our ingredients
all of our ingredients are heroes but many are cape wearing super-foods in their own right
cacao
We use ethically sourced organic, raw cacao because it contains over four times the amount of antioxidants in roasted cocoa and is the highest antioxidant food in the world. Raw cacao contains the same antioxidants found in green tea and red wine but at 20 and 30 times the amount respectively. Raw cacao has some great mood boosters such as anandamide (known as the bliss molecule) and phenethylamines (known as the love chemicals). Phenethylamines are damaged by heat but preserved in raw chocolate. It also contains serotonin which induces feelings of happiness and promotes relaxation and good sleep and is an excellent source of iron, 7.3g per 100g, and contains more magnesium than any other food. We grind our own cacao in a big stone grinder from solid nibs into silky smooth liquid cacao. This means that we can get it super smooth. The grinding process also helps to bring out the flavours in the cacao.
new zealand meadow honey
We partially sweeten our chocolate with New Zealand meadow honey. Being keen beekeepers we love looking after our bees and are fascinated by their behaviours and the wonderful things they produce. When the worker bees find a good source of nectar they fly back to their hive and do a special dance (called the waggle dance) to tell the other worker bees how to find the nectar; we think that's pretty amazing!
Honey contains many trace minerals and vitamins and it is believed that consuming honey from your local area can help prevent seasonal allergies. Honey has been used by humans as a sweetener and medicine for over 5000 years. Honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs in the Pyramids was still edible despite being 3000 years old. As far back as the stone age, humans have been using bee products.
Honey has amazing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is a rich source of many important anti-oxidants. These anti-oxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and even some types of cancer. Honey's anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to lower 'bad' cholesterol and inflammation whilst raising 'good' cholesterol.
Honey has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Honey is also on the lower end of the Glycemic scale with a GI of 58.
cashew nuts
Our m*lk bars contain raw, organic, ethically sourced cashew nuts. Cashews are rich in vitamins C, E, K, phosphorous, iron, magnesium and zinc and also contain antioxidants, phytochemicals and protein.
Eating cashews can improve your heart-health as most of the fat that cashews contain is the same healthy, oleic acid that is found in olive oil. Research has shown that oleic acid reduces triglyceride levels, (high triglyceride levels are associated with the onset of heart disease). Cashews are also free from 'bad' cholesterol and contain antioxidants, which help to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Cashews contain calcium and are especially rich in magnesium, which is needed, in addition to calcium, for the maintenance of strong, healthy bone structure. Insufficient levels of magnesium can also contribute to high blood pressure and migraines.
Cashews contain a type of flavanol called proanthocyanidins, which studies have shown restrict the growth of cancerous cells and starve tumours. In addition to this, cashews are a good source of copper, which helps remove free radicals from the body.
Cashews contain an amino acid, called L-tryptophan, which is broken down in the body into niacin and serotonin, compounds that calm anxiety and promote a sense of well-being.
Consuming cashews can help to reduce blood pressure and raise good cholesterol levels. Cashew nuts also contain vitamin E, B6 and folic acids which help to fight heart disease.
coconut nectar
For centuries, coconut palms have been traditionally tapped for their sweet nectar. This process involves tapping the stems of the flowering coconut blossom in a similar way to the collection of maple syrup. The trees are not harmed through this process.
Coconut blossom nectar is high in living enzymes including up to 17 amino acids essential for, among other things, muscle growth, tissue repair and nutrient uptake and storage.
There are nine amino acids that are essential to the healthy functioning of our bodies but that our bodies do not naturally make. Coconut blossom nectar contains all nine of these essential amino acids, plus eight more non-essentials.
Coconut palm nectar also contains a wide spectrum of B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. It is also rich in inositol, known to be helpful for reducing bad cholesterol, diabetes, depression and inflammation. Coconut blossom nectar is at the low end of the Glycemic index coming in with a GI of 54 meaning that it takes longer to be absorbed by our bodies avoiding the spikes and lows in blood sugar common with cane sugar.
brazil nuts
Our Brazil and cacao nib bars contain activated, organic, wild- harvested Brazil nuts. The Brazil nut tree is an Amazonian treasure. Growing up to 160 feet tall and 6.6 feet in diameter, these trees can live up to 1000 years old. Brazil nut trees are notoriously hard to cultivate only thriving in pristine rainforest where the natural biodiversity supports their unique needs. This means that buying wild harvested Brazil nuts helps to preserve our planet's precious and essential rainforests and the home of the people and creatures that live there.
Brazil nuts are collected from the rainforest floor after naturally ripening and falling from the tree.
They are the number one source of dietary Selenium, an essential nutrient that acts as a powerful antioxidant, reducing inflammation and boosting our immune systems. Low Selenium can result in feelings of anxiety, stress and tiredness and it is believed that 1 billion people worldwide suffer from Selenium deficiency. Selenium also helps the body to metabolise Serotonin which, helps promote good sleep, relaxation and feelings of happiness. Brazil nuts are also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and this combined with the good levels of selenium magnesium, vitamin E and zinc, means that Brazil nuts help to lower bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol protecting the health of our hearts. The full benefits of eating Brazil nuts are too many to list here but you can find out more from the links below.
coconut milk
Our m*lk bars contain organic coconut milk. Coconut milk is high in iron and has anti-microbial properties and according to recent research contains lauric acids which aids the body's production of monolaurin, a disease-fighting substance.
for more information check out these links
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-magnesium-benefits#section3
https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/honey-in-the-pyramids.aspx
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/health-benefits-of-honey.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/brazil-nuts.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-cashews.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/coconut-milk.html
https://oureverydaylife.com/262102-what-are-the-benefits-of-coconut-milk-powder.html
http://www.glycemicindex.com/foodSearch.php?num=2659&ak=detail