Our love affair with cacao continues with this recipe, courtesy of Arctic Power Berries. Can you blame us? The look of this home-made raw chocolate made with coconut and organic sea buckthorn powder alone is enough to make us drop our plans for the evening and get busy in the kitchen! Not only is cacao delicious, but it is also a superfood which has positive effects on brain, body and mood. So bring it on (in dark form only and moderation, of course)!
The sea buckthorn powder by Arctic Power Berries is one of three powder variants, which also include cranberry and blueberry. We are fans of them all, as we love a new way to get our daily dose of superfoods – especially when they look this beautiful! The bright berry hues of the powder have made them an instant hit in our kitchen: we love to sprinkle them in our smoothies, desserts and salads, to add a boost of flavour, colour and vitality!
The berries hail from Finland, where Anna and Eveliina, the brains behind Arctic Power Berries grew up. In their homelands, berries are widely regarded as ‘superfood’ as they contain essential vitamins and nutrients. The berries are raw and air dried in low heat (below 40 degrees) in order to preserve their nutritional values, meaning that one teaspoon of berry powder is equal to a handful of fresh berries.
So, instead of reaching for a mass-produced chocolate bar next time, why not try this gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free treat instead? It’s quick and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw coconut oil
- 1/2 raw cacao powder
- 3 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup
- Banana/coconut chips
- 1 tbsp Arctic Berries sea buckthorn powder (or cranberry or blueberry!)
- Add sea salt if you wish
Method
1. Melt the coconut oil in low heat (to retain it’s raw state) and remove from the heat as soon as it is melted.
2. Add the cacao powder and whisk until they are completely combined.
3. Add honey/maple syrup, crushed banana/coconut chips, sea buckthorn powder (and sea salt if you wish!).
4. Pour the chocolate into moulds or on a baking sheet and let it set in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
Super Berries: An Overview
Blueberry
- Blueberries are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. They are also full of dietary fibre and very low in fat
- They are great for skin as they help neutralise free radicals, which cause ageing and skin cell damage. As such, they help in fighting wrinkles, premature ageing and acne. In fact, high concentration ofpectin (a type of fibre found in blueberries) is seen to clear intestinal toxins that may contribute to acne.
- They are great for boosting the immune system and preventing infections, as they are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids such as anthocyanin. They are also rich in zinc, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese.
Cranberry
- Cranberry is rich in fibre, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. They are also rich in anti-oxidant, which have been proven to develop the immune system
- Rich in anti-ageing properties, so can help to target skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis or dermatitis.
- Great for weight loss and aiding the detox process and digestive system, as they are very low in calories.
- Studies have shown that cranberries can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney and bladder problems and help fight cancer.
- Cranberry helps in preventing urinary tract infections due to the unique compound Proanthocyanidis, a unique compound found in cranberries, which reduces the amount of harmful bacteria building on urinary tract walls.
Sea buckthorn
- Sea buckthorn berry contains over 190 different nutrients, omega fatty acids, more than 60 antioxidants and an extremely high content of vitamin C. Its vitamin C content is seen to be over 10 times higher than in oranges. It also contains necessary micronutrients such as zinc, potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium
- Great for boosting wellbeing as it’s rich in essential vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E, K which also assist in the functioning of the brain and nervous system.
- Due to its anti-aging properties, it’s a skin-booster and can even be applied to heal wounds, burns and any kind of skin damage. As it’s rich in omega 3,6,9 (and the rare omega 7) fatty acids, it’s good for maintaining skin and hair health. It helps support healthy cardiovascular function, digestive system, brain and nervous system functioning.
- It’s laden with vitamin B12, which normally appears only in meat – as such as they are beneficial for vegetarians.
- The Antioxidants, flavonoids and carotenoids support cell reproduction. Anti-inflammatory components support good cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and preventing atherosclerosis.
