Stevia SteviaLife India www.steviabiotech.com

Background on SteviaThe stevia plant has been grown, harvested and used in South America to sweeten foods and beverages for more than 200 years.The plant was discovered by the Guarani natives of Paraguay who used its leaves to sweeten drinks.In 1931, two French food-researchers isolated the sweet components of the stevia leaf.Consumers in Japan have been using stevia commercially for more than three decades, and today, stevia represents 40 percent of the country’s low- or zero-calorie sweetener market.Because rebiana begins with a leaf, supply is contingent upon the strength of the stevia crop.Over many years, Cargill has built a strong and consistent stevia supply chain in anticipation of launching TRUVIA natural sweetener, and has a dedicated staff on the ground and partner companies in key regions around the world supervising production and ensuring good stewardship of land and water. Today, one stevia plant yields enough rebiana for 30 six-ounce cups of coffee.