, and it contains no fillers, chemicals or pesticides.
Pros:
- Not processed
- 100 percent organic
- No additives
Cons:
- Not suitable if you want a powder or liquid
- A bit pricey
3. Best Variety of Flavors: NOW Foods Better Stevia Liquid Dark Chocolate
Many people, when searching for a good stevia product, are looking to sweeten their beverage or food with a sugar substitute that is calorie free and taste-free. What they don’t typically want is extra flavoring — unless they do! Imagine adding the rich taste of dark chocolate to your coffee, smoothie or baked goods, without any added fat and calories.
NOW’s Better Stevia contains pure, certified organic stevia extract. The zero-calorie, low glycemic, natural sweetener comes in a bottle in an easy-to-use and measure liquid formula. The two-ounce bottle has about 454 servings, with a typical serving size being five drops, although since tastes vary, it may be a few drops more or less. If dark chocolate is not what you’re looking for, the stevia is also available in two other flavors — French vanilla and hazelnut — as well as original, which has no flavor except pure sweetness.
There are other ingredients in this formula, such as vegetable glycerin and 10 percent organic cane alcohol, and while it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish or shellfish, it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Pros:
- Contains 100 percent organic stevia extract
- Available in dark chocolate, French vanilla and hazelnut flavors
- Easy to use and measure liquid
Cons:
- Has added ingredients such as vegetable glycerin and organic cane alcohol
- Some people may prefer a powder form
4. Best Bulk Single-Serve Packets: SPLENDA Naturals No Calorie Stevia
It’s amazing how much sugar you can consume during the day just by drinking a lot of coffee and tea, right? Multiply that by seven days a week and you’re talking a lot of sweetness — and calories. So, even if you’re not a baker, using stevia in your hot beverages instead of sugar can go a long way to saving you hundreds of unwanted calories.
These convenient single-serve packets of stevia from Splenda are a great solution to reducing your refined sugar intake. Containing non-GMO erythritol and stevia leaf extract, you can place these little packets in a small dish on the kitchen table ready to use or stash some in your purse or backpack for on-the-go sweetness for your take-out beverages. And, if you do love to bake, the powdery sweetener can be easily added to your favorite recipes.
The 35.7-ounce box contains 500 packets of stevia, and each one is the equivalent of two teaspoons of sugar.
Pros:
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free and pareve
- Convenient individual single-use packets
- Affordable
Cons:
- Contains erythritol
- Packets create garbage
5. Best Vegan Liquid: SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Liquid Stevia
For some people, the ingredients in packaged or processed food are of prime importance, especially for vegans, since animal products or derivatives can sometimes be present in additives, chemical preparations and processes, in even the most innocuous-seeming foods — even stevia.
This liquid stevia formula from Sweetleaf is made from 100 percent pure organic stevia leaf extract containing a minimum of 91 per cent steviosides and grapefruit seed extract. And while the ingredient list includes purified water and “natural flavors,” there is no cause for concern about any hidden animal by-products.
The natural flavors are all plant-based, a combination of herbs, fruits, vegetables and essences. They contain no MSG, are vegan, soy free, dairy free and gluten free, containing no corn, wheat, barley or rye and are also non-GMO. To top it off, the award-winning sweetener has won 36 awards for taste and innovation — we’re thinking you don’t have to be vegan to want to use this product.
Available in 16 different flavors, there are 576, five-drop servings in every four-ounce bottle.
Pros:
- Award-winning taste
- Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO product verified
- USDA certified organic stevia extract
Cons:
- Needs refrigeration to extend freshness
6. Best Budget: NuNaturals White Stevia Powder
Wanting an affordable product sometimes means you need to buy in bulk to get the best value possible. But what if you don’t need a large amount but still want a budget-friendly option? This white stevia powder from NuNaturals comes in a 12-ounce jar that offers up a reasonable cost per unit price. And, if you do want to take advantage of even greater savings on a bulk buy, it is also available in a five-pound bag, perfect if you do a lot of baking and don’t want to use refined white sugar.
This easy-to-pour and easy-to-dissolve stevia powder is made from maltodextrin, stevia extract, and natural flavors, and can be added to almost any food, from tea, coffee, cocktails and smoothies to oatmeal, yogurt and baked goods. The addition of maltodextrin reduces the occurrence of any bitter aftertaste. In terms of sweetness, use ¼ of a teaspoon of stevia instead of two tsp of sugar and for your baking needs, four tablespoons of the powder are equivalent in sweetness to one cup of sugar.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to pour and dissolve powder
- Gluten-free, keto-friendly and non-GMO
Cons:
- Contains maltodextrin
- Contains non-specified natural flavors
7. Also Consider: KAL Sure Stevia Extract Powder
There is liquid stevia that you dispense by the drop, powdered stevia you can pour onto a teaspoon or into a measuring cup for baked goods, and there are individual single-use packets to sweeten your drink on the go. Now consider this stevia extract powder that comes in a shaker bottle and includes a convenient little scoop, so you get the right amount of sweetness into your food with no bitter aftertaste.
The 3.5-ounce bottle of powdered stevia contains up to 1,820 servings — that adds up to a lot of sweet treats — and the included little scoop ensures you’ll measure just the right amount into your beverages and food. Typically, it’s when you use too much stevia that you may experience a bitter aftertaste, so the proper measurement is key.
If you don’t use a lot of stevia or wish to try it for the first time and 3.5 ounces is too much for you, KAL also offers 1.3-ounce and 2.8-ounce options.
Pros:
- Made from stevia extract
- Comes in a shaker bottle
- Includes a measuring scoop
Cons:
- Pricey
8. Best Pumpkin Spice Flavor: Stevia Select Liquid Pumpkin Spice Stevia Drops
What makes fall special for you? For millions of people, it’s the best excuse to indulge in the delicious flavor and aroma of pumpkin spice, be it in a latte, muffin, cookie, cupcake or even a candle. If you crave the taste of pumpkin-spice-everything come September (or any time of the year), but don’t want all the added calories from so much sugar, then u might want to try this pumpkin spice-flavored stevia.
Containing purified water, stevia, pumpkin spice extract, Vitamin C, and potassium sorbate, 10 drops in your favorite recipe or beverage equals the sweetness of one teaspoon of sugar and a whole lot of pumpkin spice deliciousness. With approximately 300 servings in each two-ounce bottle, there’s enough to go around to share with friends and family.
If pumpkin spice is not your thing, Stevia Select liquid drops also come in English toffee, maple and root beer. The stevia flavors are made with real extracts of fruit, plants and food and do not contain artificial colors or flavors, additives or sugar alcohols.
Pros:
- Available in different flavors
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors, additives or sugar alcohols
- Fun, pumpkin spice flavor
Cons:
- Some users said the flavor wasn’t strong enough
What to look for when choosing Stevia
If you are looking to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, you’re going to want a good sugar substitute that tastes good and won’t harm you or contribute to any health issues. There are a lot of options out there but the one that stands out as one of the most naturally derived is stevia. Along with being a natural product, stevia has the advantage of being a zero-calorie, zero-carbohydrate substance with a zero glycemic impact, which means it is ideal for people with health issues such as diabetes or anyone following a keto diet.
Stevia sweeteners are derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) plant, an herbal shrub native to South America that has been used for food and medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. To create stevia, steviol glycosides are extracted from the plant’s leaves and purified to remove some of the bitter attributes in the crude form. It’s this bitter taste that some people experience when they use stevia. This can occur if you use too much, or it could depend on how the stevia was processed. Sometimes, sugar alcohols such as erythritol, which is found naturally in food such as corn, is added to stevia, as erythritol counteracts stevia’s bitter aftertaste, enhancing its sweetness and texture. It also adds volume and texture.
Choosing one for you:
Unlike refined sugar that has a consistent sweetness, the level of sweetness with stevia varies depending on the plant, how it is processed, and how much you use. That being said, because it’s anywhere from 150 to 300 times sweeter than refined sugar, you only need to use a small amount to get the result you desire. You may find the taste pleasing or it may leave a bitter aftertaste. This means it may take some trial and error before you find the brand that suits your tastebuds and needs. If you want to purchase the purest stevia possible, then it’s best to choose a product that is 100 percent pure stevia extract, rather than a blend. If you don’t mind additives, stevia blended with maltodextrin or erythritol may taste sweeter and flow better, but these ingredients are low-calorie additives, not no-calorie like pure stevia, which might be something to watch out for if you are diabetic or on a keto diet.
Format:
As you can see by our recommendations list, stevia is available in various textures and formats. You can find stevia as a power, a liquid or as a dried leaf. Stevia comes in individual, single-use packets, resealable pouches, jars and small bottles with droppers to dispense liquid. Which format you choose is personal to you and will depend on how you use the stevia and how you store it. For example, most powdered stevia can be kept in the pantry or a cupboard while some liquid stevia may have to be refrigerated to preserve its freshness. Some people prefer the ease of using liquid drops, others like measuring the powder out for cooking, while some people [refer single-use packets to take on the go. The choice is up to you.
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