It all began last winter in Paris with a jar of raw hemp butter, a bag of cacao nibs and a packed of organic dried figs. Despite being a chocolate veteran—my mother gave me 85% cocoa chocolate squares as pacifiers when I was hardly standing on my two feet yet—I had never considered dipping a fig in dark chocolate, let alone dipping the fig in hemp butter and topping it with cacao nibs. But I did: I took a dried fig, cut it in half, spread a dollop hemp butter on top and dipped it in cacao nibs.
The sweet, chewy dried fig, smooth, nutty, hemp butter, and crunchy intense nibs immediately created a delectable gustative explosion in my mouth…which immediately began to water for more. Ever since last winter, I’m a hemp-fig-cacao addict, and I feel no shame. If you’re eerily relating to my story, I have excellent news: this specific addiction is healthy, and very brain friendly. Because of their awesome nutritional values, figs are rumored to help lower high blood pressure, lose weight, prevent postmenopausal breast cancer, as well as promoting bone density, a healthy digestion, and efficient eyes.
Cacao, an anti-oxidant filled legendary super food, needs no introduction. When raw, cacao contains more antioxidants than acai, goji or blueberries, any teas, or red wine. Catechin, one of the antioxidants found in cacao, may prevent cancer, reduce the risk of heart failure, cancer, stroke and diabetes. It is also being studied for potential use in the treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. And did you know the theobromine in cacao reduces coughs better than codeine and helps with asthma? Then there’s dietary fiber, iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and about 300 more compounds! And though it is said to be addictive because cacao causes our brains to release certain “feel good” neurotransmitters, no real proof of any proper addictive qualities has been found to date. A bit like the rumors of THC in hemp: yes, there might be, but less than 0,1%, otherwise hemp would be as illegal as cannabis. In fact, whereas there have been studies correlating cannabis use to loss of short term memory, hemp is a very brain and memory friendly food due to it’s almost perfect omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio. It’s also a fantastic source of protein (even the butter), fiber, vitamin E, and a good source of vitamins A, B1, B1, B3, B6, C, D. Minerals include magnesium, calcium, potassium and brain friendly phosphorus (“I think, therefore I use phosphorus”). Fatty acids, phosphorus, flavonoids, euphoria inducing compounds, and a little fruit to keep us from a hypoglycemic crash: my new favorite trio is therefore a smashing snack when demanding mental work is at hand, no matter what part of the brain you’re using. Without further ado, here is a simple pick me up recipe!
Fig & Hemp Salad
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 tablespoon cacao nibs
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon minced orange peel
1 tablespoon hemp butter
Whisk hemp butter, orange peel, and orange juice in a bowl. Delicately toss in the fresh figs. Sprinkle with cacao nibs and hemp seeds.
Online Sources:
http://www.brainready.com/blog/hemp_the_perfect_brain_heal.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fig
Old School Book Sources:
Robert, Herve, Les Vertus Therapeutiques du Chocolat, Ed. Artulen, 1990
Bourre, Jean-Marie, Brainfood, a Provocative Exploration of the Connection Between
What You Eat and How You Think, Little Brown & Co., 1993
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