Acaí berry powder
Acaí berries grow on the Acaí palm tree in the Amazon. The fresh berries have up to 50% fat, which makes them very hard to ship as they go rancid quickly. Therefore the berries are freeze dried. The powder maintains the nutrition during the freeze drying process only water is being removed. The end product is in a concentrated format, making it easier to ship. Acaí powder has an impressive array of nutrition. It has a very high antioxidant level (ORAC; 102.700 per 100 g, compared to blueberries with an ORAC of 3.200 per 100 g). It is rich in omega fatty acids (6 and 9), fibre, calcium, potassium, vitamin B, C and E. It builds up the collagen and connective tissue, so you can expect a smoother and more youthful skin!
Usage: In a glass of juice, yoghurt, smoothie, in raw chocolate or any raw dessert. You can also use it as a colorant, for example to make raw ice cream darker in color.
Taste: A neutral taste with a hint of black olives and cacao.
Dosage: 1 to 4 teaspoons a day. However you have to consume the powder for a long period of time to get it’s full benefit. Our bodies are exposed to so much damage and toxic that if you stop consuming acaí after a couple of weeks, it might not give you the effect you are after.
Agave nectar
Raw agave nectar is a sweetener, which is naturally extracted from the Agave, a Mexican cactus plant. It is 25% sweeter than sugar so you will need less. Agave has low GI and is suitable for people sensitive to sugar. Agave comes as light or dark coloured. Where the light one suits best for light fillings, such as vanilla fillings.
Taste: A neutral nectar taste, very light.
Usage: In anything you like to sweeten (teas, raw chocolate, drizzle over fruits / berries and so on). Ideal in raw chocolate making as the neutral sweetness blends well with other ingredients.
Dosage: Anything from teaspoons, tablespoons to cups.
Barley grass powder
Barley grass is similar to wheatgrass but it is more easier to digest. Barley grass has many nutritional and health benefits. Nutritionally young barley leaves contain all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and detoxifying compounds, proteins and enzymes. Barley grass has 30 times as much vitamin B1 as in cow milk, 3.3 times as much vitamin C, and 6.5 times as much carotene as in spinach, 11 times the amount of calcium in cow milk, nearly five times the iron content of spinach and seven times the vitamin C in oranges.
Taste: Greenish, sweet.
Usage: Add to water, juice, your green drink or smoothie.
Dosage: 0.5 to 1 tablespoon in a smoothie or green drink.
Carob powder
The carob tree grows pods that you can ground into a flour. People have been eating Carob for thousands of years. You can use carob as an alternative to cacao, as it is free from the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, that some people are sensitive to. Carob has a high amount of calcium, iron and potassium.
Taste: A deep earthy, bitter and sweet taste (it is sweeter than it is bitter). It smells of meringue.
Usage: You can use Carob in your smoothie, make truffles / chocolates, have it in pie crusts, fillings, cookies, cakes, ice creams etc.. Combining Carob with Cacao makes a deeper chocolate flavor.
Dosage: In a smoothie serving one, 1 or 2 tablespoons. For baking, any amount.
Cacao powder
Raw Cacao comes as powder, butter, nibs, in liquid form and as whole beans with or without "skin". There is a big difference between raw Cacao and roasted Cacao, both in taste, smell, consistency and nutrition. Raw Cacao is lighter in color, has a more complex taste and smell. Raw Cacao has all of the health boosting features intact to work in your body. One spoonful of raw cacao contains over 25 000 antioxidants, that is 955 ORAC per gram. The caffeine in Raw Cacao is also less stimulating than in roasted Cacao or coffee. Raw cacao contains over 300 phytochemicals. Some of them release serotonin that makes you euphoric, “PFA” is known to make us happy, focused and positive. Yet another component in raw cacao is “MAOs” that has an anti-aging effect plus is an antidepressant.
Usage: In smoothies, cookies, pies, fillings, candy, raw chocolate, puddings.
Taste: Depends on the bean. Our Criollo beans tastes bitter with multiple layers of earthly, sour flavors.
Dosage: Teaspoons to tablespoons depending on your liking.
Cacao butter
Raw Cacao butter is a product where the Cacao has been pressed of oil without heating above 105 F. The butter is hard at room temperature but melts in your mouth. If stored in a refrigerator, the Cacao butter will last for years, due to the high amount of natural antioxidants. It is easier to measure Cacao butter if you first crush and chop it into small pieces. Melt the cacao butter and use it as a liquid, or weigh it in pieces on a digital kitchen scale for an exact measurement.
Taste: Cacao butter has no taste, but has a wonderful chocolate aroma.
Usage: If you mix Cacao butter with Cacao powder and a sweetener, you get chocolate. Cacao butter is used in any raw dessert to create volume, smoothness, aroma and as a hardening agency.
Dosage: Depends on the recipe.
Cacao liquor
Cacao liquor does not contain any alcohol. Cacao liquor (aka cocoa mass) is a brown gritty mass produced by grinding up cacao beans/nibs. The natural cacao butter in the beans melts during the grinding allowing the cacao beans to become a paste as they are ground - called cacao liquor. After grinding cacao liquor will gradually become solid at room temperature.
To make your own raw chocolate, simply melt cacao liquor in a water bath, add agave nectar, a pinch of himalayan salt and vanilla from bean. Stir and pour in chocolate molds. Put in the freezer and after 30 minutes you have raw chocolate!
Usage: For raw chocolate fudge and truffles, chocolate sause, bars, candy etc.
Taste: Bitter cacao with an intense chocolate aroma.
Dosage: 250 g gives you a handfull of decadent raw truffles.
Cacao Nibs
Is the crushed cacao bean. It has higher amounts of fat and protein than cacao powder. Raw cacao contains over 300 phytochemicals. Some of them release serotonin that makes you euphoric, “PFA” is known to make us happy, focused and positive. Yet another component in raw cacao is “MAOs” that has an anti-aging effect plus is an antidepressant. Raw cacao helps to adjust our hunger so we only eat when we are hungry instead of emotional reasons. That’s why raw cacao can help in losing weight. One single tablespoon contains over 25.000 antioxidants! That is 955 ORAC per gram.
Usage: The nibs are wonderful to add in raw ice cream, cookies, sprinkle over cakes, pies, as decoration for truffles, in a trail mix / granola and much more! It adds a lovely chocolate crunchiness.
Taste: Depends on the bean. Our Criollo beans tastes bitter with multiple layers of earthly, sour flavors.
Dosage: In a smoothie, 1 to 2 tablespoons. For baking, any amount.
Camu camu powder
Is a berry from the Amazon forest. It contains more vitamin C per gram than any other food on the planet. A diet rich in vitamin C is important, as it gives you a clear, mental focus, a healthy nervous system and keeps your muscles tight and well nourished (muscles that lack in vitamin C becomes saggy). A full spectrum vitamin C from a natural source, like Camu is an essential nutrition for keeping your body's performance at maximum!
Usage and dosage: Add a teaspoon to your smoothies, energy balls and bars, fillings, ice creams and juices.
Taste: The taste is fresh with a hint of bitterness.
Chia seeds
Chia comes as seeds or flour. You can grind the seeds into flour by using a coffee grinder. They can be soaked to form a gel, or eaten just as they are. The gel makes an interesting texture to desserts. The seeds are very nutritious containing omega fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium. It can enhance durability and energy and was traditionally used for those abilities of the indigenous people of the Andean.
Taste: A very mild nutty flavor.
Usage: Soak them to make a chia pudding, add to your smoothie, crackers, raw chocolate or any dessert. Chia can be used as an alternative to nuts.
Dosage: Health benefits, 1 to 2 tablespoons in a smoothie, a chia pudding or a glass of juice.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a one-celled green algae. Chlorella is a powerful detoxifier of toxins such as DDT, PCB and heavy metals, as it has the highest amount of chlorophyll of any plant. If you have an autoimmune disease you should avoid Chlorella as it stimulates the immune system, triggering your symptoms. Also avoid when pregnant and breastfeeding. In addition to chlorophyll it contains 56% protein, vitamins like B, C, E, minerals like iodine, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, dietary fiber, nucleic acids, amino acids, enzymes, CGF (Chlorella Growth Factor) and other substances. The growth factor has an amazingly healing ability for wounded tissue and organs. It has an anti aging effect, increases an overall wellbeeing, energy levels as it provides cellular nutrition, improves digestion and promotes the growth of good bacterias in the gut.
Taste: Greenish, algae.
Usage: In juice, smoothies, your green drink or desserts.
Dosage: A person can not eat too much and overdose on Chlorella, it is a whole food, not a supplement. However, due to the detox symptoms you might want to start with a teaspoon a day and increase the amount weekly. Try to tune in to what amount your body asks for. Should you get any detox symptoms, decrease your intake, allow your body to adjust and increase your intake. You can eat as much as 8 teaspoons Chlorellapowder a day. Try to tune in to what amount your body asks for.
Coconut oil / butter
Cold pressed Coconut oil (”virgin”) is extracted from coconut. Contains about 50% lauric acid that kills fungus, bacteria and viruses and also strengthen the immune system. It’s in other words an effective treatment for candida. Breast milk is the only other natural source that contains such a high concentration of lauric acid, which could explain the drastic decrease of infections of all types in breast-fed babies.
Taste: Mild coconut, but with a more intense aroma of coconut.
Usage: In the raw food kitchen, Coconut oil is used to harden pie fillings, ice creams, puddings etc and to add volume and create a creamy texture and a lovely coconut flavour and aroma.
Dosage: For the health benefits, 2 tablespoons a day. For baking, any amount.
Gojiberries
Gojiberries have been used for thousands of years in China, Tibet and India for it’s health benefits. The rubin red berries are said to restore youth Gojiberries are an adaptogen herb. It means that it has an adjusting effect. If you are stressed you become more calm, if you are tired you become more energized, if you are disconnected you become centered. They are rich in vitamin C, A and iron along with antioxidants, amino acids, carotenoids and essential fats. Gojiberries enhance the metabolism which promotes weight loss.
Taste: Like slightly sour raisins.
Usage: Try mixing them with Cacao nibs or add them to your smoothie, make raw Goji fudge, Goji chocolate, use them for decoration, pop them in your smoothie etc.
Dosage: A handful a day is a good dosage. For baking, any amount.
Hemp seeds
Hemp comes hulled or un hulled seeds, in powder, as oil or butter. Hulled Hemp seeds can be used as an alternative for nuts in your desserts. They contain omega fatty acids, easily absorbed proteins and iron among other nutrients.
Taste: A green, creamy and nutty flavor. Goes very well with orange, zest or juice.
Usage: A lot! Use them whole in your granola / müsli, eat them as they are, mixed with raw chocolate, in crackers, in a smoothie, as a pie crust or raw pastry dough, in raw fillings and ice creams.
Dosage: Depends on the recipe. In a smoothie, 1 or 2 tablespoons.
Hemp protein
Hemp protein are the ground up shelled hemp seeds that has been gently dried into a powder. It has less fat and more proteins. Hemp protein powder is the ultimate food for any athlete as the proteins goes straight to the muscular cells. Hemp protein consist of edistin and albumin proteins which are the best quality proteins found in nature. Contains 21 amino acids (which makes it a complete protein), enzymes, fibre, minerals (iron, phosphorous and calcium) and vitamin E and a perfect balance of Omega fatty acids (3, 6 and 9) for human the human body.
Taste: A fresh, nutty, mild taste.
Usage and dosage: Add one or two tablespoons to your daily smoothie, make protein bars, add to chia pudding etc.
Hemp oil
The hemp seed oil contains 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (LA, 50-70%), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 15–25%) and Gamma-Linolenic_acid (GLA, 1–6%). The balance of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid in hempseed oil can satisfy our needs for EFAs very well. The ratio of Omega fatty acids (3, 6 and 9) in hemp oil are in a perfect balance for human consumption.
Taste: A fresh, nutty, mild taste.
Usage and dosage: Add one tablespoon once or twice a day in a smoothie. You can also ad it to a salad or swallow it as it is.
Lúcuma
Is a powder from a nutritious fruit from the Andean. The unique maple syrup-fruity taste of Lúcuma will lift your raw desserts to higher levels. In South America the Lúcuma flavored ice cream is more popular than chocolate or vanilla flavored ice creams! Lúcuma makes your fillings and smoothies more creamy. It contains fibre, lipides, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and vitamin C.
Usage: Add Lúcuma to any dessert, chocolate, smoothie and enjoy the uplifting and light sweetening effect. It works wonders in raw ice cream as it binds the ingredients together making your ice cream more creamy.
Taste: Fruity maple syrup. A light sweetening effect. Perfect for when you don’t want it too sweet.
Dosage: Use a couple of teaspoons or tablespoons if you like. For Lúcuma fudge, use cups.
Maca
Maca is a Peruvian herb and root vegetable. Dried maca root is rich in alkaloidal, minerals, and nutrients such as essential minerals (selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron), fatty acids and 19 amino acids, as well as polysaccharides. Maca can enhance our immune system, increase brain capability, and improves our bodily functions such as the sex drive. Andeans have been using maca root to increase their energy, to alleviate physical and mental tiredness, and to enhance their daily intake with various nutrients. In addition, it can also help us get rid
the problems caused by aging, and can prevent and cure osteoporosis and anaemia. It also regulates women's hormonal irregularities: menstruation, eases period pains, alleviates menopausal symptoms.
Taste: Maca has a piquant taste which has a resemblance to molasses and malt.
Usage: In any raw dessert or smoothie. Try it in raw chocolate!
Dosage: In a smoothie, 0.5 teaspoons and increase the dosage after time to 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.
Manuka honey
In a remote part of New Zealand grows the Manuka tree with it’s white flowers. The honey that has been collected by bees pollinating the Manuka trees is something extra. The Maoris knew this and used the honey for a wide array of health problems, such as colds, inflammations, burns, insect bites and wounds. Manuka honey is believed to be the honey with the highest amount of MGO (a measurement of antibacterial effect) and our Manuca honey has 10+. Modern science shows that small amounts of Manuca honey can kill streptococcus bacterias quickly. It gives protection against 80 different bacterias, it has a powerful effect against the MRSA bacteria (multi resistant bacterias found at hospitals).
Usage: In tea or just as it is.
Taste: Our Manuca honey does not have any added flavoring, yet it has a natural rustic vanilla flavor in it self.
Dosage: 0.5 to 4 teaspoons daily. Use as a remedy to aid a sore throat, boost your immune system or to enhance your wellbeeing.
Mesquite powder
Raw Mesquite is a light brown powder, which is made by grinding the pods from the Mesquite tree. Due to the amount of fibers, it balances your blood sugar and requires longer time to digest, therefore it prevents hunger. It also contains 16 % protein and 15 different important minerals. Mesquite is suitable for diabetics.
Taste: It tastes and smells like fudge and caramel and has a bit of a sweetening effect.
Usage: Mesquite makes your fillings, mouses and smoothies more creamy.
Dosage: In a smoothie a couple of teaspoons to one or two tablespoons.
MSM
MSM stands for Methyl-sulphyl-methane and is the third most common mineral in our body, still many are deficient in MSM. It is found in various foods, and used by our body to make important enzymes, antibodies, glutathione and connective tissues. MSM is important in the formation of keratin, collagen and elastin which give flexibility, tone and strength to muscles, bones, joints, internal membranes, skin, hair and nails. It is called “the beautifying mineral” as it aids any skin problem, promoting a beautiful, glowing skin and hair. MSM also is a great pain reliever for menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, back or neck pain, arthritis related pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, asthma etc. MSM may remove inflammation for example in the gut or skin. It detoxifies the body on a cellular level, and all the toxins that occurs during inflammation causing “brain fog”. It’s considered a powerful age fighter as it revitalises the cells to function optimal.
Taste: Bitter.
Usage: Add to water, juice, your green drink or smoothie.
Dosage: MSM is completely non toxic, at the same level of water. The body will absorb what it needs, and get rid of the rest via the urine (gets an orange color). The precise dose of MSM is not really that critical. For the first week, start with one teaspoon, next week add a teaspoon, and week three add another one. Larger doses of MSM may be needed to compensate for an extreme deficiency and depending on your situation. If you have a lot of pain you can increase your intake until you feel results. Once you see improvements continue same dosage for about 1 month, then reduce intake as general maintenance (1/2 teaspoon 2-3 times a day). Also, be aware that MSM increases your energy levels, so don’t take large amounts before you go to bed! (you won’t be able to sleep).
Purple corn
The purple corn powder from South America is rich in unusual antioxidants. Purple corn is regarded as a nutritious powerhouse because of its phenolic content, which are the most exciting natural nutritional group missing from the typical modern diet. It encourages connective tissue regeneration, and promote blood flow and reduce cholesterol. It also promotes collagen formation (great looking skin), improve microcirculation and help protect blood vessels from oxidative damage. Studies have shown that the consumption of foods with polyphenolic compounds is associated with reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Purple corn also has a role in the prevention of obesity, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.
Taste: A mild sweetness.
Usage: In smoothies, and any raw dessert to enhance creaminess and add a mild sweetness. You can use purple corn as a substitute for nuts in some cases.
Dosage: In a smoothie, a couple of teaspoons to a tablespoon.
Suma
Suma is a Brazilian herb used as a powder. Suma is an afrodisiac and also balances your body and creates homeostasis (perfect balance). If you are stressed you become more calm, if you lack of energy, you become energized or if you are disconnected you become more centered.
Suma is said to support hormonal balance, enhance immunity, increase libido, and a provide a number of normalizing and rejuvenating effects. One of its important properties is that it can increase oxygenation and energy efficiency at the cellular level. Suma contains germanium, beta-ecdysterone, allantoin, and a group of phytochemical saponins. Suma is also a popular food consumed by some athletes.
Taste: No taste.
Usage: In your desserts and smoothies to maximize your feel-good level.
Dosage: Half of a teaspoon 1 to 2 times a day, in a smoothie or a glass of juice.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a is a microscopic freshwater plant, an aquatic micro-vegetable/organism. It is a whole-food, not a concentrate, not an extract. For centuries Aztecs have been eating Spirulina. The earliest record reveals that it grew in Lake Texcoco, and was collected and sold as food. The first Spirulina manufacturing factory was established in 1970s. Spirulina is very detoxifying due to the high amounts of chlorophyll in it. It contains 65% protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin B, potassium and vitamin E. It is also very rich in bio available iron, and beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene helps the cells to communicate. It allows the body to find pre-cancerous and cancerous cells and send a signal for them to stop expanding.
Taste: Greenish, algae.
Usage: In juice, smoothies or desserts.
Dosage: A person can not eat too much and overdose on Spirulina, it is a whole food, not a supplement. However, due to the detox symptoms you might want to start with a teaspoon a day and increase the amount weekly. You can eat as much as 8 teaspoons a day. Try to tune in to what amount your body asks for.
Sunflower lecitin
Sunflower lecitin is made from the fat from sunflowers. It contains a high level of choline, which breaks up cholesterol in the body and it is vital for the proper functioning of the brain. Unlike soy lecithin, sunflower lecithin is 100% raw! Sunflower lecithin is useful in maintaining normal cholesterol levels as part of a low cholesterol diet and is also a rich source of phosphatidylcholine for the prevention of gallstones. The high levels of choline are necessary for healthy liver and brain function. It works as food for the good bacterias in your intestines and brakes down plaque in the blood vessels.
Taste: Neutral.
Usage: Works as a thickener and is used to create a creamy texture to your fillings, creams and puddings. Is the secret ingredient to great raw chocolate, as it adds crispness and gloss to the chocolate. It requires some processing to fully incorporate with the other ingredients.
Dosage: Small quantities. For a pie filling you only need a teaspoon.
Stevia, green
Contains no sugar, even so it is 10-30 times sweeter than cane sugar which makes it the sweetest natural substance. The sweet flavor comes from different types of glucose that isn't absorbed by the body. Stevia is free from carbs and calories, and with a GI of 0 (!). It doesn't affect the insulin levels, which makes it suitable for people with diabetes and candida. Just like xylitol, stevia will not fuel the bacteria that causes tooth decay.
Usage: Stevia don't have the richness of agave, yacon and mesquite, however if you combine stevia with the rich types of sweeteners you will get the best of two worlds. For frozen treats, stevia is the number one sweetener as other raw sweeteners get their sweet taste reduced when they are freezed.
Taste: Green stevia (the natural, unrefined kind) has a special aftertaste. Some people like to add a little Stevia to a recipe and then add a little less of the sweetener called for in the recipe. This way you don’t need to use that much Agave or Yacon syrup. This is also the best way to hide the special taste of Stevia. If you are making a dessert with strong flavors like cacao, you won’t be bothered though.
Dosage: Very small amounts, pinches.
Xylitol
Is a natural sugar that comes from birch trees. It looks just like cane sugar with beautiful sugar crystals. It has a low GI (7) and 40% less calories than cane sugar. Xylitol is safe to use considering tooth health.
Usage: Use it to sweeten desserts or your tea, as decoration, for example to roll balls and raw candy in it, or sprinkle it over the frosting on cakes.
Taste: Like cane sugar.
Dosage: Xylitol can have a laxative effect if you consume more than two tablespoons, so be a little careful to see how your body reacts to it.
Yacon syrup
Yacon is a root grown in the Andean from which the syrup is extracted. It is health booster, which strengthen the bones, lowers the bad LDL cholesterol, helps to lose weight and stabilizes the blood sugar. Yacon syrup is suitable for diabetics.
Taste: has a heavy sweetness, which is wonderful to use when you make fudge and caramel tasting sweets and desserts.
Usage: In anything you want to sweeten.
Dosage: Depends on the recipe. Sweeten to your liking.