What is it? "The Herb Sweeter than Sugar "

Tish, the owner of the Health and Herb Shop in the Center Mall Knew about it. The Bob Williams Nursery in Indio knew about it. People in Japan, China, India and South America know about it and have used it for many years,

I had never heard or it nor tasted it. What is it? It is Stevia rebaudiana, AKA candy leaf or sugar leaf - an herb with edible leaves sweeter than sugar! An attractive plant- full sun, well drained soil, white flowers, grows to ten or twelve inches tall. I planted one in my yard yesterday and expect to use it in salads, chopped or diced in vinaigrette and other uses...as I think of them or hear about them.

According to Tish and Wikipedia, the plant has a history - some of it political! It is native to semi-arid areas from North America to South America. Native peoples of South America have been aware of it's properties for centuries. Stevis extract, both in powdered and liquid forms contain thirty to Forty-five times the sweetness of glucose. It also offers myriad purported health benefits. The extract was first commercialized in Japan in 1971. It is only since 1995 that the F. D. A. has permitted it's use as a " dietary supplement ".

Tish has given samples of the powdered form of the sweetener to The Fudge Factory . You can try some there, with your coffee. But...what an opportunity for the Desert Gardeners ! Who thought we could even grow our own Sweet N Low or Asparatame?