Stevia sweeteners are made from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) plant. This plant is an herbal shrub native to South America.
The stevia plant has a long history of use for both food and medicinal purposes, spanning hundreds of years. Traditionally, its leaves and crude extracts have been sold as a dietary supplement. The sweet compounds extracted from the leaves are known as steviol glycosides. These compounds are then purified and processed to create the stevia sweeteners available on the market today.
In short, the key ingredient in stevia sweetener comes directly from the Stevia rebaudiana plant's leaves.
