Wellness Foods - August 2008 - (Page 15)

Healthy Spirits nearly two years to create a formula that would not compromise the integrity of our vodka,” explains Mandell. The new San Francisco-based distillery Lotus Vodka (www.lotusvodka.com) launched its core brand vodka enhanced with B vitamins – allegedly in such concentration that two drinks provide all your daily B needs. “Allegedly” because legally the company cannot make any such vitamin or health claims about its product. Lotus recently followed with its Blue Lotus brand vodka containing caffeine, taurine and guarana. natural but undesired chemical compounds produced or added during fermentation] and virtually free of trace methanol. We infuse this pure distillate with organic botanicals.” This trend is far from a fad. Not only are restaurants and bars clamoring for “better” alcohols, some hotel chains have bought into the long-term value of providing organic It’s “London Dry” and and sustainable a product of England, amenities. but Maison Jomere/ Last summer, Organic Spirit’s gin McCormick wears the USDA orDistillery ganic seal. Inc. (www. vodka360.com), launched its brand of eco-friendly spirit, 360 Vodka. 360 is bottled using 85-percent recycled glass and biodegradable packaging. As a part of its overall green efforts, McCormick donates $1 to environmental organizations for every 360 Vodka bottle closure returned through its “360 Close the Loop” program. Grown from the hardy and healthful agave cactus, tequila is one of the most likely candidates for an organic revolution. But so far the only certi ed organic tequila readily available is from 4 Copas USA Inc. (www.4copas.com), San Clemente, Calif. The company’s multigenerational distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, uses pure blue agave grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Although the health bene ts of agave syrup are well known (see More on the Web note), it remains to be determined if they make it through the distillation process intact. Following other “good for you, good for the Earth” paradigms, 4 Copas also markets a limited edition “sea turtle” bottle with proceeds going to Seaturtle.org. Green drinks The organic side of the health equation has made big leaps. Although organic wines have been around for years, only lately have makers of vodka, gin, whiskey and rum caught on to the marketing – and possibly health-related – positives of going organic. Maison Jomere Ltd./Organic Spirits Co. (www.maisonjomere.com), Plaistow, N.H., pioneered the production of organic whiskey from its 350-year-old distillery. Research is suggesting there could be some important health bene ts to people who drink single malt whiskies. Single malts contain the phytochemical ellagic acid, studied as a powerful anti-cancer antioxidant. In fact, whiskeys have more ellagic acid than red wine. Other phytochemicals are being discovered in aged spirits and are believed to be derived from the wood, such as oak, of the barrels in which they are aged as well as the botanical ingredients from which they are derived. Although Organic Spirits’ health angle is more about what hasn’t been added than what has, Davis points out the undeniable advantage of a pure, organic product. “Our distillate is totally free of congeners [impurities, such as PCBs or More on the Web For more on the uses of agave syrup, especially as a sweetener, see “Nutrition Beyond the Trends: Sweet Like Cactus”at www.foodprocessing.com/ articles/2007/065.html. Food Processing’s Wellness Foods™ www.wellnessfoodsonline.com http://www.activin.com http://www.lotusvodka.com http://www.activin.com http://www.maisonjomere.com http://www.vodka360.com http://www.vodka360.com http://www.4copas.com http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/065.html http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/065.html http://Seaturtle.org http://www.wellnessfoodsonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wellness Foods - August 2008

Wellness Foods - August 2008 Balance for Boomers Vitamins for Eye Health Nutraceutical Spirits New Views on Fiber

Wellness Foods - August 2008

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