Local Loves: Raw Chocolate Peppermint Pie

On a recent trip to St Ives we made a return visit to Living Food. This time we came away with a raw chocolate peppermint pie, and a helpful leaflet explaining what exactly a raw chocolate pie is.

The introduction explains:

Our very own Raw Chocolate Pie — dairy free, sugar free, gluten free… guilt free! Delicious too — raw chocolate is so good for you.

In many civilisations chocolate is considered a medicine. It is primarily here in the West that we destroy the benefits of chocolate by adding fat and sugar to it. Raw chocolate is a powerful anti-oxidant and an energy boost, a support for heart and brain. Vegetarian and Vegan friendly.

While I’d agree that it was delicious, and wonderfully minty, it’s the health claims that I find difficult to stomach. The ingredients are raw cacao nibs, coconut butter, agave nectar, lucuma powder, ground almonds, carob flour, and peppermint essence. Coconut butter is almost entirely fat, of which around 85% is saturated. Agave nectar is around 70% fructose and 20% glucose, and while the health effects of fructose in comparison to sucrose are still being studied there’s no denying that it’s still a sugar. Enjoy it as a snack, but please don’t pretend it’s good for you.

Rant over, let’s talk about the positives. Its taste was like dark minty chocolate, but much stronger — the bars might not look big but you’ll be eating them in small pieces. Despite the slightly greasy outer surface the inside was drier, slightly crumbly, and quite crunchy. If you’re ever in St Ives I’d certainly recommend popping in to Living Foods and giving one a try (and they have free samples).