How to Dry Stevia
Simple Living. Creative LearningStevia is a naturally sweet herb that can add flavour to your cooking. Learn how to dry stevia, to create a lovely versatile product.
Ingredients
- Stevia Leaves
Instructions
Hang Drying
- An easy way to dry stevia is to cut long stems off the plant and bundle them together with twine.
- Then hang these bunches upside down on a herb drying rack in a cool, dark place that is out of direct sunlight.
- These leaves will be ready when there is no moisture left.
Sun / Rack Drying
- The leaves of the plant can also be individually removed from the stems and spread on a screen outdoors that allows for plenty of air circulation.
- After a day or two in the sun drying, the leaves should be ready to store.
Dehydrating
- Remove the leaves from the stems and wash and dry them.
- Place the leaves on your dehydraters racks, making sure they are not touching.
- Use a low setting of around 35˚C to 50˚C (95-120˚F) and dry until there is no moisture left.
Drying in the Oven
- Remove the leaves from the stems and wash and dry them.
- Place the leaves on lined oven trays, making sure they are not touching.
- Dry in the oven that is set at its lowest temperature - or 77˚C (170˚F) - leaving the door slightly ajar. Place a heat-proof spoon in the door if possible.
- Make sure to keep an eye of them for any burning or browning.
Condition
- After the stevia leaves are dry, condition before storing for up to 12 months.
- To use:1 cup of sugar = 1 teaspoon of dried stevia powder or 1 teaspoon of stevia extract
- 1 tablespoon of sugar = ¼ teaspoon of stevia powder or around 7 drops of stevia extract
- 1 teaspoon of sugar = just a pinch of stevia powder or 3 drops of stevia extract
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. The values may vary according to the ingredients and tools that are used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed information.
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