PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing a stevia extract to improve the quality, to simplify the manufacture and to realize decrease in the manufacture cost. SOLUTION: First, stevia stems after removing stevia leaves are dried to obtain powder, which is boiled in a pressurized state over the atmospheric pressure, and a solid content is removed to obtain an extract liquid. The extract liquid is heated and concentrated under reduced pressure. The extract liquid after concentration is subjected to primary fermentation by a fermenting machine, and the concentrated liquid after primary fermentation is further fermented and aged for 30 to 360 days to obtain a stevia extract. The potash produced during concentration is skimmed by using an about 50-number mesh. Impurities produced during fermentation and ageing are also removed. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
