An expensive but healthy food

These berries are thought to be one of the one of the healthiest natural foods. There are many "stories" about the amazing benefits of these berries many of which may be true but a few verifiable facts about them (in dried form) follow:

1) High protein (about 12%) and are a complete protein. This is good for anybody but particularly noteworthy to vegans who choose not to get their protein from meats.

2) Decent fiber content (about 10%)

3) 18 (!!) amino acids

4) Like most sweet fruits high in carbs and calories. 100 grams give you about 350-380 calories; roughly 3/4 from carbs and 1/4 from fat.

5) 6 vitamins 8 amino acids 11+ minerals (more in trace amounts)

6) Carotenoids unsaturated fatty acids (this is a good thing) phytosterols (help lower cholesterol) and other healthy (or theoretically healthy but not particularly well researched) phytochemicals.



Enough with the technical jargon. These berries are great in cereal smoothies (once hydrated) and tea. For tea try this:

Put water a small number of berries (6-15ish) and a teabag in your cup microwave for about a minute per teacup (time varies) drop a small amount in your favorite tea along with the teabag and let the berries and tea steep for about 3 minutes.

This adds a subtle character to green tea (plus an unusual tasty snack to do with a few of the sips). The flavor seems to blend well with chai and jasmine too. This may work differently for those who use creamer.



I recommend that you try a bag keeping in mind that you may need to soak the berries in water/tea/whatever in order to make them soft and see what you think. I have found they make a great addition to my usual cereal-only breakfast because they give me a much-needed protein boost.

If you like them quite a lot you may want to take the time to look for a supply in a nearby Asian foods store. I have heard they can be purchased at a lower cost in bulk.

More detail ...

SAVED OUR SANITY ON A 4-HOUR PLANE RIDE!



YUM! Our 17 month old daughter loves them. When we heard about these new pouches they were a _must try_. We couldnt decide on a fruit combination so we ordered a case of each. This worked out well because the order qualified for amazons free shipping. They arrived very quickly in easy to open cases.



We consolidated them to a box in the pantry so we could get to them faster and because those pouches can kind of slide around. :) Our daughter is all about choices right now and so we let her decide which one she'd like to try first. She looked carefully at each of them then said "NANA! ARN! BUH-NEE! HOP! HOP!" and so chose the Mango Banana and Orange...and it remains her favorite of the three (although she would never give up the others if offered).



Now the plane ride...we recently took a trip to visit grandma from San Jose to Austin - a 4+ hour airflight that we were somewhat nervous about. We packed our fruit pouches and other goodies. It became a special treat as we rolled out to the tarmac and then took off into the sky. She happily ate and when she was done sat quietly and contently looking at the pouch...pointing at the bunny and the orange and the banana (we told/showed her there was a mango too).



When we ran out of pouches we went to the whole foods - but they were not yet available there. They did have another brand which we reluctantly purchased because unlike the peter rabbit pouches - the cap was so tiny it could be a serious choking hazzard should it get into the hands (or mouth) of our little lady. The combination was also different and she didnt really care for the other kind as much.



Though she cant say alot of words she does sign quite a few and she runs to the pantry points and signs "more please...more please!! please!!" Which is pretty funny to see.



We took some video the day they arrived I'll have to see if I can find it and post as part of the review.More detail ...

An expensive but healthy food

These berries are thought to be one of the one of the healthiest natural foods. There are many "stories" about the amazing benefits of these berries many of which may be true but a few verifiable facts about them (in dried form) follow:

1) High protein (about 12%) and are a complete protein. This is good for anybody but particularly noteworthy to vegans who choose not to get their protein from meats.

2) Decent fiber content (about 10%)

3) 18 (!!) amino acids

4) Like most sweet fruits high in carbs and calories. 100 grams give you about 350-380 calories; roughly 3/4 from carbs and 1/4 from fat.

5) 6 vitamins 8 amino acids 11+ minerals (more in trace amounts)

6) Carotenoids unsaturated fatty acids (this is a good thing) phytosterols (help lower cholesterol) and other healthy (or theoretically healthy but not particularly well researched) phytochemicals.



Enough with the technical jargon. These berries are great in cereal smoothies (once hydrated) and tea. For tea try this:

Put water a small number of berries (6-15ish) and a teabag in your cup microwave for about a minute per teacup (time varies) drop a small amount in your favorite tea along with the teabag and let the berries and tea steep for about 3 minutes.

This adds a subtle character to green tea (plus an unusual tasty snack to do with a few of the sips). The flavor seems to blend well with chai and jasmine too. This may work differently for those who use creamer.



I recommend that you try a bag keeping in mind that you may need to soak the berries in water/tea/whatever in order to make them soft and see what you think. I have found they make a great addition to my usual cereal-only breakfast because they give me a much-needed protein boost.

If you like them quite a lot you may want to take the time to look for a supply in a nearby Asian foods store. I have heard they can be purchased at a lower cost in bulk.

More detail ...