Here's sugar alternative you can grow at home
Q. What is the herb that can be used instead of sugar? Can we grow it here in Cabarrus County? This herb is called stevia that is a common name for Stevia rebaudiana, a non-nutritive sweetener. For centuries, South American people have been using stevia leaves to sweeten their food, beverages and even medicines.
Stevia is about 10 times sweeter than sugar. The stevia substitution equivalence is as follows:
Sugar Stevia
1 cup 1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon 1/4 teaspoon
1 teaspoon 1/16 teaspoon
As you can see by the equivalent measures, you can get the effect of sugar's sweetness with much less stevia, and stevia has zero calories.
Although used extensively in other countries, stevia is not sold as a sweetener in the United States. You can buy stevia in packages at local health food stores, where it is sold as a dietary supplement, or you can grow your own.
It is a perennial plant, but in our climate we have to grow it as an annual or as a houseplant. It is difficult to grow from seed, so most people purchase small plants.
Here is how to incorporate it into your garden space:
• Wait until all danger of frost is past before transplanting stevia into your garden.
• Rows should be about 20 to 24 inches apart, and plants need to be spaced about 18 to 20 inches apart. Stevia can grow about 30 inches tall, so be sure to take into account your sun/shade ratio.
• Soil amendments are similar to that of most garden plants, so adding some compost and fertilizer will enhance the growing process.
• The root system is somewhat shallow, and given the plant height of 30 inches, you may have to use some support for mature plants. It is important to keep the stalks upright. Also, the root system is sensitive to excess moisture, so drainage is important, while the compost will keep the stevia from drying out.
• Fertilizer with low nitrogen content is recommended. Organic slow-release nitrogen fertilizer will work well for growing stevia.
• The sweetness value of stevia is intensified by the cool autumn weather. When you are ready to harvest the plants, they should be in their seed-bearing stage. Cut the branches and strip off the leaves. It is the leaf portion of the plant that will be used as a food sweetener.
• To process the leaves for use in food, it is important to dry them. Good air circulation is needed for the drying process, and stevia leaves can be easily dried in full sun in about 10 to 12 hours. You can use a home dehydrator, but sun drying will provide the best quality of sweetness.
• Finally, the dried leaves need to be crushed. You can do this in an electric grinder to achieve the finest texture possible.
If you want to learn more, come to the herb festival April 8, where one of the speakers will talk about stevia.
GOT A QUESTION?
Send your question for the Master Gardeners to Cabarrus Neighbors. E-mail cabarrus@charlotteobserver.com, fax it to (704) 786-2185, send regular mail to 371 Concord Parkway N., Concord, NC 28027. Or send your question directly to Cabarrus extension horticulture agent David Goforth at David_Goforth@ncsu.edu, call him at (704) 920-3320 or fax to (704) 792-0539.
Carmen Mallette is a Cabarrus County Master Gardener Volunteer. Master Gardeners Q&A is a regular feature in which the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cabarrus County answer your questions about gardening. The Master Gardeners receive special training through the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, then volunteer their expertise to residents throughout the county.