Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Native to South America, it is widely cultivated for its naturally sweet leaves, which contain steviol glycosides, particularly stevioside and rebaudioside A. These compounds are up to 200–300 times sweeter than sucrose while providing virtually no calories, making stevia a valuable ingredient in the food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
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Applications and Benefits
Food & Beverage
- Widely used as a natural, zero-calorie sweetener.
- Added to tea, coffee, juices, and functional beverages.
- Used in dairy products, desserts, baked goods, and confectionery.
- Suitable for sugar-free and diabetic-friendly food products.
- Incorporated into natural sweetener blends and beverage formulations.
