then you pick up the leaf placing your forefinger behind the leaf, where the back of the stem is, and your thumb in front of the leaf to secure the leaf in place. then with your other hand you gently peel back the top of the leaf which pops the stem out.
you continue with this motion all the way down, until you have stripped the entire stem from the leaf, but have left the leaf completely still intact. when you reach the bottom of the stem, split the stem in two, all the way up to the base of the leaf. i have to admit, this takes a little finesse.
here’s 