Origins in South America
The story of how long people have been using stevia begins in the rainforests of Paraguay and Brazil, the native home of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It was here, more than 1,500 years ago, that the indigenous Guarani people first discovered and utilized the plant's remarkably sweet leaves. They called it ka'a he'ê, which translates to "sweet herb," and incorporated it into their daily lives.
- Sweetening yerba mate: The Guarani would add fresh or dried stevia leaves to their traditional bitter-tasting yerba mate tea to enhance its flavor.
- Medicinal uses: Beyond sweetening, the plant was valued for its therapeutic properties and used in folk medicine to treat various ailments.
- Simple pleasure: Sometimes, the leaves were simply chewed as a sweet treat.
This long period of traditional use demonstrates a deep cultural relationship with the plant long before it was introduced to the wider world. The knowledge of stevia's properties was preserved and passed down through generations within these indigenous communities.
Introduction to the Western World
While indigenous peoples had been using stevia for centuries, it remained largely unknown to Europeans until the 16th century, and only scientifically documented much later.
- First European contact (16th Century): European explorers first learned about the plant from indigenous populations during colonization.
- Scientific documentation (1899): Swiss botanist Moisés Santiago Bertoni formally described the plant, initially naming it Eupatorium rebaudianum.
- Chemical isolation (1931): French chemists M. Bridel and R. Lavielle isolated the sweet-tasting compounds, known as steviol glycosides, from the leaves.
These scientific milestones marked a new era for stevia, transitioning it from a regional folk herb to a potential commercial product. However, it would be decades before it gained international traction due to early research challenges and regulatory hurdles.
The Rise of Commercial Stevia
The commercial journey of stevia began in Japan during the 1970s, where it emerged as a natural alternative to banned artificial sweeteners like saccharin. This was a pivotal moment that cemented stevia's place in the modern food industry.
Japan's pioneering role
Japanese researchers successfully developed the first commercial stevia-based sweetener in 1970. Its popularity grew rapidly, and Japan became a leading consumer of stevia products, incorporating it into everything from soft drinks to candy. This widespread Japanese acceptance helped drive further research and development into stevia's sweetening compounds.
The long road to Western acceptance
Regulatory agencies in the US and Europe were initially hesitant to approve stevia, citing concerns about its safety and a lack of sufficient long-term research. The journey to global acceptance involved overcoming several obstacles.
| Decade | Event | US Status | Global Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | Japan begins commercial production and widespread use. | Crude extract restricted to dietary supplement market. | Widely accepted in Japan and parts of South America. |
| 1990s | Broader interest grows, particularly in health-conscious markets. | Whole leaf and crude extracts allowed for use as a dietary supplement only. | Acceptance begins to grow in the Western world. |
| 2008 | High-purity steviol glycosides granted 'Generally Recognized As Safe' (GRAS) status by the FDA. | Approved for use as a food additive. | Major beverage companies launch products using purified stevia extracts. |
| 2011 | European Union approves stevia sweeteners. | Continued GRAS status for high-purity extracts. | Market opens up significantly, especially in Europe. |
Conclusion: A sweet history spanning millennia
The story of how long people have been using stevia is one of ancient traditions meeting modern innovation. What began as a local secret among South American tribes over 1,500 years ago has transformed into a global, multi-billion dollar industry. The plant's rich history, spanning millennia of indigenous use and decades of rigorous scientific scrutiny, highlights its journey from folk medicine to a mainstream, zero-calorie sweetener. Today, thanks to advancements in extraction and regulatory approvals, stevia stands as a testament to the enduring power of natural resources in shaping our food choices.
