MVR>Hello Sandra, Hope you're doing fine.
  I've had several good days in a row, thank you, Maria.
MVR>Our summers overh here are mostly wet and cool (about 68oF or below),
  That's still spring or autumn to us. :-)
MVR>normal nice summerweather here is with temps of 70/80oF.  Only during 
ast
MVR>2/3 years we've had some periods of around 90oF but than it's really very
MVR>muggy/soggy.
  That's our big drawback as well. If the heat doesn't get us, the
  humidity will. :-(
MVR>I'm just trying to taste some leaves!! :-) They are delicious to eat
MVR>directly from the plant.  Only need to take care to dry still some
MVR>otherwise I won't get any powder to use for any recipe.  I suppose that
MVR>when dried the taste gets much stronger sweet than the fresh leaves do
tast
  That's normally how herbs react to drying. I don't notice any bad
  taste (but the dry leaves taste to me like chamomile smells.) It's
  not the same as sugar - but if it can replace sugar w/o adding
  calories, I can forgive it for its differences! I'm wondering how to
  extract the sweet principle and leave the green leaves behind. Not too
  many people like tea that's green from floating bits. :-)
MVR>This weekend I got 2 Stevia plants! They finally arrived at the local
MVR>greenhouse/shop. The plant has a registered tradename "Stepa" and is the
  That's similar, if you'll remember that Stephen is pronounced Ste'ven.
MVR>result of research made at the University of Leuven here in Belgium.
There
MVR>is only one grower taking care of growing this special variety.
MVR>They also sell the  "Stepa" powders for use in meals and drinks.  
ogether
MVR>with the plant they deliver also a description of the plant and how to
MVR>treat it. There are some recipes in too.
  Howw do they get it ready for consumption? Is the powder merely dried
  ground leaves?
MVR>Information on the STEPA can be got on Internet : htt://www.stepa.be
MVR>Don't know if that homepage is in English but I guess so.
  I'll look it up one of these days.
MVR>Oh just see that it's not an Email address you're giving above. Could you
MVR>give me their Email because I don't have Internet, but I CAN send a mail
MVR>from Fido to an Email-address. Look forward to your reply....
  Their email address is orderdesk@richters.com. You'll treasure their
  catalogue. :-)
                       ...Sandra...
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