Abstract: A commercially viable method is provided herein for isolating and purifying steviol glycosides from a source containing the steviol glycosides. The method includes the first step of passing an organic solution containing the steviol glycosides through a chromatographic column, where the packing medium in the column has been compressed substantially to avoid voids therein, and then the packing medium is maintained under a pressure of up to about 1500 psi to thereby provide an organic solution containing impure stevioside derivatives.