Superfoods & Herbs

Shiitake, or oak mushroom, is the second most cultivated mushroom in the world and a central ingredient in Japanese and East Asian cuisine.Historical cultivationShiitake has been cultivated on logs in China and Japan for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest forms of mushroom cultivation in the world. The name "shiitake" comes from the Japanese word for the tree species (shii) on which the mushroom was traditionally grown.What shiitake containsShiitake contains iron, copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese, as well as B vitamins.Good to knowAvoid shiitake during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In rare cases, the mushroom can cause a skin reaction called "shiitake dermatitis."In the kitchenThe mushroom has a spicy, smoky aroma and is often used in broths, woks, and soups. Our organic shiitake powder is an example of how it is commonly sold.

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.

Chia seeds have been historically used by the Aztecs and Mayans in Central America, where the seeds were such an important crop that they were used as currency and as offerings in religious ceremonies.From whole seeds to flourChia flour is made by grinding whole chia seeds into a fine powder, which makes the nutrients more accessible than from whole seeds, where the husk can otherwise pass relatively undigested through the digestive system.What chia flour containsChia flour contains omega-3 (ALA), protein, and fiber, as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.UsageChia flour is well-suited for gluten-free baking or can be stirred into water for a jelly-like consistency, unlike whole seeds which retain their slightly crispy texture. Our organic chia protein (chia flour) is an example of how it is typically sold.