Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus Reviews

Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus — 

Recently, my mother-in-law, who is diabetic introduced me to Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus, a powdered sugar substitute that can be used much the same way that Splenda, Equal or Sweet & Low are used.

Extracted from the Stevia plant commonly grown in South America, Stevia has been an Internet rage for several years due to its all All Natural designation.  I for one am always a little leary of the all natural designation keeping in mind that Deadly Nightshade shares this designation as well I believe does Coca leaves.

A number of years ago I was introduced to Stevia by a well meaning friend.  Back then, the product was not the white granular product being offered by Sweet Leaf, but rather, ground Stevia leaves that looked exactly like finely ground leaves!  I tried it.  It didn't leave much of an impression on me as a sugar substitute.  There's something about finely ground leaves floating on the surface of my iced tea that I found wanting.

Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus

Well Stevia has come a long way in the last few years.  This product comes in a white powdered form that dissolves instantly into your beverage.  When this product was purchased only months ago, Stevia could still only be sold as an herbal supplement, but recently the FDA has approved a Stevia product developed by Coca-Cola and Cargill to be marketed as Truvia.  So I guess it's official, Stevia is a sweetener.

My experience with Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus

I haven't consumed sugar-sweetened beverages in many years.  I've never cared for the syrupy taste and texture of sugar.  My sweetener of choice for the last few years has been Splenda (or its generic equivalent).  I of course was interested in comparing my experience with the two different sweeteners.

I do find that Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus does indeed have the sweetening power of Splenda, in that one similar size packet equals the sweetening power of 2 teaspoons of sugar.  On initial tasting of my morning coffee there is little if any difference.  However, after a short while I find that the Stevia produces a peculiar and not particularly pleasant after-taste in my mouth and coating on my tongue.  This has never been my experience with Splenda.  In the taste category I'd have to give the nod to Splenda.

Comparative Cost

If you're familiar with Splenda then you're aware that among main-stream artificial sweetners it is the most costly.  Even at BJ's Wholesale Club, 700 packets will cost about $13.  Their generic equivalent is about $3 less.

Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus however is in a price-class of its own.  The package I received contained 100 packets and cost $12.99.  So, while it is considerably less costly than cocaine, it is approximately 7 times more costly than Splenda.  I find that just a little too rich for my liking.

My Viewpoint

If you use Splenda and find it an acceptable sugar substitute I guess I would recommend you continue to do so.  Given the odd after-taste of Sweet Leaf Stevia Plus and its almost illicit drug price tag, I find this product difficult to justify.  It will be interesting to observe the pricing strategy developed by Cargill when they roll out Truvia shortly.  Stay tuned.

Rudi