Granulation of a stevia sweetener

A method for producing a granulated Stevia sweetener comprising the steps of:

• A) reducing the particle size of a Stevia sweetener powder to a particle size of less than 260 μm before compaction;
• B) introducing the Stevia sweetener powder produced in step (A) to a roll compaction apparatus to produce a compacted material;
• C) breaking down the compacted material into granules having a particle size ranging from about 140 μm to about 680 μm and;
• D) fractionating the granules of step (C) to obtain a granulated Stevia sweetener having a particle size ranging from about 150 μm to about 260 μm, wherein the sequence of steps results in a granulated Stevia sweetener having a dissolution rate ranging from about 250% to about 280% greater than the dissolution rate of the Stevia sweetener powder produced in step (A).