Nature is full of nutrition-filled wonders and we are only just beginning to discover all their secrets. Some of these foods are easy to integrate to your diet and can add incredible colour and taste. Here’s a quick look at some of these still little known foods.
Lucuma
Lucuma is a fruit from South America once known as the Gold of the Incas. It looks like an avocado, but with orange flesh and a taste somewhere between the papaya and sweet potato. Lucuma is hard to find in Quebec, but you can find dehydrated Lucuma in powder form on our shelves. The powder can easily be added to oatmeal, yogurts and smoothies, and you can also use it to replace eggs in various recipes: 20 g of powder is the equivalent of one egg. It also acts as an emulsifier, meaning it allows you to combine water and oil together, so it can replace eggs in mayonnaise, too.
Pollen
Pollen doesn’t only make your nose run during allergy season; you can also add it to your dishes. Pollen is the male seed produced by flowers. Bees collect this pollen and bring it back to the hive where they use it to make honey. It’s full of nutrients, including antioxidants. Those suffering from seasonal allergies or who are allergic to bees or bee-derived products may, however, be at risk if they eat it. Pollen is also to be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as by children and seniors.
Mesquite
Mesquite powder comes from the pods of the mesquite tree that are dried and then turned into a powder. It has a sweet taste similar to hazelnut and caramel. It can serve as a natural sweetener and can therefore replace sugar in your coffee, smoothie, tea, or even oatmeal. Interesting fact: the wood from this tree is also used as charcoal in barbecues and smokers.
Spirulina
Eaten since the 16th century by the Aztecs, spirulina is an edible blue-green algae. You can find it in the food supplement section in dehydrated powder form or gel caps. Spirulina provides 3 g of protein per 5 g of spirulina powder. It can easily be added to smoothies or pancake mixes, and will add protein and colour to your recipes. To learn more about spirulina, check out our article dedicated exclusively to this alga. https://www.rachellebery.ca/la-spiruline/
