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In view of the increase in the consumption of this native fruit of the Himalaya in the shape of a cherry, we have no choice but to inform the user, in order to help him to know what is he consuming (we must always be clear that they are a food and not a medicine), so he could choose between the different "berries" that at present are on the market.

The authentic berries of the Himalaya, and we underline the authentic, are the fruit of the Lycium barbarum, as we said, native specie of this so particular Chinese area at geographical and atmospheric level. In spite of everything, on the market we can find other berries, which although their aspect is practically identical (they are smaller and drier berries and with treacle they take the typical colour), but what is not the same, for the production process (grown) and dried (by machine) and for the specie in itself (it is an specie which has been adapted to his growing in different areas of China), are the nutritional characteristics.

It is not our task to say which are authentic and which not, we leave it to consumer’s judgement but we will only give a clue: the price.

Finally and meeting the objective of this article that has had an introduction longer than we wanted, we append the nutritional fact. Analyzed by the competent laboratories, the berries contain:

·     18 Amino acids

·     8 essential Amino acids

·     Carotenoids ( Beta-carotene, Zeaxantine, Fisaline, Betaine)

·     C Vitamin ( 500 times more than orange)

·     Vitamin: A, B1, B2, B6 and E

·     Omega: 3 and 6

·     Trace elements: Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Germanium, Selenium, Manganese, Nickel, Chromium, Magnesium, Cobalt, Cadmium and Phosphorus.

·     Iron: 11 mg.

·     Betasisterol

The passage of time implies a change of tendencies, although not an oblivion of past. Nowadays we experience a revolution in the world of cuisine, caused by the dynamics in the high gastronomy. It is valued more than never the flavour in one bite, the surprise in the palate and the thrill of senses in tenths of a second, sensations all of them that have led so much to the most avant-garde experimentation, as to the recovery of the skills and ancestral tricks.

The aromatic plants took up in this situation an essential place, so much for being legacy of the past, as for being a base for the future. Tired we all of artificial flavours provided by chemical additives, the aromatic plants regain the place that they should never have lost, for their aromatic and gustatory power and for their artlessness, not to mention the damage that salt, as the only condiment, is causing in the health of the contemporary society.

They complete their virtues with the versatility, since gathered and used in fresh are perfect, but dried they lose not even whit of their characteristics and add the value of convenience and immediate availability to our lives.

You plant of “The Flower of the Pyrenees”

Try to add thousand tonalities whit plants such as: SAVORY, BASIL, CARDAMOM, CUMIN, CORIANDER, DILL, TARRAGON, MINT, PROVENÇAL HERBS, LAUREL, MARJORAM, OREGANO, PARSLEY, ROSEMARY, SAGE, THYME…

In previous articles we spoke about the value of the aromatic plants as a substitute of salt in our diet; to a simple steak we can add, instead of salt, a pinch of oregano, thyme or savory, only to say some ones and we will see like this sad and colourless dish turns into an always different experience. And what can we say about fish? This dish that seems that only can be by the parsley accompanied... have you tried someday to shut up in an aluminium foil bundle fish with a pinch of white pepper and a few leaves of rosemary or thyme and to put it to the stove during 15 minutes? And like this, the list would be endless for as endless are also the tones and preferences of every palate.

But: what would happen if we could eliminate of our diet thanks to herbs another habitual excess called sugar? That maybe someone could brand us as madmen, sorcerers or smooth-tongued salesmen, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although we do not want to go into political, multinational too much loaded with economic interests discussions, we only will say to you that you should try to know STEVIA REBAUDIANA and you will do a discovery.