Health

Maca powder is the ground root of the Peruvian plant Lepidium meyenii. It is a pale yellow colour with an earthy butterscotch flavour and a light toffee scent. It’s a wonderful anti-oxidant, helping with blood flow, heart health, digestion and energy. It’s also an aphrodisiac, which stimulates your libido. Maca powder contains vitamin C, zinc, calcium, protein and copper. 

Nutritional benefits of maca powder

Maca powder is abundant in numerous vitamins and minerals to boost your health and wellness. Below, we’ve listed some of the top maca powder benefits and how they support your body:

Rich in vitamin C - Vitamin C is vital to build collagen - the most abundant protein in your body. It provides tendons, tissue, muscle, bones, hair and skin with strength and elasticity. This reduces joint pain, sagging skin and hair loss and helps build and repair muscle.

High in zinc - Zinc generates a protein that forms blood clots to seal wounds for fast repair. Not only this, but it increases your metabolism rate for better energy and weight regulation.

Contains calcium - Maca powder contains calcium for strong and healthy bones and teeth. This makes it perfect for increasing calcium intake, especially if you are vegan or dairy intolerant.

Abundant in protein - Maca powder is a rich source of protein to build and repair muscle. The superfood gradually releases energy to stabilise weight, minimise fatigue, increase moods and enhance sleep quality. Therefore, consistently consuming maca powder is a simple way to improve your protein levels.

Source of copper - The mineral copper aids iron absorption, efficiently carrying oxygen and nutrients in your bloodstream. This enhances the function of vital organs, including your lungs, liver, brain, kidneys and heart.

Easy way to eat maca powder

Maca powder is simple to add to meals and desserts for a quick protein boost and increased amino acids. Check out a few ways to consume maca powder:

Add to pancakes - Maca powder pancakes are fantastic for added protein, calcium, and vitamin A. Superboost your pancakes by switching refined flour for coconut or almond flour and mixing in cacao powder. Top with dried fruit and nuts for a delicious breakfast.

Create a maca latte - The light, sweet taste of maca powder pairs wonderfully with coffee. Stir in your choice of milk for a delicious anti-oxidant drink.

Sprinkle into your porridge - Add a teaspoon of maca powder to porridge for extra fibre and anti-inflammatory effects. Pair with a scoop of coconut butter for a creamy, smooth texture.

Stir into your smoothie - An easy way to consume maca powder is by whizzing a teaspoon into a smoothie. The naturally sweet taste goes well with mango, strawberries or peaches.

Include in energy balls - A pinch of maca powder with chocolate protein powder and plant-based milk will give you slow-releasing energy and fibre.

At Grape Tree, we choose premium-quality, lightly ground maca powder for a delicate and natural caramel taste. Try it today for an increase in vital vitamins and minerals to enhance your health and wellness.

Bees make Manuka honey in New Zealand using the nectar of the Manuka bush (leptospermum scoparium). It contains methylglyoxal (MGO) - a component in Manuka honey with potent anti-bacterial properties, making the honey a superfood. The flowers of the Manuka bush only bloom for four to six weeks, adding to the value of this beautiful, golden honey.

Manuka honey is great for gut health, skin, blood flow, regulating blood sugar and reducing joint pain. It is rich in B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

Nutritional benefits of manuka honey

Manuka honey is an incredible anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, abundant in crucial vitamins and minerals. Below are the advantages of regularly consuming or using Manuka honey:

Rich in B-vitamins - B vitamins increase moods by releasing the happy hormones serotonin and dopamine. This lowers the stress hormone cortisol, reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

High in iron - You need iron for brain function, regulated moods and balanced energy levels. Without enough, you may struggle with extreme fatigue and focus. Taking small amounts of Manuka honey will enhance your iron to reduce the chance of a deficiency.

Abundant in magnesium - The mineral magnesium releases melatonin to induce sleep. Stress and blue light from screens suppress melatonin. So, sip a warm oat milk drink with Manuka honey for a relaxing evening and peaceful slumber.

Contains potassium - Your body needs potassium to change protein into energy. Potassium also fortifies the immune system to fight harmful bacteria and reduce the effects of colds.

Source of zinc - Zinc is a mineral that boosts your immune system by helping white blood cells create pathogens, defending the body against illness. It also increases your metabolism for better energy, sleep and moods.

Easy ways to use manuka honey

Manuka honey is delicious raw, but there are many ways to use it for health and beauty purposes. Below are our top tips for using Manuka honey:

Drink lemon, ginger and Manuka honey tea - Chop up a handful of ginger and lemon slices, pour in boiling water and let steep for about three minutes. Add a teaspoon of Manuka honey for a tasty hot drink that aids digestion and eases coughs and colds. Don’t add the honey immediately, as boiling water can kill off its antibacterial properties.

Apply as a soothing face mask - The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Manuka honey make it a wonderful treatment for acne and redness. Smooth a tablespoon onto your skin and leave for fifteen minutes before gently removing with a warm cloth.

Drizzle over breakfast - A simple option to get a dose of Manuka honey is drizzling a small amount over porridge, granola, or Greek yoghurt.

Use as a natural sweetener - Instead of sugar or maple syrup, switch to Manuka honey for a delicious and natural sweetener.

Stir into your coffee - Swap the sugar in your coffee for half a teaspoon of Manuka honey. Ensure the coffee isn’t boiling, as this will destroy the honey's healing and health properties.

We have a delicious range of Manuka honey with 300+ methylglyoxal (the anti-bacterial component) and Pure Gold Manuka Honey. Browse our products today.

Tumeric is a vibrant orange root from the Asian plant Curcuma longa, related to ginger. It has an earthy kick and is classed as a spice. It’s an incredible anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory due to the chemical it contains called curcumin. The body absorbs curcumin up to 2,000% more when combined with black pepper. So, when you use the root, eat it alongside black pepper.

Regularly consuming turmeric is fantastic for digestion, heart health, blood flow, hair, skin and mental health. It’s a source of iron, fibre, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Nutritional benefits of turmeric

Considering it’s such a small root, turmeric is rich in vitamins and minerals. In fact, the spice is so nutrient-dense that it falls under the superfood category. Check out the benefits of its top nutrients below:

High in iron - Iron aids the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to lift your energy and reduce fatigue. If you have an iron deficiency, which isn’t uncommon, you will always feel tired and irritable and find it difficult to focus. Add turmeric as one of your sources of iron.

Contains magnesium - You need magnesium for a healthy sleep cycle as it releases the sleep hormone melatonin. Therefore, having a warm turmeric-infused drink before bed can help you drift off for a peaceful slumber.

Abundant in potassium - Potassium converts protein into energy and balances blood pressure. This helps with studying, working, cleaning and enhancing sports performance. Potassium also reduces the risk of heart disease and developing type 2 diabetes.

Full of fibre - Turmeric is an excellent source of fibre, essential for a healthy digestive system. Your gut is responsible for communicating with your brain when to release certain hormones, so it must be well-cared for.

Source of calcium - Yes, surprisingly, turmeric contains calcium! Eating small amounts daily will increase calcium intake for strong bones and healthy teeth. 

Easy ways to eat turmeric

It’s easy to add turmeric to your diet in small amounts. Below are a few of our ideas to get you started:

Grate into porridge - Turmeric porridge? Yes! Make a warming porridge with turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. It goes well with citrus fruits such as orange to compliment the spicy zing.

Include in your veg shakes - Add turmeric to your morning veg shake for anti-inflammatory effects. It will give you consistent energy throughout the day while keeping your blood sugar levels steady.

Stir into curries - Give your curries a spice kick and grate turmeric into your meals for a natural, gold-yellow colour.

Make turmeric lattes - Whip up a turmeric latte with oat milk for a hot, frothy drink that gets your blood pumping. Leave out the espresso and add a teaspoon of vanilla essence for a soothing bedtime drink. Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of black pepper for those full benefits.

Mix into scrambled eggs - Take your scrambled eggs to the next level with a blend of cayenne pepper and turmeric. It’s a protein-fuelled breakfast with added iron and potassium.

We have a beautiful selection of turmeric products, including turmeric powder, capsules, tea and turmeric-infused sauerkraut. Check out our range today.

Browse the health foods that our customers love including our popular Californian Almonds, Golden Linseed, New Season's Apricots, Pitted Prunes, and more.

You can browse them all in our Bestsellers category.