Is stevia in the raw chemically processed?

January 7, 2026 •

2 min read

Steviol glycoside, the sweet compound in stevia, is up to 400 times sweeter than sugar and requires processing before being sold commercially. Given this, many people wonder: is stevia in the raw chemically processed? The simple answer is yes, the extract used in commercial products like Stevia In The Raw undergoes a multi-step purification process involving chemicals to isolate and refine the intensely sweet components from the plant's leaves.

Quick Summary

The commercial sweetener Stevia In The Raw is not a 'raw' product from the leaf but a purified extract blended with other ingredients. The process involves soaking the leaves in water, filtering the liquid, and further purifying the extract with food-grade solvents to create the refined product available in stores. Dextrose or maltodextrin is added as a filler to create a measureable product.

Key Points

Not a raw product: Stevia In The Raw is a highly purified extract, not the raw leaf.
Chemical extraction: The sweet compounds are isolated using a multi-step chemical process.
Blended with fillers: Dextrose is added to make packets measurable.
FDA approval: Only high-purity extracts are FDA-approved as GRAS, not whole-leaf stevia.
Safe for consumption: Health authorities confirm the safety of high-purity stevia extracts.
'Raw' is a marketing term: The name indicates origin, not an unprocessed product.

Understanding the 'Raw' in Stevia In The Raw

While Stevia In The Raw originates from the stevia plant, the name can be misleading as the final product is not the unprocessed leaf. The sweet component, rebaudioside A (Reb A), must be isolated and refined to eliminate the bitter aftertaste associated with raw stevia. High purity steviol glycosides are the only form approved by the FDA for use as a food additive in the U.S., not whole-leaf stevia or crude extracts.

The Extraction and Purification Process

Producing commercial stevia extract involves several steps to isolate the sweet glycosides and remove impurities. For more details on the typical process, refer to {Link: Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-stevia-safe}.

The Role of Additives: Dextrose and Maltodextrin

Stevia extract's high potency requires bulking agents for accurate measurement. Stevia In The Raw uses dextrose in packets and maltodextrin in baking bags for this purpose. Dextrose is a corn-derived carbohydrate providing volume, and maltodextrin, also from corn, helps achieve cup-for-cup sugar equivalence in the baking version. These additions mean the final product is a blend, not a raw item.

Comparison of Stevia Types


Feature	Whole Leaf Stevia	High Purity Stevia Extract	Stevia In The Raw (Packets)
Processing Level	Minimal (dried and ground leaf)	Highly Processed	Highly Processed and Blended
Sweetness Compound	Steviol glycosides (variable mix)	Primarily Rebaudioside A (Reb A)	Primarily Rebaudioside A (Reb A)
Additional Ingredients	None	None (in pure extract form)	Dextrose, Stevia Leaf Extract
Legal Status (USA)	Not FDA-approved for food use	FDA-approved as GRAS	FDA-approved as GRAS (as a blend)
Taste Profile	May have a bitter, licorice-like aftertaste	Clean, intense sweetness	Balanced, less intense sweetness due to filler

Is Chemical Processing a Health Concern?

The use of chemical solvents is reviewed by regulatory agencies like the FDA, which have found purified stevia extracts safe when processed correctly. Food-grade chemicals are used for separation and removed during purification, ensuring no residues. The safety is supported by studies and health authorities globally. Some producers use water-only extraction, but the product is still a blended extract. The International Food Information Council confirms the safety of stevia sweeteners for reducing added sugars.

Conclusion

Stevia In The Raw is chemically processed and blended with ingredients. While originating from the plant, 'Raw' refers to its source, not its final, unprocessed state. The extraction and purification process uses food-grade chemical solvents that are subsequently removed. Unprocessed whole stevia leaf lacks FDA approval for commercial food use. The final, refined product's safety is widely recognized by health authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, they are very different. The commercial product is a highly processed and purified extract blended with other ingredients, whereas the fresh stevia leaf is the unprocessed plant itself.

The main ingredients are dextrose, a corn-derived carbohydrate, and a high-purity stevia leaf extract (Rebaudioside A).

Dextrose acts as a bulking agent. Because stevia extract is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, it's blended with dextrose to make it easier for consumers to measure and use in beverages and recipes.

It is derived from a natural plant source, but the product itself is the result of significant industrial processing. The term 'natural' on many such products is a marketing claim and does not mean it is unprocessed.

No, the chemicals used in commercial processing (like food-grade alcohol) are removed during purification. The FDA and other health organizations have deemed the final, highly purified stevia extracts as safe for consumption.

While both are processed stevia extracts, they use different bulking agents. Stevia In The Raw uses dextrose or maltodextrin, while Truvia is blended with erythritol.

Yes, you can grow and use the whole stevia leaf at home. However, the FDA has not approved unprocessed whole-leaf stevia for commercial food production due to a lack of safety data.