My stevia is ready to cut. How do I dry the leaves so a processor will accept them at a good rate?
2 Answers
Strip or cut the leaves and dry them quickly in shade with good air flow rather than harsh sun, because gentle drying preserves the green colour and the sweet glycoside content that decides the price. Spread thin layers so the leaves dry evenly without sweating or moulding, and stop when they are crisp and crumble. Keep the leaf clean and free of stem, weeds and dust, since processors test for quality and purity. Store the dry leaf in clean dry bags away from moisture to prevent fungus and loss of sweetness. Good green colour, full dryness, cleanliness and minimal stem are your quality targets. Confirm the exact moisture and quality standard with your processor before drying the whole harvest, since requirements vary between buyers.
Quick shade drying kept the sweetness and colour. Slow or damp drying made the leaf go dark and the buyer cut the rate.