When you walk into a wholefoods store for the first, second or even 100th time there will always be a product on the shelf that makes you ask the question..
What do you use that for?
So we have put together a list of a few of the main products we get asked about. Most of these products aren't new or fancy, they're just not the common ingredient you grab to make your famous home made cookies. They are products some call superfoods, or products recommended to you by a naturopath, some are just unheard. But all of the products listed below work wonders in certain recipes and some products are just an unknown alternative that you will be happy to find.
Amaranth
Organic Amaranth is an extremely nutritious grain-like seed. Amaranth is naturally free from gluten, high in iron, protein and has more fibre than wheat. The seeds are light brown in colour and are a similar size to poppy seeds. Amaranth has been touted as a super-grain and the grain of the future.
Amaranth can be used in many ways. It can be cooked like porridge, popped / toasted on a hot pan and enjoyed as a crunchy snack, salad topper or even to crumb tofu or meat. You can also combine amaranth with your other grains such as rice or quinoa to add additional nutritional benefits plus a sweet nutty flavour.
Cacao v Cocoa
It's no uncommon for people to be confused with the difference between Cacao and Cocoa especially when they are in a tub right next to each other and looks the same. Both cacao and cocoa come from the cacao plant and that is why they have a similar look and smell - however, their taste is different. The reason for that all comes down to the way these two ingredients are made.
COCOA POWDER is made by fermenting, drying, and roasting the cacao bean at high temperatures. It is then pressed until all of the oils are separated out and the solids remaining are turned into a dry powder.
CACAO POWDER is made from cold pressed, finely ground organic cacao nibs. Eaten and cultivated by the ancient Mayans, cacao is considered a 'superfood' that will leave you feeling happy and revitalised. It is rich in antioxidants, and contains goodness such as magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc and more
CACAO has a bitter, more intense and richer chocolate flavour.
COCOA is much less bitter and sweeter tasting.
Now that we all know the difference we 100% know what it's used for.. Making anything taste like delicious chocolate YUM
Maca Powder
This organic raw maca powder is a nutrient dense wholefood, known for its energising and nourishing properties. Being rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, many athletes enjoy maca in their post workout smoothies for enhanced recovery and performance. This energising wholefood is said to improve concentration and alertness.
Our maca powder is light brown in colour and has a natural nutty, earthy flavour. Incorporate maca into your diet by adding to smoothies, yoghurt, muesli, or use in baking.
Our maca powder is light brown in colour and has a natural nutty, earthy flavour. Incorporate maca into your diet by adding to smoothies, yoghurt, muesli, or use in baking.
Mix into smoothies, yoghurt, muesli, or use in baking. The recommended dose is 1-5 tsp day, so best to start with 1tsp and find an amount suitable for you.
Matcha Green Tea Powder
Green Tea Matcha is a Green Tea extract. The health benefits of matcha tea exceed those of green tea because when you drink matcha you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water. One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content.
Nutritional Yeast
Calling all plant based or dairy free cheese lovers. Nutritional yeast aka nooch is now your best friend.
Nutritional Yeast Flakes are made from an inactive toasted yeast that are fortified to provide a source of Vitamin B complex, protein and other nutrients.
This golden goodness can be used in so many yummy ways. Sprinkle it over your smashed avo, salads and spaghetti bowl to name a few. One of our all time fav ways to use nooch is by adding it to some pre soaked cashews plus some ginger powder, acv, salt, pepper and a dash or water or plant milk and make a creamy cashew cheese sauce! YUM
You will find so many recipes with nooch as the ingredient to offer a cheese like taste and you will not be disappointed by the taste and nutritional benefits.
Psyllium Husk
Organic Psyllium Husks are a white, fibrous material that comes from the outer coating of the Plantago Ovata seeds and are a fantastic 100% natural and pure form of soluble fibre. They make a great addition to a regular healthy diet and work to promote a healthy digestive system!
You'll often find psyllium used fibre supplement or as the base ingredient in products designed to keep you regular. It is important to note that adequate fluid must be consumed with psyllium husks (like all fibre) otherwise this may cause constipation & not prevent it!
Because psyllium is essentially tasteless, it's super easy to incorporate into your diet by sprinkling a small amount over your morning porridge or adding to juice, water and smoothies.
Slippery Elm Powder
Slippery elm powder is made from the dried, ground inner bark of the Slippery Elm Tree (Ulmus rubra.) It can be used to increase your daily fibre intake and may have a soothing effect on the digestive system. Slippery elm powder is said to provide relief from constipation, diarrhoea and other symptoms of an irritated digestive tract such as bloating.
Slippery elm powder can be made into a gruel, stirred into a glass of water or made into a soothing tea. You can make slippery elm tea by preparing an infusion of 2 tbsp (30 mL) of slippery elm powder in 2 cups (500ml) of boiling water and allow it to steep for three to five minutes.
Spirulina
Organic Spirulina is part of the blue-green algae family and is recognised as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Organic Spirulina Powder is 100% pure, deep green in colour and rich in a wide range of nutrients & vitamins including chlorophyll, vitamin B, iron and protein
Spirulina is a potent source of nutrients. It contains a powerful plant-based protein called phycocyanin. Research shows this may have antioxidant, pain-relief, anti-inflammatory, and brain-protective properties
Spirulina tastes as green as it looks so start with a sprinkle and add more to taste. Easily add a small amount to your smoothies, juices or salad dressings. It also works as a great natural plant-based food colouring.
Carob Chocolate
Organic Carob Powder is naturally caffeine-free and delightfully sweet, with a unique caramel-chocolate taste. It is calcium and antioxidant rich, low in fat as well as high in fibre, making it a fantastic cacao alternative!
Use Carob as an alternative flavour to chocolate in cakes, biscuits and desserts. Organic carob powder can be substituted in place of cocoa or cacao at a ratio of one to one.
Cacao Butter
This pure cacao butter is extracted at a low temperature from roasted cacao beans. These little wafers (buttons) are certified organic, vegan and have absolutely nothing added.
Their small and easy-to-use size makes them a lot easier to deal with when it comes to baking and chocolate making. Cacao butter is delicious when added to treats, including home made chocolate, ice cream toppings and other decadent desserts.
Cacao butter is also a great ingredient to add to DIY beauty treatments for a natural moisturising effect.
Rapadura Sugar
Organic rapadura, also known as panela, is an unrefined and unbleached sugar popular for its unique caramel flavour, fine grain and gorgeous golden colour. It is produced by simply evaporating the water from the organic sugar cane juice.
Rapadura retains most of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, as unlike refined sugar, the nutrient dense molasses from the sugar cane is not removed during the pressing and drying process.
Celtic Salt
This Celtic Sea Salt has been hand harvested, ensuring that the sea salt crystals remain completely natural and retain all their beneficial minerals and trace elements. They are naturally grey in colour and are completely unwashed, unrefined and additive-free.
Celtic Sea Salt can be sprinkled on food as a delicate seasoning or used during cooking to enhance the flavour of the food. It can also be used to make an exfoliating body scrub.
Celtic Sea Salt can be sprinkled on food as a delicate seasoning or used during cooking to enhance the flavour of the food. It can also be used to make an exfoliating body scrub.
Indian Black Salt
Indian black salt also known as Kala namak is a complex compound packed with a range of minerals. Like other salts, it is mainly composed of sodium chloride, but you’ll also find traces of iron sulfide, which provides its pinkish hue, sulfur compounds, which impart a distinct savoury flavour that is reminiscent of eggs, and acidic bisulfates and bisulfites that contribute a mildly sour taste.
Kala namak is widely used in Southern Asian cuisine, such as those from Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan. It is a central ingredient in chaats, chutneys, raitas and many other savory Indian foods. Because of its rich mineral taste, it is excellent as a condiment too, particularly good in salads and on fruit.
It is also popular with vegans who are looking to bolster a meal with the flavour of eggs, but cannot eat the real thing. Try it on tofu, roast veggies, sandwiches or just about any other vegan dish!
Textured Vegetable Protein
Textured Vegetable Protein, also known as textured soy protein, is a rich source of protein made from defatted soybean flour. It is high in calcium, magnesium and potassium; contains dietary fibre, no cholesterol, low in fat and carbohydrates to support good health, and is one of the few vegetarian sources of vitamin B12, an important vitamin for nervous system health.
It is the main ingredient in many brands of meatless burgers, meat-free meals like Bolognese, and other store-bought meat substitutes, and is easily prepared for cooking by soaking in stock, sauces, marinades, or spices.
Hulled Millet
Millet is one of the oldest foods known to man and is packed with plenty of nourishing plant-based goodness, in particular protein and dietary fibre. It is widely grown as a cereal crop, originating in Africa and the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago. This organic hulled millet has a nutty, slightly sweet flavour with a light, fluffy texture that makes it a very versatile grain in many sweet and savoury recipes.
Stevia Leaf Powder
Organic green leaf stevia powder is a 100% natural, zero calorie sweetener that can be used to substitute sugar.
The leaves from the stevia plant have been simply dried and ground, leaving it unrefined and chemical free.
Stevia is incredibly potent and 10 to 15 times sweeter than sugar. 1 teaspoon of stevia leaf can have the same sweetening effect as 1 cup of sugar. Since the crushed green leaf can vary in strength, some experimentation may be necessary.
The leaves from the stevia plant have been simply dried and ground, leaving it unrefined and chemical free.
Stevia is incredibly potent and 10 to 15 times sweeter than sugar. 1 teaspoon of stevia leaf can have the same sweetening effect as 1 cup of sugar. Since the crushed green leaf can vary in strength, some experimentation may be necessary.
Guar Gum Powder
Organic Guar Gum Powder is made by grinding the seed of a guar beans. It is an off-white, flour-like powder with an earthy odour.
Guar gum can be used as a thickener and emulsifier in gluten-free baking and cooking. Guar gum can also be used as a fibre supplement as a source of soluble fibre.
We hope your questions have been answered in this blog.
If you would like to try any of these products simple click on the name and it will take you to the product and you can grab as much or as little as you wish. If you are a local you can come into the shop and grab even smaller amounts to try out. Thats the great thing about how Pantree works. You can get exactly what you need with no wastage of products and zero waste packaging :)
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