Superfoods & Herbs

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a plant whose seeds have been pressed into oil and used as a spice in the Middle East and South Asia for millennia. Seeds have been found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun from the 13th century BC, suggesting that the plant already held significance then.A Seed of Many NamesBlack cumin goes by several names depending on the region – nigella seeds, kalonji seeds, or simply "black seeds." In English, the oil is most often called black seed oil or black cumin seed oil, which is sometimes confused with ordinary cumin despite the plants being completely different.Traditional UseThe seeds and oil have been used in both cooking and traditional skincare in many cultures, including classical Arabic and Persian medicine.What the Oil ContainsBlack cumin oil contains vitamins A, B, and C, minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as the compound thymoquinone.Good to KnowUndiluted oil can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin – always dilute with a carrier oil and test on a small skin area first.UsageIn the kitchen, the seeds are used as seasoning on bread and in stews. For skincare, the oil is traditionally used diluted for scalp massage – boil 2 dl of seeds in 7 dl of water for 10 minutes, strain, mix the cooled water with one tablespoon of oil, and massage into the scalp.

Sesame is one of the world's oldest cultivated oilseed crops, with evidence of cultivation in India and the Middle East dating back over 5000 years. From the small seed capsule, an oil is pressed that has been used in both cooking and skin care in several ancient cultures.Open Sesame!The famous phrase from One Thousand and One Nights likely refers to how the sesame seed capsule crackles open when it ripens and dries – an association that has entered the fairy tale world of the West.Traditional useIn Ayurvedic tradition in India, sesame oil has long been used for body massage, often warmed before application.What the oil containsSesame oil contains vitamin E, calcium, zinc, iron, selenium, and unsaturated fatty acids.In the kitchenSesame oil is central to Middle Eastern, Indian, and East Asian cuisine, often used as a flavoring in smaller quantities rather than as the primary oil for frying.Use as skincareWhen using on the skin, it is recommended to perform a patch test first, especially for sensitive skin or nut allergies.

Cocoa butter is the fat from the cocoa bean – a naturally yellowish-white vegetable fat extracted when cocoa liquor is pressed, and is the reason why chocolate melts so characteristically at body temperature.From cocoa bean to chocolateWhen chocolate is made, cocoa butter is separated from the solid cocoa mass, and the two components are then mixed back in different proportions depending on the type of chocolate desired.PropertiesCocoa butter has a long shelf life compared to many other vegetable fats, and a moisturizing consistency that makes it popular in skin products such as soaps, creams and lip balms.UsageCan be applied directly to the skin or used melted in the kitchen as a base for homemade pralines and truffles. Our organic cocoa butter buttons are an example of how it is usually sold.