THE INVENTION PROVIDES METHODS OF PURIFYING REBAUDIOSIDE A FROM A MIXTURE COMPRISING GLYCOSIDES OF THE PLANT STEVIA REBAUDIANA. THE METHODS OF THE INVENTION ARE USEFUL FOR PREPARING HIGHLY PURE REBAUDIOSIDE A COMPOSITIONS FROM CRUDE STEVIA STARTING COMPOSITIONS THAT ARE TYPICALLY CONSIDERABLY LOWER IN REBAUDIOSIDE A CONCENTRATION. THE HIGHLY PURE REBAUDIOSIDE A COMPOSITIONS ARE USEFUL AS NON-CALORIC SWEETENERS IN EDIBLE OR CHEWABLE COMPOSITIONS SUCH AS FOOD, BEVERAGES, MEDICINE, CANDY, CHEWING GUM, AND THE LIKE.