Harvesting A Stevia Plant

Dubious06

Active Member

• Jul 16, 2010

• #1

I bought a stevia plant from home depot a couple months back, and it's getting rather tall. I know it's a natural sweetener, and I'm curious if anyone has actually harvested the plant for use. I know, I know, another weird plant question, but I appreciate any info from someone who's used this plant-- there's a +rep waiting for someone with good info! Thanks guys, cheers.

 

Dubious06

Active Member

• Jul 18, 2010

• #2

Nobody? I suppose it's time to look elsewhere. Thanks anyway, cheers.

 

Fallen Buckshot

Member

• Jul 18, 2010

• #3

i think its kinda like basil you just pluck a few leaves now and then

 

Dinosaur Bone

Active Member

• Jul 26, 2010

• #4

It Trichomes you are after. The Trichomes are 200 times sweeter than sugar. BAsicly you want to make Hash. A Hash tumbler should work. Bubble Bags might work too. OR shake it old school with a silk screen.

OF course, I don't see why you couldn't just dry it, and powder it with a coffee/ spice grinder.

 

svchop889

Well-Known Member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #5

Fallen Buckshot said:

i think its kinda like basil you just pluck a few leaves now and then

Click to expand...

Dinosaur Bone said:

It Trichomes you are after. The Trichomes are 200 times sweeter than sugar. BAsicly you want to make Hash. A Hash tumbler should work. Bubble Bags might work too. OR shake it old school with a silk screen.

OF course, I don't see why you couldn't just dry it, and powder it with a coffee/ spice grinder.

Click to expand...

both ways will be effective. you can cut a few leaves here and there or grow the whole plant huge and harvest all of it.

 

M

MakinProgress

Active Member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #6

I *almost* bought one of these bad boys yesterday... but after reading the post about trichromes, I so didn't want to have to go through all that work just to get the sweetener out of it.

I guess you COULD just chop a leaf up really small and use that in whatever cooking you're doing.

 

meetzu

Well-Known Member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #7

My girlfriend got one that I take care of. She just grinds up a couple leaves and lets them steep with her tea. She seems to be pleased with it.

 

Dubious06

Active Member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #8

Thanks for the help guys. It is looking rather trichome-ish, with the main stalk about 4ft. higher than the rest. I think I'll use it like I use my mint-- as needed. Thanks to all those who replied. I'm curious to see just how sweet this stuff really is.

 

svchop889

Well-Known Member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #9

you could probably also boil strain and reduce the liquid.