the edible beanlike pods of the spiny trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Prosopis, of western North America, having bipinnate leaves and often forming dense thickets.
Mesquite is a traditional staple food of indigenous cultures from the arid regions of the Americas. Native to South America, the mesquite tree produces large seed-filled pods, which are collected, ground into a delicious flour, and used in recipes. Desert dwellers often relied upon the sweet pods as a staple food, and would even use them as a bartering tool with neighboring tribes. Today, mesquites distinct flavor and smell continue to be enjoyed in many culinary applications, and its health benefits widely respected. Navitas Naturals offers this food in its traditional and organic powder form.
Mesquite is of particularly great value to those looking to balance blood sugar levels. Mesquite flour offers a naturally sweet flavor to recipes, but its sugars are derived from fructose (which does not require insulin to digest and is readily metabolized). Additionally, the flour is an excellent form of fiber meeting almost a quarter of daily needs in just two tablespoons which not only improves digestion but further benefits sugar metabolism. Mesquite also contains lysine (an amino acid), as well as notable quantities of digestible protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. As such a balanced food, it is easy to see why our Native American ancestors relied so heavily on mesquite as a staple form of delicious nourishment.
Navitas Naturals Mesquite Power carries a sweet, smoky flavor that is similar to carob, with caramel undertones. Its rich taste and aroma pairs well with both vanilla and chocolate, and it lends a delightful maltiness when used in sweet treats. Mesquite blends beautifully with any plant or animal-based milk, it is an excellent addition to smoothies, and is absolutely fantastic sprinkled into ice cream. Exquisite malty chocolate can be concocted, and mesquite can also be used as an aromatic partial flour substitute. This is a wonderful food to experiment with.