[#SupportLocal] Snack Healthy With ZENKO Superfoods’ Ancient Grain Clusters

ZENKO Superfoods, a Singaporean brand on a mission to uncover the best superfoods from around the world and to introduce a lifestyle of guilt-free superfood snacking, has recently introduced a new range of products, Ancient Grain Clusters, after the launch of their Water Lily Pops.

“After successfully launching our water lily pops in all major retailers across Singapore in 2021, we wanted to make good on our promise and launch a new superfood snack within one year,” shares Wouter Duyck, Co-Founder of ZENKO Superfoods.

The new Ancient Grain Clusters are made from sorghum, one of the seven ancient grains that is used to make Baijiu (the famous Chinese liquor). Available in four flavours; Dark chocolate, Golden Honey, Apple Cinnamon and Salted Caramel, each packet retails at S$3.50 or you can purchase a bundle of 18 packs for S$50.

An advocate of sustainable agriculture and supporting the growth of the local communities in India, ZENKO Superfoods adopts a “seed-to-snack” model where it works directly with the local communities in a 5-step process – from harvesting, to roasting, popping, flavouring and packing of the seeds. This holistic approach allows ZENKO Superfoods to improve parts of the supply chain, ensure the quality of their products and work directly with the local farmers. The operation in India is managed by Co-Founder, Jochim Goedeweeck and Quality manager, Basil Tindemans, while Wouter helms the headquarters here in Singapore.

Sorghum – An Ancient Super Grain

Ancient grains have been around for about 10,000 years, when prehistoric communities started to transition from their hunter-gathering ways to farming. Amaranth, millet, kamut, sorghum, teff, farro and freekeh are just a handful of the many ancient grains that can still be found. They played a key role in the spiritual life of several ancient civilisations, such as the Aztecs, Greeks and Egyptians.

You might be wondering, is sorghum good for me? Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits.

Aid with digestion

A serving of sorghum contains 48% of the recommended daily intake of fiber, making it one of the most powerful grains for digestive health. This in turn helps to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, two of the most common chronic diseases worldwide.

Lower glycemic index

As compared to modern wheat such as corn and rice, sorghum has a decreased insulin and glycemic response. It is therefore a good substitute for rice in most recipes as it assists in managing glucose and insulin levels in individuals.

Gluten-free grain option

The USDA recognises sorghum as 100% gluten-free, making it safe for people with Celiac Disease or those who are gluten intolerant to eat it on a regular basis. Both sorghum flour and whole grain sorghum are great substitutes for wheat-based recipes.

High in antioxidants

Sorghum is high in antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins which helps to prevent cell and DNA damage. Antioxidants play a role in cancer prevention, and the intake of these powerful cell protectors has been shown to decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.

An excellent source of protein

This grain is a great source of protein. In fact, it provides as much protein as quinoa, a cereal grain renowned for its high protein content.

Taste Test

For snacks, tastiness is still an important factor for commercial success. We tried all four flavours of the Ancient Grain Clusters and found them to be pretty delicious. These are crunchier than the Water Lily Pops, making them more addictive in terms of texture. The flavours are also stronger and eating them felt like a cross between western-style popcorns and Chinese rice biscuits.

We particularly like the Dark Chocolate flavour and would recommend for a first try.

Pricing and Availability

The ZENKO Superfoods Ancient Grain Clusters (S$3.50) are now available online on ZENKO Superfoods’ website, Pandamart and Redmart, as well as other e-commerce platforms. ZENKO Superfoods can also be found exclusively at FairPrice Fínest.