Stevia is a natural and calorie-free sweetener that comes from the Stevia rebaudiana herb, which originates from South America. It’s incredibly sweet – Processed forms of pure Stevia can be 70-400 times sweeter than sugar. But unlike sugar, it does not cause a spike in your blood glucose levels.

Because of its potency, the tiniest bit will go a very long way.  And I know that everyone has their own personal preference on how sweet they like their foods. So giving an exact amount to put into recipes is very hard to judge. As an example, that's why I'll recommend "1 to 2 pinches" because I know everyone likes foods sweetened differently.

So you'll have to experiment. Start out with a very little amount, taste the food, and add a little more if needed.

If you don't like Stevia or would rather use white sugar, organic coconut sugar, or a natural sweetener, that's fine!

But you'll have to figure out the amount to put in. Because if the recipe calls for "1 or 2 pinches of stevia powder" you're going to need more than just 1 to 2 pinches of regular sugar because of the difference in potency of sweetness.

I've learned that roughly:

1 teaspoon of sugar = a pinch to 1/16 teaspoon

Below is a chart for other Stevia conversions, both for powder and liquid.

To complicate matters even further, there are a number of different companies that make stevia. The quality, flavor, and sweetness varies from product to product.

Some people object to a bitter metallic type of aftertaste but it has been my experience this is related to the way the Stevia plant is processed. If you were to eat the whole fresh leaf of the plant there is no metallic aftertaste.

So if you are one of those that have objected to the taste of Stevia, considering using a different brand until you find one that tastes good.  But you won’t be able to look for this in the sweetener section of a store in the U.S. as the FDA made Stevia illegal to use as a sweetener. You have to purchase it in the supplement section.

I consider it ludicrous and inconsistent banning the use of a harmless plant as a sweetener while it allows toxic artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose to be freely available on the market!

Keep in mind also that some companies combine pure stevia powder with maltodextrin, fiber, or another fillers. So I recommend 100% pure stevia which will say on the ingredients label.

Now there are a ton of liquid stevia extracts. But for today's post, this is strictly a review and suggestions on stevia powder.

You'll run into the same thing with liquid stevia. Not all are going to taste the same. Some are more sweet than others. Some contain fillers or other ingredients with it. And some will have a bitter aftertaste. It's a little trial and error but looking at reviews online is very helpful when trying to choose one to try if a liquid stevia is something you may like. And maybe I'll do a review on those sometime if you guys would want me to!

For today, I want to help you save time, money and frustration with choosing a good quality stevia powder.

Below are a list of 4 stevia extract powder's. In ranking from #1 being my top choice, to #4 as being an option but not my favorite.

1. Stevia Select Pure Stevia Extract

Stevia Select, at this moment, is my #1 choice for stevia powder extract. It has no fillers and no bitter aftertaste. The reviews on this are phenomenal. Quoted by many as the "best tasting stevia on the market".

Find Stevia Select on my recommended Amazon products HERE and buy it on Amazon. Or you may find it at a local health food store. 

For all their other products plus additional info you can check out their website. http://www.steviaselect.com/

2. Trader Joe's Pure Organic Stevia Extract

Trader Joe’s Pure Organic Stevia has a clean sweetness and no lingering aftertaste. You can buy it here on Amazon but for right now it's only available in a 2-pack. So you may be better off purchasing it at your local Trader Joe’s store for about $9.99/oz.

3. SweetLeaf Organic Stevia Extract

I have SweetLeaf myself and it's not too bad! But I like the Stevia Select better. This one is also Organic. It's 100% pure stevia with no fiber fillers and other ingredients. It is very sweet! But it does have a slight bitter aftertaste. However, if you use a tiny amount in recipes you really won't taste that. I found mine at a local health food store near me. You can shop local or find it on Amazon here.

4. NuNaturals NuStevia Pure White Stevia Extract

This stevia is popular and known as one of the closest to real sugar of any product tried. It's smooth, with no mouth-puckering sweetness and no aftertaste. This could be due to the addition of maltodextrin and undisclosed "natural flavors," but there's no way to be sure.

I don't recommend this specific one over the organic 100% pure stevia. But if you can stomach the mystery, then this may be one you want to try.  Sold at most GNC's and Whole Foods. Or on Amazon here.