Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. Known for its intense sweetness, often 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, it is used in baking to reduce calorie content while maintaining flavor. Stevia's key properties include its heat stability and zero-calorie profile, making it ideal for health-conscious baking. Its flavor is characterized by a slight licorice aftertaste, so it's often blended with other sweeteners to balance taste and enhance the overall flavor of cookies, cakes, breads, and pastries.