Six Varieties for Your Doshas and Taste – Ingredient-wise:
1. Traditional Flavor: Wholesome, sweet, and crunchy, the original traditional recipe is a healthy snack with a delicious nutty flavor, nourishing and balancing to the physiology - the agni of the sesame seeds is balanced by the soma of the raw sugar making it a perfect blend. Enjoy a piece with breakfast, or after meals, on the go, to satisfy your sweet tooth and nourish your body and mind.
2. Spicy Sesame Crunch: Great for kapha body types, or if you’re agni is a little on the low side. It helps open the channels and pacify tarpaka kapha & shleshaka kapha. Kapha body types can really benefit from a little Black Pepper in the cold season, or anytime of the year. Did you know that modern science also shows that Black Pepper carries benefits for the functions of the brain? Studies showed that Piperine, an active compound in black pepper, inhibits an enzyme that breaks down the calming neurotransmitter serotonin; yet another study published in the December 2012 issue of “Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters” found that black pepper might help prevent and treat Parkinson’s disease. Researchers noted that piperine inhibits a type of enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is deficient in Parkinson’s disease patients; Black pepper might forestall brain aging and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in a 2012 “Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease;” Anti-seizure effects of black pepper were demonstrated in a study published in a 2010 issue of “Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin;” and finally Black pepper improved swallowing ability in stroke patients in a study published in the September 2006 “Journal of the American Geriatric Society.” Participants inhaled an infusion of black pepper oil for a minute per day for a month. Results showed increased activation of the area of the brain that controls the swallowing reflex.
What does Bhav Prakash say about the rasa (taste) and gunas (qualities) of Black Pepper (Marich)?
Maricam katukam tiksnam dipanam kaphavatajit
Usnam pittakaram ruksam svasasulakrmin haret
Maricam katukam: Black Pepper is pungent. Tiksnam: Sharp. Dipana: It enhances agni, enhances the flame. Kaphavataji: Pacifies kapha and vata. Usnam: The virya is hot. Pittakaram: Increases pitta. Ruksam: Dry and gives drying effect.
3. Fennel Sesame Crunch: ideal for pitta body types – particularly women in their pre or post-menopausal stage of life – can benefit a lot from the addition of fennel. Fennel is pro-estrogenic and will give them more bliss by raising estrogen levels just enough. This hormone plus the increase in serotonin will give more bliss and reduce emotional and mental stress.
4. Cardamom Sesame Crunch: This variation is very good to pacify vata and pitta. It opens the brain channels, supports bliss, and aids in protein absorption. Anyone who loves cardamom will find this crunch magical. I use the hard to find long variety of cardamom. This variety has an amazing aroma. Special care was taken to protect this aroma (and all the other aromas) used in making all the flavors of the Sesame Crunch.
5. Rose Sesame Crunch: This crunch gives all the benefits of rose particularly useful for high pitta types whether facing emotional challenges or not. I made this variety especially for them. In this age of Kali Yuga it’s hard to keep Sadhak Pitta in balance for anyone, so this flavor is actually great for all. Eat just one crunch and for at least one hour your bliss will be restored – some have reported a rosy breath too! Special organic Rosa Centifolia petals were imported from India just for this Sesame Crunch. Find out more about the amazing properties of eating rose petals in my blog article – Top 11 Ayurvedic Properties of Rose: The Queen of Flowers.
6. Cacao Sesame Crunch: And here is the black sheep of the bunch! I personally do not care at all for chocolate. I did not grow up eating it, and having tried it later in life, I do not understand the fascination with it. According to my SVA findings, chocolate can clog your channels and sandhis (gaps) especially the five bhutagnis (liver burners). However, many of my lady clients repeatedly request it, so if you must have it, make sure you are choosing cacao instead of cocoa. As I said, in SVA, the cacao bean is not on my top list of edible items, even though when minimally-processed, or raw, cacao beans are confirmed superfoods. Here’s an impressive list of the raw cacao bean’s health benefits: Antioxidant effects. Cacao beans are absolutely packed with phenolic phytochemicals and flavonoids, which protect your cells against damage from free radicals. Oxidative damage can result in premature aging and many of the modern chronic health conditions. Boosts your mood and cognitive performance. Epicatechin, the main flavonoid in cacao was shown to improve various aspects of cognition, preserve cognitive abilities during aging, and improve overall mood. Lowers blood pressure. Recent studies found that flavanols lower blood pressure and increase blood vessel flexibility. Protects the heart. Researchers found that flavanols and procyanidins from cacao increased antioxidant capacity in the blood plasma and reduced platelet reactivity, resulting in a healthier heart. Regulates insulin levels. Epicatechin, a flavanol in cacao, activates key proteins and help regulate glucose production, even among diabetics. Cacao beans are also rich in nutrients like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese. They’re actually thought to be one of the richest food sources of magnesium around. Keep in mind, cacao is NOT cocoa! If you must have chocolate, go for the unprocessed raw or least processed cacao powder, or nibs, or chunks. Cocoa starts the same way cacao does: harvested from the cacao plant’s seed pods. The processing makes all the difference, however. Cocoa is heated at much higher temperatures resulting in a less bitter and somewhat sweeter flavor, but also different health effects.There are actually two types of cocoa available: 1) Dark cocoa, undergoes processing with an alkalized chemical solution. This processing further depletes and degrades the cacao’s healhty antioxidant and nutrient content. 2) Natural cocoa powder tastes a little more acidic and bitter than the dark version, but it’s still not as nutritionally dense as cacao powder. Bottom-line: you want to go with cacao rather than cocoa because cocoa powder “mixes” often contain added sugar and/or other sweeteners. Of course, this is one of the reasons why cocoa tends to be cheaper than cacao and easier to find. Look for high-quality cocoa without added sugars, dairy products, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or emulsifiers. This is the kind I use in my Sesame Crunch, and the only kind you should be going after if you are seeking the health benefits along with the bitter and sweet chocolate taste you are craving!
You can also find other recipes on my Youtube channel: such as my chocolate laddoo recipe that uses spices to counterbalance the clogging effect of the chocolate – https://vaidyamishra.com/blog/?s=chocolate.
This is, then, my gift to you, this holiday season – guilt-free nutrition-packed sweets that you can enjoy with your morning cup of tea, after your meals, or as a stand-alone snack. Anytime of the day or the year is the right time to bite into a sesame crunch! Happy Holidays!
2 oz, 6 oz, or 18 oz.
SVA Rose Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum), Organic Rose Petals (Rosa centifolia).
SVA Fennel Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum), Organic Fennel Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare).
SVA Cardamom Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum), Organic Green Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).
SVA Spicy Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum), Organic Black Pepper (Piper nigrum).
SVA Cacao Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum), Organic Cacao Powder (Theobroma cacao).
SVA Sesame Crunch (proprietary recipe) with Organic White Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum), Organic raw cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum).
Disclaimer
This product and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. All of the information above is intended to be used for educational purposes only and may not be used to replace or compliment medical advice.
Posted by Francesca on 26th Feb 2017
The best treat you will ever experience....exquisite tastes,all are my favorites but if I could only have one it would be rose...I bought a sampler tin and made a little piggy of myself... they are special so next time I will hopefully have more control of this wonderful product.
Posted by Bianca on 7th Jan 2017
OMG! I just received the sampler pack and am absolutely in heaven! Both me and my mother were so surprised that they were ALL so delicious. I think the tastes of this crunch is divine. I will be ordering more :-)
Posted by Tamara Kulow on 21st Dec 2016
Started with the cocoa flavor - thought it would be best. But the next one, cardamom, delighted my tastebuds too, as did each flavor in the entire collection! They were remarkably fresh and crispy too, the way a good sesame wafer should be.