What is stevia?

[Ginevra]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #241 "Opposite Meanings (3)", question 5

I don't like to use artificial sweeteners in my coffee. I prefer ......... sweeteners like sugar or stevia.

(a) sour
(b) natural
(c) rocky
(d) salty

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #241 "Opposite Meanings (3)", answer 5

I don't like to use artificial sweeteners in my coffee. I prefer natural sweeteners like sugar or stevia.

Correct answer: (b) natural

Your answer was: correct
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What is "stevia" ?

Thanks and regards

[Beeesneees]

A natural sweetener, apparently!
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Cheers m' dears!

[Ginevra]

Thanks, I may understand that...
I just wonder how stevia looks like or/and how it is makes of ?
brown sugar?
honey?
Thanks again

[Cristina.ro]

Hi Ginevra,

I was intrigued by this because in my country, what we call 'stevia' is a green leafy vegetable which we use to make salads or stews; it is quite similar to spinach.

Now, I did not take the time to read all of the Wiki article but this plant that they call 'stevia' in English seems to be entirely different: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia
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Just remember... if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!

[Ginevra]

Thank you Cristina: I never heard about stevia and when I looked up this word on the dictionary, I found nothing.
I believe that stevia is not in ordinary usage here in Italy.

Well, I learnt a new thing!
bye

[Beeesneees]

Hi Cristina, My answer was a little flippant. I've never heard of it before, but it seems to be an American product.
http://www.stevia.com/
http://www.stevia.com/Stevia_Article/Frequently_asked_questions_FAQ/2269
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Cristina.ro]

Hi Bee,

I managed to dig out the Latin name (Rumex patientia) for the leafy vegetable that we call 'stevia' in Romanian and then I could easily find over the internet the English equivalent of the same word -- spinach dock/garden sorrel.

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/ancient/wild-food-entry.php?term=Sorrel
http://greenlifeinsocal.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/french-sorrel-in-tomato-bisque/

Now don't wrinkle up your nose and say something like: 'but that is slug food!'... :-)
I don't like eating it raw myself, but I think creamy stews made from it are delicious and the soups which have sorrel leaves mixed in (or the soups where sorrel is the main star) are very refreshing.
_________________
Just remember... if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!

[Beeesneees]

Hi Cristina,

Of course I don't consider it to be slug food.

More like rabbit food ;)
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Cheers m' dears!