| History | The sweet-tasting leaves were discovered long ago by the inhabitants of Paraguay and Brazil. |
| Synthesis | Stevioside is a glycoside occurring in the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana, a plant native to Latin America. Stevioside, which makes up 7% of the content of the dried leaves, is isolated through water or a mixture of water and alcohol and then purified. |
| Sensoric features/sweetening power | liquorice aftertaste
100-150-times |
| Characteristics |
| physiological | is converted in the body like a glycoside
toothfriendly and suitable for diabetics |
| technical | at high temperatures, its stability depends on the pH-value; it is more unstable in an acid medium
storage-stable |
| Situation of approval | Stevioside is approved in the countries of Asia and Latin America but not in the EU. Reservations have been expressed in the Scientific Council of the EU as a result of toxicological issues that have not been adequately resolved. |
| ADI value | not established |
| Fields of application | refreshing drinks
table-top sweeteners
sweets
Asian foodstuffs such as sauces and pickles |
