SWEET STEVIA HARVESTS AND STORAGE

The quality of your stevia depends on how you harvest and store it. The goal is to harvest leaves that will retain their sweetness. Follow these steps to keep your stevia in top condition.

Harvest stevia by cutting the leaves when they’re bright green and the plant is mature. Dry the leaves by air-drying or using a dehydrator. After drying, store the leaves in airtight containers, keeping them in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.

Ready to learn how to get the most out of your stevia harvest? Let’s get you some detailed steps for harvesting, drying, and storing stevia so it stays fresh and flavorful.

HARVESTING AND PRESERVING STEVIA

When the stevia plant is fully grown, harvest leaves while they are bright green, typically just before flowering. Use sharp scissors or garden shears, and prune carefully to encourage new growth. Drying is essential for preserving sweetness. Air-dry by spreading leaves in a single layer on a screen or cloth in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. A dehydrator can also be used for quicker, even drying and mold prevention. Once dried and brittle, store leaves in airtight containers, like mason jars, in a cool, dark place to protect them from light and humidity.

WHEN TO HARVEST STEVIA

As stevia matures, it produces more leaves and stems with light green, slightly fuzzy leaves. During this stage, steviol glycosides (the natural sweetener) are concentrated in the leaves. As the plant branches and grows bushier, regular pruning increases leaf production. Harvest when leaves are 2 to 3 inches long, oval-shaped, and medium green.

TIMING THE HARVEST

Best Time of Day: Morning, after the dew has dried, to capture the highest concentration of stevioside.

Best Season: Late summer to early fall, before flowering and the first frost, when the leaves are most concentrated with sweet compounds.

Times to Avoid: Afternoon heat, which causes moisture loss and flavor reduction. Also avoid harvesting yellowing or wilting leaves.

PRUNING STEVIA

Regular pruning keeps the plant bushy and encourages more leaves. Trim the top two to three inches, focusing on branch tips above leaves, to stimulate side growth and increase harvest.

DRYING STEVIA LEAVES: METHODS

Air Drying: Gather leaves in small bundles and hang in a warm, dry, ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight. Leaves dry in 1-2 weeks.

Dehydrator: Spread leaves in a single layer on dehydrator trays, set at 95-110°F. Dry for 6-12 hours, depending on leaf thickness.

Microwave Drying: Place a small amount of leaves between paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave in 20-30 second bursts until crisp, taking 1-2 minutes. However, there is a robust online debate on if microwaving foods decreases their nutrient value. This is not a favored method.

STORING DRIED STEVIA

Store dried stevia in airtight containers, like glass jars, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Proper storage can preserve flavor for up to a year.

OTHER PRESERVATION METHODS

Freezing Fresh Leaves: Place leaves in a freezer-safe bag, remove air, and freeze. Alternatively, make a paste with a small amount of water and freeze in ice cube trays.

Stevia Extract: Soak leaves in alcohol or glycerin for 24 hours, strain, and refrigerate.

Stevia Tincture: This is my favorite so I will spend a little more time explaining it. A simple way to make a stevia tincture is using vodka.

SUPPLIES:

fresh or dried stevia leaves
vodka (80–100 proof)
a clean glass jar with a lid (like a Kilner jar)
a cheesecloth or fine strainer
some small, dark glass bottles with droppers

Lightly chop the stevia leaves to release their sweetness, then put them in the jar. Pour vodka over the leaves until they’re completely covered. Leave a little space at the top. Seal the jar tightly, then place it in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks. Every few days, shake the jar to help with the extraction. I set my phone to remind me with alarms throughout the week.

After 2 to 4 weeks, strain the mixture using the cheesecloth or strainer. Press on the leaves to perserve as much liquid tincture out as possible. If you want a tincture with a milder alcohol flavor, you can gently heat the strained liquid on low for about 20 minutes, being careful not to let it boil.

Finally, pour the finished tincture into dark glass dropper bottles and store it in a cool, dark place. When stored properly, it should last for years. To use add a few drops to drinks or recipes. You may want to dilute it with water or juice if the alcohol flavor is strong when it comes time to use it.

Stevia Syrup: Simmer dried leaves in water until it thickens. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Stevia Powder: Grind dried leaves into powder with a spice grinder. Though your powder will be green, popular opinion is that it is the same flavor as the more processed pearly white stevia powders at the store. Store in an airtight container.

Infused Stevia Water: Steep fresh leaves in water to create a sweet infusion for beverages. Store in the refrigerator for a few days.

CAUTIONS ON STORING STEVIA: Like all your stored herbs, you should watch for signs that your stevia is past its prime. If your stevia tastes too bitter or rancid, it’s time to toss it. Always watch for mold on any of your stored herbs. If your stevia is stored in a liquid form, toss it if it becomes cloudy or pungent. If you keep a healthy garden you can refresh your supply with new stevia every year.

CONCLUSION

By harvesting, drying, and storing stevia properly, you can preserve its sweetness and enjoy natural flavor in recipes year-round, from teas to homemade products, all while avoiding processed sugars. I live in USDA zone six, so my sure-fire way to preserve my stevia through the winter is by keeping it in lovely pots on my windowsill above my kitchen sink. I propagate it all winter indoors so it is always fresh and ready for me to toss in my teas with my other herbs. With coarsely crushed fennel seeds, it’s like drinking warm licorice. I love it!

Pin it!