Substituting Agave (and others) for Stevia Leaves

[The Mucusless Kidd]

Hi, I was wondering if I wanted to substitute Agave and other sweeteners called for in Raw recipes with fresh raw whole Stevia Leaves, whole dried leaves, or whole leaf powder, what would be the conversion calculation equalization ?

If it is different, what would be the conversion calculations for:

Agave Syrup to = Stevia
Agave Nectar to = Stevia
Yacon Syrup to = Stevia
Sucanat to = Stevia
Honey to = Stevia

Plus any others you feel I should know -- But for now, most of the recipes call for Agave Syrup, and it just kills me, because most Agave is not only NOT raw (no matter what the label says) (admit that SOME is though possibly), but mainly, it is really not good for you at all. As a matter of fact, it is quite damaging, similar to sugar. So I've always substituted it with raw honey (1 for 1), but honestly, I want to get away from honey as well as it is a concentrated sweetener that (like Agave) has similar effects as sugar on the body.

And a great thing about Stevia, is, not only is it so much better on the body, and is a whole natural food herb, BUT I was thinking it may do better in the foods as far as consistency, textures, etc.. cause it can take the form of "sugar" (powder) which really is the original ingredient form in these recipes in the first place. Which is why I am confused why it isn't called for in the first place in these recipes ?

Thanks in advance -

[GlimR]

I'm sorry I don't know the conversion...I would just go light and add to taste. Dates work great as a sweetener. I recently started covering them with coconut water and letting them dissolve into a paste, keep in a jar in the fridge.........delicious!

[The Mucusless Kidd]

I'm sorry I don't know the conversion...I would just go light and add to taste. Dates work great as a sweetener. I recently started covering them with coconut water and letting them dissolve into a paste, keep in a jar in the fridge.........delicious!

Thanks for the reply Glim. Yea that is a good idea, I could always just do it to taste, but I was hoping someone had a sweetener conversion for me for Stevia vs all other sweeteners.

I do use date paste a lot as a sweetener, but sometimes, especially with white fillings, I can't use Dates. BUT you are absolutely right, they are frickin GREAT !! And honestly they are my sweetener of choice when the color is acceptable. Sweetening with fruit is really the most natural way and therefore the best way for the body IMO.

Hey, great idea about soaking them in Coconut Water !!! I never did that. And I will be trying that asap ! :dance: I always got some coconuts around cause I love'em.

Anyway, anyone else that can chime in with some conversions would be great. Please do.

[GlimR]

Here you go~

Granulated Sugar........Dry Ground Whole Leaf Stevia Measurement
1 teaspoon..............1/8 teaspoon
1 tablespoon............3/8 teaspoon
1/4 cup.................1 1/2 teaspoons
1/2 cup.................1 tablespoon
1 cup...................2 tablespoons

[The Mucusless Kidd]

Here you go~

Granulated Sugar........Dry Ground Whole Leaf Stevia Measurement
1 teaspoon..............1/8 teaspoon
1 tablespoon............3/8 teaspoon
1/4 cup.................1 1/2 teaspoons
1/2 cup.................1 tablespoon
1 cup...................2 tablespoons

AWESOME !!!! Thanks so much !

Wow, so Stevia is 8 times as sweet as sugar 8 to 1 (to our taste buds). That is amazing.

And I do believe honey and Agave is twice as sweet as Sugar (correct me if wrong). So the proper figuring for Agave and Honey to Stevia would 4 to 1 ?