Stevia Leaves
Stevia rebaudiana

And you thought licorice was sweet — "stevioside," a component of stevia, is up to 200 times sweeter than sugar. That makes stevia leaves the hands-down winner among sweet herbs, which may be why it is also known as "sweet herb." This one doesn't grow in the U.S. much yet, so supplies have to be imported, which has limited its use here except in dietary supplements so far. The plant is native to Brazil and Paraguay, where its leaves have been used for hundreds of years as an ingredient in teas and foods. Your sweet tooth is sure to find stevia a satisfying natural alternative to table sugar, and its slightly anise taste is a pleasant surprise.