[RUSTYME]

I have got some seeds on the way of the Stevia plant . It has leaves that are said to be many more times sweeter than sugar. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

I don't know how well the seeds will germinate , but if at least one or two do so, then it is meant to be very easy to propagate by cuttings . So I should be able to grow enough plants to supply all my family with a sugar replacement if they should so wish .
  Use of the plant was effectively banned by the US FDA as a sweetener , as it would have cost the big companies millions in lost sales .... Just think a few plants in every garden would supply all the sugar needs of most families ... no wonder they banned it .
 I will sow a few seeds as soon as they arrive , see how they germinate , and how they grow over winter indoors . I will then sow the rest in spring .


cheers

Russ

[doganjo]

I will then sow the rest in spring .

Then you'll send some bits out to everyone on the forum - yeah

[RUSTYME]

yep ... by pigeon post ... but sadly my pigeons only fly for 5 miles then they come back home ...

cheers

Russ

[Snoopy]

We will all send you a stamped addressed envelope then
 

[RUSTYME]

problem solved .....why can't it always be that simple ? 

cheers


Russ

[marigold]

That sounds really interesting.
I was reading an article the other day about how sugar decreases brain function. I only have two sugars in a cup of coffee once a day but I reckon the effect must be pretty strong.. I'll send you a SAE

[r+lchick]

How do you extract the sweetner?  Curious and very interested. 

[RUSTYME]

there are industrial methods of extracting , but the easiest way seems to be drying the leaves, and adding them to whatever you want sweetened.  Not sure I would fancy dried leaves floating in my coffee, (and I drink loads a day with 2 spoons of sugar , my brain must be dead!! no comments please ) , but I would think you could use a tea strainer maybe ? ... won't know till I get some .

cheers

Russ

[r+lchick]

Keep us posted.  Ros

[RUSTYME]

will do Ros...


cheers

Russ

[sausagesandcash]

What about all that quality Aspartame out there?? 

[cameldairy]

I purchased a tiny Stevia plant last year and I kept it in a small container in the window sill. It grew like crazy and finally died  from dehydration . Apparently live plants need regular watering , which is why all the other plants in my home are made from silk. Anyway, while it was alive You could chew on the green leaves and get some great sweetness. When I get my garden growing I will be sure to plant more. 

[MiriMaran]

Ah Marigold, that explains why I seem to be getting dimmer the older I get - its all the sugar I have on my cereal!

[RUSTYME]

if anyone is interested in trying some stevia before attempting growing , then just type in stevia on ebay . You will get loads of different forms of it for sale on there . From spoonable to dried leaf , to tablet form .
Lots of choice , although some of it is a bit costly .
 The seeds have arrived here , I haven't sown any as yet , nowhere to put them ... I may wait till early next year , January onwards , not that long now anyway.

cheers

Russ

[sausagesandcash]

With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Medical research has also shown possible benefits of stevia in treating obesity and high blood pressure. Because stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets. However, health and political controversies have limited stevia's availability in many countries; for example, the United States banned it in the early 1990s unless labeled as a supplement. Stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and it is now available in Canada as a dietary supplement.

Wikipedia