One of our greatest passions at Lavonne is finding news ways to reinvent the baking industry in the country. And one of the ways we do this is by using superfoods as much as we can. We love using them because not only do they taste great, but they also double up as great health foods. We use them in a variety of products in our patisserie, right from our quiche to our desserts.
But first things first. What are superfoods, and what exactly is so super about them?
Very simply put, superfoods are nutrient-rich food that are supposed to be great for your health. They’re loaded with all the right vitamins and nutrients that do a supreme job of protecting your body from disease, and helping it recover from daily wear and tear.
While we use a whole variety of these foods in the different things we make at our confectionery, and here are some of the popular ones.
Spinach
Our quiche is loaded with Spinach. This wonderful ingredient is filled with anti-oxidants and a plethora of vitamins. Just a single portion of Spinach can help boost cardiovascular and bone health. And in case you’re still not convinced, spinach is also a rich source of iron, which puts the shine and health into your nails and hair. It works great in salads and omelettes as well, and that’s why it’s fun to use in a patisserie. 
Photo courtesy: http://blog.neovitin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/spinach.jpeg
Dark Chocolate
We love chocolate, and a lot of our desserts are chocolate based. Dark chocolate in particular is great, as long as it is taken in small doses. It does all kinds of great things like regulates blood pressure, maintains blood flow and generally keeps your good health in good shape. And to add the cherry to the chocolate cake, the consumption of chocolate releases endorphins, natural chemicals released by the body, and known to be very effective mood boosters.
Photo courtesy: http://blog.mountsinai.org/blog/the-benefits-of-dark-chocolate-for-valentines-day/
Kiwi
Kiwi is one of those fruits that goes really well with desserts. We’ve used it in our Pavlova and a host of other desserts. Nutritionally, it is one of the richest fruits. Along with being a great source of Vitamin E, it also provides potassium, fibre and other vitamins as well. Being fibrous in nature, it also helps regulate the digestive process. A fruit that tastes, looks and makes you feel great—little wonder it is such a hit in our kitchens.
Photo courtesy: http://blog.mountsinai.org/blog/the-benefits-of-dark-chocolate-for-valentines-day/
Nuts
You’ll find our desserts and breads sprinkled with these. And in moderate portions, they can do wonders for you. Nuts are part of this super list because they’re great for lowering cholesterol and in regulating weight. It doesn’t hurt that they taste so good either. Apart from tasting good just as they are, they go great with almost any kind of food too, especially desserts.
Photo courtesy: http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2013/12/29/are-all-nuts-created-equal/
Peppers
Think Focaccia, think Peppers. At Lavonne, the Focaccia is one of the most popular patisserie products, and it’s full of the goodness that comes with Peppers. Loaded with Vitamin C that helps keep the skin and blood vessels healthy, Peppers have more Vitamin C than the more commonly known source, oranges. Red bell peppers contain lycopene and beta-carotene, that prevent eye-dieases. And because of their high water content, they make for great low-cal food additions. Personally, we love the burst of colour they add to any dish.
Photo courtesy: http://naturallynourishing.com/bell-peppers-green-yellow-orange-red-white/
Berries
Everything about berries is indulgent. And most of our desserts have a generous amount of them present. For their tiny size, berries sure pack a nutritional punch. They’re full of antioxidants, nutrients, and have a high water and fibre content. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re also low on calories! So they help control blood sugar. Too good to be true? We’re not quite done yet. They work great with desserts, and add that little extra sweetness, and immediately hike the nutritive content of dishes like cereal, yogurt and salad. The most widely used, taking the top spot in the berries list, would be Blueberries, because of the sheer amount of antioxidants it possesses, and its versatility as a dessert topping.
Photo courtesy: http://remedyhealthcare.net/
Green Tea
No Patisserie is truly complete without some good old green tea. And this list wouldn’t be complete without it either. We have a variety at Lavonne, and you can enjoy them just as they are or with a spot of honey. Green tea is not exactly a food item, but it’s a great accompaniment with anything you have. Great for digestion, it is loaded with antioxidants and is known to have properties that are supposed to help fight cancer. And best of all, it has zero calories.
Photo courtesy: http://greenteafatburnerpills.net
There are many more superfoods out there, and we’re always trying to come up with new recipes to incorporate them. Let us know what your favourite superfoods are, and maybe we’ll come up with new products just for them!