Ingredients & Nutrition

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Madagascar

WHAT IS IT?

Madagascan Vanilla Pods are universally renowned as the best vanilla pods in the world. Of course, this comes with a price attached, commanding up to £480 per kg of vanilla beans. It is the second most expensive spice in the world after Saffron.

HOW IS IT MADE?

A combination of a perfect climate, soil conditions and diligent farmers means that the produce is of the highest standards. The vanilla pods are frozen and ground into a fine powder using food grade metal blades. The result is a very flavoursome vanilla powder with a high vanillin content.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

We add this to our signature protein blends to create a natural, rich and creamy vanilla taste.

There are also a few health benefits to the Vanilla plant. These little seeds have been shown to demonstrate antimicrobial properties and antioxidant action which helps to protect against disease and ageing.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

We are looking into suppliers that can offer direct trade relationships with local growers. We feel this is the most successful way to ensure our sustainability and ethical principle for our suppliers can be met to ensure their workers are looked after.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Ghana

WHAT IS IT?

Organic Cacao. A world away from your average chocolate bar. It’s a superfood and gives our products a wonderfully rich and grown up chocolate taste.

HOW IS IT MADE?

The beans are fermented, dried, roasted and cracked into nibs. Then, the nibs are pressed to remove 75% of their cocoa butter. This leaves us with chocolate liquor. The pasty liquor is dried and then ground into unsweetened cocoa powder.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

In addition to its rich, natural flavour, cacao is known for its health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been linked to several health benefits to include reduced risk of heart disease, improved insulin sensitivity and immune response. Research also suggests that the polyphenols (antioxidants) in cacao can improve mood, promoting calmness and contentedness.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

We are looking into suppliers that can offer direct trade relationships with local growers. We feel this is the most successful way to ensure our sustainability and ethical principle for our suppliers can be met to ensure their workers are looked after.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

WHAT IS IT?

Whey that has been filtered to increase the protein content and then dried into a powder.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Organic milk is separated into curds & whey (yes, think of Miss Muffet). The curds go on to be made into casein or cheese. Whey (the liquid part of the milk) makes up ~20% of the total protein, and casein (the curds) accounting for ~80%. See below for how we use Casein in our signature protein blend. The whey is then filtered to remove much of the lactose and fat, giving us a high protein whey protein concentrate which is then spray dried into a powder for use.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Organic whey protein is great as it acts as the ‘quick release’ part of our signature blend to provide the body with nutritious and quickly available proteins soon after consuming. This is perfect for fueling the muscle-building process after exercise.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Holland

WHAT IS IT?

The word casein is derived from the Latin caseus, meaning cheese, and refers to a group of proteins that are found in cow’s milk. It is these milk ‘solids’ that form the bulk of the curds, which are then made into Micellar Casein powder. Don’t worry, the taste is very neutral and not at all like cheese.

HOW IS IT MADE?

The Micellar Casein is supplied by a dairy farmer’s cooperative in Holland. They work collectively to make their farms more sustainable through reducing energy consumption, improving the mineral cycle, reducing the use of antibiotics and improving animal welfare.

Cows in the meadow are a typical feature of the Dutch countryside. Outdoor grazing is promoted by offering the cooperative members a special premium which ensures the cows to graze outdoors a minimum of 120 days a year. During the colder months the cows are brought back inside are fed silage (essentially pasture grass that has been 'pickled', doesn’t sound super tasty but the cows love it).

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Casein does not mix that well with water and forms a suspension in milk. This insolubility increases when it is combined with acidic liquids, such as stomach acid, and it is this quality that results in its slow absorption, forming a gel that is gradually digested over a 7-8 hour period. This provides the body with a steady stream of protein.

We are fans of organic. The majority of our ingredients and raw materials are sourced from organic suppliers. But so far we have been unable to find a reliable Casein supplier who can meet our requirements. Our supplier provides an excellent quality product and rest assured we will find an organic provider very soon.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

China

WHAT IS IT?

Pea protein is obtained by a process including dry and liquid phases. First, during a dry process, the outer shell of the pea (essentially consisting of insoluble fibres), is removed by mechanical action. After milling, a flour containing soluble fibres, starches and proteins is obtained.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Naturally vegan, hypoallergenic and easily digestible. It is a high-quality protein and a great source of iron. It also has 4x L-arginine as whey, which is great for healthy blood flow and heart health.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Austria

HOW IS IT MADE?

Made by grinding pressed hemp seeds into a fine powder. It has an earthy, nutty taste.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

With 25% of its total calories coming from protein, it is a great source of protein, interestingly on par with beef and lamb by weight. This is considerably more than similar foods like chia seeds and flaxseeds, whose calories are 16-18% protein. With an earthy, nutty taste it is a great accompaniment to the pea.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Romania

HOW IS IT MADE?

Pumpkin protein powder is obtained during the cold-processed extraction of the pumpkin seed oil. The left-over of this extraction process is called a "press cake". This cake is then taken to a mill where it is ground into flour.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of healthful oils, magnesium and zinc in addition to other nutrients that enhance the health of the heart, bones, and other functions. Interesting pumpkin seeds are used by some as an aphrodisiac. Which is an added bonus.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

France

HOW IS IT MADE?

Free range eggs are broken to separate the yolks and whites. The egg whites are then pasteurised and dried into a powder.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Egg whites are high in protein but low in calories. In fact, they pack around 67% of all the protein found in eggs. After they are consumed, egg whites peak in releasing amino acids into the bloodstream around 2hrs. This forms the ‘medium’ release portion of our signature whey protein blend.

WHAT WE WE WORKING TO IMPROVE?

We are looking for British suppliers.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Indonesia

WHAT IS IT?

The crystallised nectar of the coconut palm tree blossom.

HOW IS IT MADE?

The coconut blossom is harvested, then filtered and boiled until dry. It is then milled and sieved, giving us a fine powder that can be easily blended into the whey protein.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Coconut blossom sugar retains quite a bit of the nutrients found in the coconut palm. Most notable of these are the minerals iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with some short-chain fatty acids like polyphenols and antioxidants.

And most useful of all, it contains a fibre called inulin, which slows down glucose absorption and explains why coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular refined (white) sugar.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UAE

WHAT IS IT?

Ground dates or date powder is a natural sweetener made from dried dates.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Dates are dried and ground into a coarse granular powder before use, A more common method is to make a paste from raw dates and then mix with maltodextrin (a common food additive) dried before being ground into granules. We don’t use this version, we use 100% date powder and want the sweetness from the date without anything added.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Date powder is a natural sweetener but it is not crystalline like traditional sugar, meaning that you can get nutrients from it.. One of the most significant nutrients is fibre. With as much as 8g per 100g. Additionally the fact that dates are dehydrated in order to make it results in no loss to mineral content. As much as 11% of your magnesium RDA and 10% copper is contained in 100g of date powder.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

We originally questioned sourcing from the UAE due a number of human rights concerns. However, we were happy to find a supplier with a robust ethical and social responsible framework which we are happy to encourage and support.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

India

WHAT IS IT?

Apple fruit powder is a natural sweetener made from dried apples. 

HOW IS IT MADE?

Dehydrated apple pulp is blended and pulsed until the powder is formed. 

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Like date powder we use apple powder as a natural sweetener. High levels of polyphenol provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Additionally due to the relative high proportion of fructose, it has a lower glycemic index meaning less impactful on blood glucose levels and insulin release.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

China

WHAT IS IT?

The stevia plant has been used as a natural sweetener in South America for years. This high intensity sweetener is made from the leaves of the plant species, Stevia rebaudiana.

HOW IS IT MADE?

To extract the plant’s intense sweetness, stevia leaves are harvested and dried. The leaves are then steeped in hot water. After multiple stages of filtering and centrifuging to concentrate the sweetest components of the leaf, the resulting purified stevia leaf extract is spray dried and ready to be processed.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Stevia is a nonnutritive sweetener. Meaning it has almost no calories. We have sourced a highly purified extract of stevia called Rebaudioside A (Reb A). Reb A is the sweetest and is 100% Stevia, the majority of the products you can find in the supermarket are Maltodextrin & Stevia which we didn’t want. It is also low GI, meaning it will not raise blood sugar levels and is therefore safe for diabetics and also those who hate the sugar crash and shakes from protein powders filled with sugar.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

Despite being native to Paraguay and used since the 16th Century, 80% of global production is now from China. As the biggest market there is better consistency of product and less pricing fluctuations. That said, we would rather use an alternative market and are actively on the look out for one.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

France

WHAT IS IT?

Erythritol is a natural sweetener (despite the god-awful sounding name) that occurs naturally in small quantities in fruits and fungi like grapes, melons and mushrooms.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Erythritol is made by fermenting corn starch with a certain type of yeast (Moniliella pollinis)

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Erythritol is another non-caloric, plant-derived sweetener known for having good digestibility without having any impact on blood glucose or insulin levels, so can be useful for anyone with diabetes or for those at risk of diabetes. In addition, erythritol is also known for its antioxidant properties.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Guatemala and East London

HOW IS IT MADE?

Single-origin coffee from Esquipulas Cooperative in Guatemala, roast, grind and then steeped the coffee for 24 hours in cold water and then fine filter it.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Union operates a Union Direct Trade model and were one of the first roasters in the UK to trade directly with coffee farmers. This means the farmer receives a fair and sustainable price. Always cover the cost of production, in 2019 on average 35% above minimum Fairtrade price and 69% above world market price. Direct Trade coffee aligns with our principle of Conscious Consumption. Did we mention that we love their coffee and its a perfect addition to “Type-A Fuel”.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

HOW IS IT MADE?

Oat milk consists of steel-cut oats or whole groats that are soaked in water, blended, and then strained with a cheesecloth or a special nut milk bag.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

As a 100% whole grain, they're filled with fiber, plant-based protein, B vitamins, and minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. They've also been linked to reduced risk of heart disease thanks to a type of fibre called beta-glucan that's been shown to improve cholesterol levels. It is also a good choice for anyone allergic or dairy intolerant.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Sourced in CA, USA and produced in the UK

HOW IS IT MADE?

Roasted in their skins and then crushed into a smooth and creamy texture. Nothing else is added.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Almond butter is a whole food and packs the same amount of protein per gram as meat, whilst providing fibre, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an array of minerals inc potassium, calcium and magnesium. It’s a great alternative to peanut butter. We use Meridian to supply our almond butter, which is made with 100% organic almonds and contains no palm oil.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

80% of the world's almonds are grown in California. Whilst the million acres of almond trees look stunning when in bloom, we are aware of the large amounts of water used in production. As such we are keeping our eyes open for alternatives.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Turkey

HOW IS IT MADE?

100% hazelnut. Roasted and crushed.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Its a rich source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, manganese and copper.

It also has a high content of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and like almond butter, its an alternative to peanut butter and also tastes great. Meridian supply our hazelnut butter and like almond it is made with 100% nuts with no added salt or sugar and absolutely no palm oil.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Italy

HOW IS IT MADE?

Roasted hazelnuts are soaked in water, strained and rinsed and then blended with fresh water until creamy. It is strained once again.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Hazelnut milk is less bitter than some nut milks and also a host of other benefits. The skin of hazelnuts has 3 times the total antioxidant capacity of walnuts, 7 times that of dark chocolate, 10 times that of espresso, and 25 times that of blackberries. It is also a great source of vitamins B1, B2 and B6.

Rude Health hazelnut milk is organic and has a rich, sweet flavour from roasted Italian tondo gentile hazelnut. Its silky texture comes from a little rice blended into the mountain spring water. 

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Italy

HOW IS IT MADE?

Cowhides are cleaned thoroughly and soaked to remove fat. They’re soaked again in water up to 190 degrees F°, to facilitate the release of the collagen. The last steps are composed of a series of evaporation and milling techniques, which gives us the final result of a pure collagen protein powder.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Collagen is associated with a number of health benefits. To start, supplements may improve skin health by reducing wrinkles and dryness. They may also help increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, and relieve joint pain. We use high protein, unflavoured collagen which is added to our fresh green juice in the “Better than Botox”

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

We are keeping our eyes open for organic collagen. This is hard to find and even harder to verify its organic status.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Adding gluten-free oats to our Smart Food range not only provides a nutty flavour but since they are loaded with fibre they fill you up for longer. Fibre also helps lower cholesterol, improves digestion and lowers blood sugar. Additionally oats provide minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

HIMALAYAN PINK SALT

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Pakistan

WHAT IS IT?

A rose pink salt mined at the foot of the Himalayan mountain range, without the use of child labour.

WHY DO WE LIKE IT?

Himalayan Pink Salt is packed with over 84 trace minerals and elements, as opposed to table salt that is 97.5% sodium chloride. Excess sodium increases your risk of hypertension, osteoporosis, and kidney disease, whereas the diversity of elements in Himalayan pink salt is shown to create an electrolyte balance within your body, strengthen bones, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation.

FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

We buy seasonal fruit and vegetables from New Covent Garden Market in Nine Elms London. With 57 acres of market and 200 suppliers we can ensure we get the most suitable fresh produce. As we blend or cold-press everything used, we favour “less attractive” fruit and veg that others may have overlooked.