With all the love in the air this month, we thought we’d share some love by telling you the story behind the coconut oil we use.
The oil we have selected as the base for all our products is premium certified organic (NASAA) coconut oil by Niulife. This pure virgin coconut oil has been harvested from mature fresh coconuts. pressed and processed by Direct Micro Expelling (DME), an Australian technology enabling the fastest processing in order to retain the goodness of fresh coconuts. As it is untouched by heat or chemical treatment before, during or after pressing, every living enzyme and nutrient is left intact to nourish skin and hair. It smells and tastes delicious and whilst our products are designed for your skin and hair, we believe that anything that goes on your body should be good enough to eat. After all 60% of what you apply to your skin is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and your system.
Now to the best part of the story….when you buy our products or Niulife products you help Kokonut Pacific (the social enterprise behind the Niulife brand) to continue its work in the Pacific islands – in particular in the Solomon Islands.
Kokonut Pacific manage the value chain from village based producers to final quality control, packaging and export. They manage a Certified Organic Grower Group with hundreds of growers in remote islands and communities tending nearly half a million coconut trees! These supply some 30 production units spread across the country providing valuable and flexible jobs to women and youth that respect the other responsibilities people have. The income is spread far and wide through traditional relationships and the multiplier effect in the local economy is about five times better than for copra production. The money gets spent on many things including school fees, community projects and solar lights.
Because coconuts are produced throughout the year, the project has created permanent rural jobs for 400 men and women supporting about 3,200 people. A good story!
Sharing more love …..and chocolate!
We can’t resist Niulife’s delicious homemade chocolates so it’s only fair that we share the recipe…..
Ingredients
• ¼ cup Niulife Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, melted
• 3 tablespoons Niulife Coconut Syrup
• ¼ cup raw cacao powder
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
Instructions
1.In a mixing bowl mix together mix together melted coconut oil, coconut syrup and vanilla extract.
2.Add in cocoa powder and salt and stir until very smooth and all cocoa clumps disappear.
3. Pour into desired container (or flat onto parchment paper) and add toppings (see photo for inspiration).
4. Freeze until solid, about 20 minutes.
5. Store in the freezer as these bars can melt at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Thanks to Niulife for photos and information
