Abstract: A process is provided for obtaining diterpene glycosides which process extracts such diterpene glycosides from plant or botanical material so as to provide a product which is high in content of such diterpene glycosides, and substantially free of bitter tasting tannins. This advantageously provides a product which can be used as a sweetener material.

Abstract: The process includes obtaining a liquid extract from a fresh plant source material and mixing the extract with a solution saturated with at least one element having an oxidation number of one or two or combinations thereof. The resulting mixture provides for a solid precipitate material and a liquid portion containing the triterpene glycosides of which is then passed through a macroporous resin. The resin is then washed with an alcohol to obtain a solution thereof containing the triterpene glycosides. The solution is condensed to provide a purified liquid triterpene glycoside solution and then a drying step is performed to obtain a dry composition containing the triterpene glycosides.