Due to the high intake of sugars, especially sucrose, global trends in food processing have encouraged producers
to use sweeteners, particularly synthetic ones, to a wide extent. For several years, increasing attention
has been paid in the literature to the stevia (Stevia rebauidana), containing glycosidic diterpenes, for which
sweetening properties have been identifi ed. Chemical composition, nutritional value and application of stevia
leaves are briefly summarized and presented.