We only use natural and organic ingredients in our bars, including any flavourings. Each of our ingredients, including the flavourings, are functional foods in that they all have a nutritional benefit for you. We have recently written blogs on the health benefits of our main ingredients, such as cacao and Palmyra blossom nectar. These can be found in our blog section on our website. Now we would like to explain the health benefits of the flavourings used in each of our bars. This blog talks about the ingredients we use in Trinidadian Sorrel.
Trinidadian Sorrel
Trinidadian Sorrel is inspired by an African and Caribbean celebratory drink called Sorrel. It is flavoured with hibiscus, ginger, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and lime. We use organic hibiscus powder and spices in our cacao mix and a sprinkle of cacao nibs infused with essential lime oil on the top. This gives a fantastic texture and a burst of lime which goes wonderfully with the fruitless of hibiscus and warming spices perfectly – a taste of Christmas in each mouthful.
Health benefits of hibiscus
Hibiscus contains anthocyanins, the pigment that gives the hibiscus flowers their beautiful colour. It is also high in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and organic acids. Many of these compounds act as antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation, prevent damage to cells and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The antioxidants are also beneficial for healthy skin and hair.
Several studies have found that hibiscus can lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with metabolic syndrome, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol, and high body fat levels. Hibiscus has been found to help manage many metabolic syndrome symptoms, particularly lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Hibiscus is also beneficial for your gut. It is high in fibre and calcium, which benefit the good bacteria in your gut and also help the function of digestive enzymes.
As it is a source of iron, hibiscus also contributes to a healthy immune system. It helps red blood cells function normally and carry oxygen around the body. Iron also contributes to better cognitive function.
Health benefits of ginger
Ginger has been used for centuries in traditional and alternative medicine. It is commonly used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight colds and flu. Ginger has a wonderfully unique taste and smell from its natural oils, mainly gingerol. Its warming and spicy taste lend itself well to sweet and savoury dishes.
Gingerol is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which boost the immune system and help fight against infection and disease. It can also help to lower blood sugar levels and lower levels of bad cholesterol.
Health benefits of allspice
Allspice is the dried unripe berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, native to countries like Jamaica and South America. It tastes like a combination of several spices, mainly cloves, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Like ginger, it is used in savoury and sweet recipes.
Allspice is high in compounds that are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antioxidant. It boosts the immune system and helps prevent and fight illnesses. It also helps relieve aches and pains such as headaches and muscle cramps.
Health benefits of cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum trees. Like ginger, it has a unique smell and taste due to the natural oils it contains. The oils are high in a compound called cinnamaldehyde which has many health benefits.
These health benefits include high in antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and prevent and fight off illnesses. Cinnamon can help lower bad cholesterol and blood sugar, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cinnamon also contains anti-viral compounds which help fight off viruses like the flu.
Health benefits of cloves
Cloves are the flower bud of the clove tree Syzygium aromaticum. It has a pungent, aromatic taste and aroma and can be used in sweet and savoury foods.
It has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-ulcer properties. Cloves are good at boosting health, fighting infection, fighting bacteria and preventing ulcers.
Health benefits of lime
We use organic lime essential oil to infuse cacao nibs which are sprinkled on the top of our bars. Lime essential oil is both invigorating and healing. The compounds found in lime essential oil help with pain relief and mental alertness, reduce inflammation, anxiety, and boost mood.
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