WTFCF S4, E5 Bonus Scene: Splenda Stevia Farms, A New American Industry

Splenda’s new stevia farm in Florida is the first of its kind in the United States. Thousands of plants produce millions of leaves that are then turned into plant-based stevia sweetener products. But how do they get the sweet stuff out?

Splenda’s new stevia farm in central Florida is the first of its kind in the United States. Thousands of plants produce millions of leaves that are then turned into plant-based stevia sweetener products. But how do they get the sweet stuff out?

Science! Wait… come back! It’s not scary science, it’s actually fun. The process is much the same way sugar is produced from sugarcane — it’s mashed and boiled and the syrup becomes sugar or other products.

It is the same kind of thing with stevia, as Chip Carter demonstrates here in the Where the Food Comes From bonus scene.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Heidi Exline with American Farmland Trust shares how their Farm to School initiative helps strengthen the connection between local farms and school food programs.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, notes that many heart-related conditions can be prevented through lifestyle changes.
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
FarmHER Katey Jo Evans joins us to share her journey from farm wife to entrepreneur and advocate for reducing food waste.