Our Ingredients
Sunfood Sweets brings you Unsurpassed Quality…
Our favourite Raw Chocolate (Cacao)
Cacao is harvested from an evergreen type tree found in deep tropical regions. This tree produces flowers in clusters which produce an oval shaped fruit called a cacao pod, which when ripened is yellow to orange. The pod contains 20 to 60 seeds, usually referred to as “beans”
Our cacao used in our raw vegan desserts is the native-born heirloom Ecuadorian species (Arriba Nacional-Fino de Aroma) surpasses the competitor’s hybrid cacao varieties in aroma, flavour, nutrient and mineral content.
The farmer’s nurture the trees, hand pick the cacao pods, and separate the beans for fermenting. After a carefully controlled fermentation process, the cacao beans are sundried. They always maintain their nutrient and mineral integrity through sun drying rather than dry roasting which has been known to destroy most of the nutrients and rush an unfinished product.
We choose to use the original first ever Cacao Beans from the purest source of cacao beans on Earth. Nothing but the best goes in our Ilive desserts, truly raw, totally contaminant-free and absolutely bursting with fresh nutrients, vital enzymes, and subtle flavours.
Criollo’s are the original raw cacao beans that have an unsurpassed nutritional content, and delivers the ultimate chocolate flavour experience.
Nutritional Value:
Cacao is one of the BEST sources of magnesium of ALL foods. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and is associated with more happiness. Cacao is also high in the mineral sulfur; sulfur has traditional been believed to build strong nails, hair, shiny skin, detoxifies the liver, and supports healthy pancreas functioning.
Raw chocolate contains more than 300 known nutrient chemicals, and there are compounds in chocolate that may be associated with the good feeling that raw chocolate consumption provides.
Our favourite Raw Cacao Powder
We only use the absolute best Raw Cacao Powder, made by cold-pressing organic raw Criollo cacao beans.
Other cacao powders are exposed to temperatures as high as 300 degrees and are subjected to tons of oxidative pressure. This process yields more removal of fat from the powder to be used in the manufacturing of cacao butter, so you are left with only 7-10% fat which greatly compromises the flavour of the powder.
Our choice of rich Organic Cacao Powder contains 22-26% fat which carries a fuller
flavour, less oxidation, and more nutritional benefits.
*No chemicals, hexane, or solvents are used. Just pure raw chocolate.
Our favourite Raw Organic Bali Cacao Butter
Why our Cacao Butter is so special:
The Cacao butter we use is has its own totally unique flavour more chocolaty flavour than a high-heat industrial filter press processed cacao butter. Made from single origin Balinese wild cacao, descended from the prized Criollo variety cacao beans.
Our favourite Wild crafted Vanilla Beans
Our top choice of Vanilla beans come from Madagascar. These wild crafted beans deliver a superior nutrient and mineral profile and flavour intensity. From the celadon blooms of the vanilla orchid come the pods that yield one of the world’s great flavours. Producing organic vanilla requires considerable care and fortuitous circumstances. The orchid has beautiful flowers that only bloom for a single day. When they are pollinated, often by hand, the vanilla bean will form. Nine months after pollination the ripe green vanilla bean is picked. Curing is a continuous process of sun-drying the pods during the day, then placing them in wooden boxes during the night. This process takes 6 months as the pod becomes dark and pliable and has acquired the unmistakable flavour and aroma that we all adore.
Our Raw extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Certified organic and non-GMO. Made from fresh coconuts straight off the tree, not the dried copra. We choose to use a coconut oil that is cold pressed, unrefined , chemical-free, unfermented, unbleached, undeodorized and unhydrogenated.
How coconut oil is processed is the key to optimizing its taste, texture, color, aroma and quality.
There is no comparison between our raw extra-virgin Organic Coconut Oil, with its light taste, pleasant aroma and any industrialized coconut oil, with its bland taste and faint aroma. Coconut oil is a Super food indeed and the health benefits of this amazing plant life food are endless.
There has been numerous studies and research proving that raw organic coconut oil had amazing health and healing properties and has been used around the world for hundreds of years. Coconut oil contains a high percentage of lauric acid which is beneficial in attacking viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. It builds the body’s immune system just as mother’s milk does naturally for their babies. Coconut oil can be used internally and externally. Internally for health benefits such as weight loss, kills of fungi, yeasts, bacteria, viruses and infections. Coconut oil increases energy and maintains a balance of this energy throughout the day.
Externally, Raw Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is one of Mother Nature’s best moisturizers packed with nutrients. Excellent for preventing stretch marks in pregnant women.
-Excellent for healing and preventing diaper rash for babies.
-Coconut oil is excellent for weight loss.
-Coconut oil increases metabolic rate. It is used as an energy producer, rather than a fat producer, like most fats.
-Coconut oil boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
-Coconut oil improves digestion and absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids (protein)
-Coconut oil provides protection from the over abuse and damaging effects from the sun such as aging spots, pigmentation stains, sagging skins, dry and or flaky skins.
Coconut oil is used to relieve a lot of ailments associated to one’s health such as colitis, Chrohn’s disease, constipation, stomach ulcers, reduces inflammations, support as tissue healing and repair, relieves symptoms associated with chronic fatigue, premature aging, dissolves kidney stones, aids the function of your liver, improves poor circulatory problems, cures athlete’s feet due to its anti fungal properties as well as protects one’s body from all types of cancers.
Besides its nutritional value, extra virgin Coconut Oil makes a luscious and soothing massage and body oil for damaged skin and can be used to repair damaged chemically treated hair. Feed your body, nourish your skin.
Goji Berries (also known as wolf berries)
This is one of the most nutrient dense rich foods around the world. Goji berries contain an abundance of minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium) As well as B1, B2, B6 and natural vitamin E.
Ancient Berry of Vitality
Goji berries have been appreciated in Asian herbal medicine for several millenniums, but only recently have western cultures “discovered” the power of this remarkable food.
Often coined as “red diamonds” on the Asian market, the Goji berry has long been regarded as one of the most nutrient-rich super foods on the planet, with ancient Chinese monks crediting this berry to greater health, vitality, longevity, energy, and stamina. Western science agrees that indeed this special berry has a remarkable nutritional profile, and it is now among the most highly sought-after super foods around.
The Goji berry offers an exceptional balance of daily macronutrients: containing carbohydrates, high-quality protein, healthy fat, and soluble fibre.
The Goji’s solid plant-based protein is packed with 18 amino acids — including all 8 essential amino acids – which is 10% of the fruits composition. Also full of free-radical-devouring antioxidants, Goji berries have been historically used to support the immune system and longevity. Rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C, these berries additionally possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin (B2), vitamin E, calcium, potassium and carotenoids which include beta-carotene. And to put things in perspective on just how powerful the little Goji berry is, ounce per ounce it contains more vitamin C than oranges, more beta carotene than carrots, and more iron than spinach. Goji berries are a truly remarkable food.
Maca (Pure Power Super Food)
The root of the Maca plant has been used in indigenous Andean cultures as a source of nourishment and healing for many millenniums. A radish-like root, Maca is indigenous to the mountainous and ragged terrain of the Peruvian highlands. Although its foliage may be small and unassuming, the harvested root of the Maca plant was traditionally used by Incan warriors in preparation for difficult expositions and battles, and was consumed to increase stamina and energy.
Maca has long been used to increase stamina, boost libido, and combat fatigue for good reasons. The root is a superb adaptogen, as it enables the body to more easily adapt to and regulate stress factors imposed upon it. Studies have also identified four alkaloids present in Maca, which are known to nourish the endocrine system (the system in the body which is responsible for the production and maintenance of hormones). Maca root is a highly nutrient-dense whole food, as it is packed with vitamins, plant sterols, many essential minerals, amino acids and healthy fats. This is a particularly powerful and balanced food for Athletes and anyone who is looking to combat stress or increase stamina.
Maca is a very potent food, and just a little Maca sprinkled into recipes turns any meal into a super meal. With an earthy taste that is mildly nutty with a hint of butterscotch, Maca is easily blended into super food smoothies, various nut and or seeds mylks and can be found in some of your favourite Ilive raw vegan gourmet desserts.
Why we add Himalayan Salt
Himalayan Pink Salt over 25 million yrs old, is a pure, hand-mined salt that is derived from the foothills of the pristine Himalayan Mountains. Harvested from ancient sea salt deposits, it is believed to be the purest form of salt available. The high mineral crystals range in color from sheer white, varying shades of pink, to deep reds, the result of high mineral and iron content. The Himalayan Pink Salt we use in out raw vegan desserts is “Gourmet Food Grade”, the highest quality of Himalayan salt available.
Beneficial Properties
Himalayan Pink Salt has a rich mineral content that includes over 84 minerals and trace elements such as: calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron. This salt is recognized for its beautiful pink color, high mineral content, and its therapeutic properties. Regular consumption of Himalayan Pink Salt provides essential minerals, trace elements, balances electrolytes, supports proper nutrient absorption, eliminates toxins, balances the body’s pH, normalizes blood pressure, and increases circulation and conductivity. It can also assist with relief from arthritis, skin rashes, psoriasis, herpes, and flu and fever symptoms.
Himalayan Pink Salt is used by holistic chefs, spas, health professionals, and individuals for its range of nutritional and therapeutic properties. Pink salt may be used in the same manner as table salt for culinary dishes and baking, but it is purer and higher in mineral content. Externally, pink salt can be used to stimulate circulation, relax the body, lower blood pressure, sooth sore muscles, and remove toxins from the body. Use Himalayan Pink Salt in bath salt recipes, body scrubs, aromatherapy, homemade soap, and for all types of culinary and spa applications.