The temptation for something sweet is bound to occur; sometimes we are just sweet chasing yoyo fans. Although some of us are outright 'sweet tooth' followers others are less inclined for 'the sweet' while preferring pungent, bitter, salty or sour tastes. If you are about to take part in sport or have finished a hard physical activity you feel the need to boost up your energy.
Of course the quickest way to lift energy and give a sweet taste is through sugar. We may have refined sugar in drinks and snacks or in unrefined forms through fruits. There are types of syrups such as maple syrup. Maple syrup is highly famous in Canada. There the maple tree enjoys wide recognition and its leaf has been made a national symbol. Maple syrup is gained from the inner sap of the maple tree. Maple sugar is processed from the maple tree.
It is from sugar cane and sugar beet that we process molasses, brown and white sugar. Since syrups are high in sugar they may not be what we need sometimes. There are times when we have the craving for something sweet but do not necessarily need to raise our blood sugar up! Being lax; sitting at the office or lying on a couch at home and not being active may still sprout the craving for something sweet.
A perfect substance can provide something sweet without raising our blood sugar; that is stevia. Stevia gives you sweetness without concern on calories. The best is it can be used by diabetics with high blood sugar. We can purchase it as syrup, in powdered form or as dried leaves. It is versatile enough to replace sugar in hot and cool beverages; and adding a sweeter touch to any food.
Stevia has come all the way from its original habitat in South America. This plant enjoys warm weather but not excessive water! It is tasteful that this plant may not drink high levels of water yet it makes our drinks so sweet and enjoyable! Indeed stevia is actually an herb and we can grow our own stevia! For the greatest sweetness you have had, pick and chew on a stevia leaf! It is extremely potent and when we use it we need only a minor amount as it is far greater in sweet strength than sugar and honey or other syrups. Take the advice of taking a small section of the fresh leaf when you try it.
The level of sweetness varies according to the plants growing conditions. The nutrients in the soil have and do affect the health of plants. When you do plant stevia rely on taking a transplant (a section of the plant) rather than the seeds, which are harder to sprout. It is difficult to imagine that a leaf can be profoundly sweet until you have tried and tasted it for yourself. If you're fortunate to have this sweet plant nearby, and there may be times when you have a sweet tooth, then you might just pop in a green stevia leaf.