Drying method for stevia

The leaves were dried using one of the following methods: (a) air drying
at shade and room temperature (25 °C); (b) sun drying; (c) drying in a
hot air oven at 60 °C; (d) drying in a hot air oven at 80 °C; (e) drying in a
hot air oven at 100 °C; (f) drying in a microwave oven at 800 W; (g)
freeze drying.
The method we choose is sun drying method

Drying Stevia
This can be done by hanging stems or leaves in bunches, as you would
with other herbs. Or remove the leaves from the stems and spread them
on a non-metal screen outdoors with plenty of air circulation. A day in
the sun should suffice. You can use a food dehydrator, or even an oven
on low - 140 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Indirect solar drying was observed to have superior conditions, moderate
drying times,
better control of the operating conditions and greater protection against the
effects of temperature compared
with direct exposure to solar radiation
1) The drying of the plant and leaves of Stevia is typically achieved by
direct sunlight exposure or by ovens.
. Branches
should be exposed to the sun for 4–6 h. It is suggested that the best time
to collect and store the leaves is when they become brittle with 10–12%
humidit
How to Make Stevia Powder
Once your stevia is fully dried, separate the leaves from the stems, and
grind the leaves as finely as possible. A mortar and pestle works well,
as does a spice grinder or a coffee grinder. The result will be a
wonderfully fragrant, green almost-powder. Stevia is green - the white
stuff is highly processed with a lot of chemicals you don't want to eat.
Feel free to use the freshly ground herb right away, or store it in a dark
glass bottle or jar for future use.

SOLID LIQUID MIXING :

The solid/liquid blender is designed for the dissolution of solids in the
applications of the food-processing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and
chemical industries. Dissolution of sugar for the beverage production,
milk reconstitution, syrup production, brine preparation, yogurt and other
milk product premixtures and ice-cream production are some of its
applications.

Operating principle
It is a recirculation system for dissolution of solids. The product is
recirculating while the solids are manually or automatically added
through the hopper of the blender.
Several preparation tanks can be connected to the blender by means of
a manifold.
Their basic working principle lies in the high velocity of circulation
through the diffusor which generates a Venturi effect, with the
consequent suction of the solids from the hopper.
Once incorporated these are mixed thoroughly producing dissolution,
and by means of recirculating we achieve a completely homogenous
mixture.

Advantages of using blender for mixing

. blenders offers modern solutions to prevent common mixing problems
while still maintaining low costs for personnel, cleaning, disposal and
energy. These solutions are inline machines for inserting solid and liquid
additive compounds.