Stevia (Meethi Patti) as an alternative form of sugar

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a herb. Stevioside, non-caloric sweetener present in the leaves of Stevia are non-nutritive, non-toxic, high-potency sweeteners and being 300 times sweeter than sucrose may be alternate for sucrose as well as other synthetic sweeteners. This review summarizes history of Stevia, nutritional composition of Stevia, cultivation, industrial overview and biological applications. Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana, Stevioside, Sweetene