A sugar alternative, liquid stevia is made from a sweet herb. Liquid stevia can be used to sweeten cold drinks, as it combines with a chilled beverage far more uniformly than sugar, which can end up at the bottom of the glass instead of combined with the liquid. Liquid stevia can also be used in place of most syrups, although it has a more potent flavor and so should be used sparingly.
Fruit smoothies are often hard to sweeten, as the flavor of the sweeteners does not often get mixed evenly throughout the smoothie. Liquid stevia is a choice ingredient for sugar-free mango and blueberry smoothies, among other varieties. It is also a popular addition to cranberry punch, as it does not overly sweeten the tart juice of the berry.
Japan is a country that strongly favors the use of liquid stevia as a sweetener for many of its commercially made foods that do not contain any sugar. Japan is one of a number of countries that has long used this liquid sweetener. In Japan it is used to make traditional Japanese pickles, dried seafood, and fish meat products. It is also used in the formulation of many Japanese soy sauces that are singularly marketed within the country.
Liquid stevia is a popular sweetener used in Paraguay. There it is most often used to flavor meat. It is also used in many popular herbal teas served in Paraguay. Though popular in a many places, there continue to be those countries that currently have banned the use or marketing of liquid stevia for any purpose.
While most commonly thought of as a sweetener, liquid stevia is also used as a flavoring. The flavored liquid comes in vanilla crème, which can be added to coffee; valencia orange, which can offer an interesting twist when added to tea; and chocolate raspberry, which when combined with milk can make a hot or cold drink that children may enjoy. These are just a few of the flavors stevia in liquid form comes in.
Liquid stevia is an ingredient in baked goods and is used in custards, pancakes, and pies. It can be utilized as substitute in nearly any place that refined sugar would be commonly used. Liquid stevia continues to be a popular choice for those opting not to use sugar.