The route of superfoods in Madrid
AÇAI
What is? The açaí is a fruit very similar to the blueberry and very typical of Brazilian cuisine. Its bitter taste is similar to chocolate, which makes it a widely used food in pastries, juices, smoothies and even liqueurs. His properties? It is a super antioxidant -compared to black grapes, it has 33 times more antioxidants-, lowers cholesterol levels, rejuvenates, promotes digestion and provides energy. It also helps lose weight. Some say that it is the most complete fruit on the planet.
Where to try it? At ** Magasand ** (Columela, 4; Travesía de San Mateo, 16; Tomás Bretón, 52) they serve açaí smoothies with banana or apple and spectacular breakfast bowls with Brazilian açaí pulp. At the ** Trigo de Oro ** pastry shop (Delicias, 113), a temple of Brazilian confectionery, starting in June they prepare natural ice creams and chocolates made entirely from açaí. And in the colonial premises of ** Areia Chillout ** (Hortaleza, 92) they prepare smoothies with natural açaí pulp for 4 or 5 euros (depending on the time you drink it).
The delicious açaí
At ** Fit Food ** (Serrano, 48; Augusto Figueroa, 28) they offer you three very complete bowls that include this magnificent Brazilian fruit: My Favorite Acai (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and to strengthen bones) with açaí, banana, dried fruit crumble, honey, fresh seasonal fruit and grated coconut. The Green Acai (antioxidant, energizing and protein), with açaí, spinach, banana, almond milk, dried fruit crumble, hemp seeds, fresh seasonal fruit and grated coconut. And the Acai Peanut Power (energizing, muscle restorative and good for the heart) with açaí, banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, dried fruit crumble, fresh seasonal fruit and grated coconut. To all these bowls you can add other superfoods such as Goji berries or chia seeds . Its price: from 7 euros.
Acai with muesli
Where to buy it? In the Mercado de San Miguel there is a little stall that sells fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, organic products and tropical fruits, including frozen natural açaí pulp. It's called ** La Flor de San Miguel ** and they offer a kilo package for 16 euros. You can order online or by phone and pick it up at the store to avoid queues. On the other hand, in the Puerta Bonita shopping center, we find ** Kibom ** (Castrogeriz, 14), a store specializing in Brazilian products where they also sell concentrated frozen açaí pulp and the same powdered fruit. At ** Ecocentro ** (Esquilache, 2) we can find bags of organic açaí powder of 125 grams (29.95 euros) and juices as a food supplement (18.74 euros). But not only that, here we can also buy açaí in cosmetics such as peelings, moisturizing lotions, deodorants or lip balms.
QUINOA
What is? Since the UN declared 2013 as the "International Year of Quinoa", the success of this little seed has not stopped growing. It comes from the Andes and is a key food for its great contribution of vitamins, its content of iron, carbohydrates, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, folic acid and a large amount of vitamins. As it does not contain gluten, it is ideal for celiacs, while its fiber content improves digestion and its essential amino acids repair tissues. The Incas called it "the mother grain".
Where to try it? At ** Lady Madonna ** (Orellana, 6) they serve an exquisite quinoa salad with goat cheese and grapes (9.70 euros); at ** The Market Madrid ** (Príncipe de Vergara, 202) they combine this grain with fish and vegetables in their plate of cod confit, quinoa and green beans (19 euros for the entire portion); and at ** Zoco Comidero Bar ** (Morería, 11) they serve a nutritious quinoa and sweet potato salad, with baby spinach, red onion, avocado, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, house crackers and hummus (9 euros); and a tuna tartar with avocado, lime, black sesame, quinoa pops, special mustard and house sprouts (10.9 euros).
in the cozy Lucas Garden Canteen (San Lucas, 13) we can order two delicious dishes where quinoa gives the healthiest touch: quinoa and amaranth tabbouleh with citrus sauce (8.5 euros) and roasted pumpkin with spiced quinoa and seeds (12 euros). At ** Tanta Madrid ** (Plaza de Perú, 1), a restaurant specializing in Andean food, they offer a very fresh quinoa salad with avocado, cucumber, tomato, onion and herbs for 11 euros.
At the tapas bar ** Vega ** (Luna, 9) they prepare vegan, homemade and organic menus where quinoa is never lacking. Among its dishes, the quinoa and avocado salad or the Thai green curry with quinoa do not disappoint. In the 100% vegetarian restaurant ** Botanique ** located in the Antón Martín Market, they prepare little skewers of pepper stuffed with quinoa, garlic and mushroom (2 euros) that will make you go to heaven. And at ** Al Natural ** (Zorrilla, 11) they cook an aubergine stuffed with vegetables and quinoa au gratin with cheese or almond vegychesse.
Quinoa Stuffed Pepper
Where to buy it? Quinoa is an easy product to find in supermarkets such as Mercadona or El Corte Inglés. All in all, our favorite places to fill the basket are the luke's orchard , where they sell it in different packagings: precooked, in bulk, royal quinoa, red quinoa.... In ecocenter In addition to selling the grain, they offer products such as quinoa hamburgers, flower bread, pasta, cookies and even baby food. Everything with quinoa. At ** Kiki Market ** (Cava Alta, 21) you can find 500-gram bio packages of Quinoa Real Bio and rice pancakes with quinoa (perfect for breakfast). And not only that: sometimes they organize gluten-free cereal workshops where they teach you how to prepare delicious dishes like a quinoa tabbouleh.
kale
What is? It is kale, the traditional collard greens, a food that is super trendy for its nutritional properties. It is the first cousin of broccoli and its intense green leaves contain great vitamins and minerals. It comes from Asia and contains more calcium than milk, more iron than meat and 10 times more vitamins than spinach. They claim that it has anticancer and detoxifying properties. It helps our eyesight, activates the immune system, promotes bone health and regulates cholesterol among other virtues. A marvel!
Where to try it? At ** Le Pain Quotidien ** they serve a delicious Caesar salad with kale leaves (11.95 euros), a red quinoa detox salad with kale (10.95 euros) and a green detox juice that has green apple, orange, kale, spinach, fennel and ginger (3.90 euros) . In botanical They serve another salad that is worth trying: the Enzymatic Salad with kale, green leaves, sprouts, tomato and homemade raw sauerkraut (7 euros). And in the restaurant ** Mama Campo ** (Trafalgar, 22) they use kale to make an exquisite cream that accompanies a fish and seaweed cake.
At ** Ferry Madrid ** (Sandoval, 12) they live by and for kale. They like it so much that from time to time they offer a complete seasonal menu made from this vegetable. Here we can find everything from salads, croquettes and kale burgers, kale cream with hazelnuts, kale risotto with boletus, even brownie with chocolate and kale. Ask for their Kale Madness Menu and enjoy!
Where to buy it? Our favourites: in Kiki's Market They sell fresh kale daily and powdered from the Biotona brand. Fresh costs €4.10/Kg; If you buy a 200-gram powder package, it costs 14.35 euros and if you opt for the healthy chips, a 35-gram package costs 3.05 euros. Maica from Kiki Market tells us that her customers go crazy for fresh kale. "Here we receive it every day. You can use it in salads, juices, creams... it is delicious and provides a large amount of nutrients. It is curious to see how elderly clients who did not know how they have incorporated it into their daily diet, That's for a reason!"
They also sell fresh (and certified organic) kale in Mom Country , in his charming shop that is just around the corner from the restaurant. In ** Veggie Room ** (San Vicente Ferrer, 21) you can find organic smoothies made with orange, apple, pear, banana, peach, kale and spinach, wheat grass and Matcha tea (2.95 euros) and delicious chips of kale to peck (3.30 euros) . And in the Native Seed Ecological Store (Vallehermoso, 42) They sell 4 varieties of kale. All ECO.
chia seeds
CHIA
What is? It is another type of seed with multiple virtues for our health. Originally from Mexico and Guatemala, they contain large amounts of Omega3, fiber, calcium, manganese and phosphorus. They are good for the brain and heart, stabilize blood sugar, help the digestive system, soothe joint pain, reduce cholesterol and are good allies in a slimming diet due to their satiating power. Their flavor reminds us of nuts and they are easy to take in salads, soups, juices or even as a powder diluted in water.
Where to try it? In Food souk we find several dishes made with this seed for breakfast, such as chia pancakes with chocolate popcorn; the Chia super power puff, with chia, peanut butter, and berries (5.5 euros); and the chia pudding with seasonal fruits (6 euros). They also serve various smoothies with this superfood, such as their horchiata , with HO2 , tiger nut, agave honey and chia (4.95 euros) . In FitFood They bet on chia puddings and even teach you how to prepare them on their blog.
In To Nature For this season they prepare pumpkin and almond cream with chia seeds and orange aroma, while in spring they serve salads of chicory, papaya, buffalo cheese and chia seeds in lime sauce. and in the bakery Home Bakery from the Las Tablas neighborhood make loaves of bread with chia seeds every day in their workshop.
In drink you can try these seeds in some of the cocktails that they serve in The Orchard (Paseo de la Florida, 53): the Tropical, the Paradisiaco and the ¡Mojito! They carry chia And if you are looking for more juices with these magical grains, try the ones they make at ** Juicy Avenue ** (Fuencarral, 93), where they also serve bowls with skimmed yogurt, chia, granola, raspberries, agave syrup and coconut.
Where to buy it? Chia seeds are sold in health food stores such as ** Lola ** (Blasco de Garay, 17), where a 250-gram package of organic farming costs 4.63 euros. In Ruiz House (Hermosilla, 88) you can buy them in bulk and in Kiki's Market They sell a packet of 300 grams for 10.50 euros. "We should incorporate chia seeds into our daily diet, they are easy to take with a tablespoon a day, they provide a large amount of Omega3, present in oily fish, which due to our rhythm of life we do not take enough", recommends Maica, from Kiki Market. How about a chia snack? In the supermarkets The Orchard they sell it for 1.5 euros; in addition to bread, cookies and biscuits made with this superfood. And all with organic certification.
The fruit that heals
LUCUMA
What is? Lucuma is another fruit that heals and provides health. It comes from Peru and contains iron, beta-carotene and niacin, a powerful ally against depression. Its nutritional properties reduce cholesterol levels and the chances of having heart attacks, in addition to increasing the efficiency of the immune system. With its pulp flour is made and it is a delicious fruit to prepare desserts.
Where to try it? Lucuma is easy to find in ice creams, sorbets, puddings or cakes. In So Much Madrid They serve it on ice cream for 7 euros. Also in the Peruvian restaurant Tampo (Suero de Quiñones, 3) and at ** La Cevicuchería ** (Téllez, 20), a Peruvian market cuisine restaurant, they serve it in ice cream format with nuts (5 euros). The latter also adds the fruit in a cream that accompanies a delicious chocolate cake (7.50 euros) and prepares it in a mousse.
Lucuma cheesecake is another very typical and exotic Peruvian dessert. We love those who serve in Mis Tradiciones (Pº Yeserías, 5) and Piscomar (San Isidoro de Sevilla, 4). In The Inca (Gravina, 23) surprise us with a gypsy arm stuffed with lucuma (4.50 euros).
Where to buy it? In the Huerto de Lucas they sell sachets of 100 grams of lucuma powder. And in the Maravillas Market there is the Amazonas stand specialized in Latin American products that offers lucuma in fruit and pulp.
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