One of the ways you can tell if a product is good for you is if you can pronounce the ingredients. Unhealthy additives, preservatives, and flavorings often have complicated and technical names like Monosodium glutamate that are hard to say – and hard to swallow.
In Pacari, we insist that our ingredients are pure, and we’re very proud of that.
But one ingredient that may cause you some pause when you read our ingredient list is sunflower lecithin. Everyone knows what a sunflower is, but what is lecithin? And why is it in our chocolates?
Lecithin
Lecithin comes from the Greek lekithos, meaning egg yolk, and is a term used to describe yellow-brownish fatty substances that occur naturally in animal and plant tissues.
It is used in food to provide a smooth, moist texture and to keep ingredients from separating. Because we are committed to creating yummy chocolates that are cruelty-free, we use sunflower lecithin in our chocolate bars. So don't worry, no animals are harmed in the making of our chocolates! :)
Sunflower Lecithin
Sunflower lecithin is made by dehydrating a sunflower and separating it into three parts:
- Oil
- Gum
- Solids
The lecithin comes from the gum. It is processed through a cold press system, similar to making Olive Oil
Sunflower Lecithin vs. Soy Lecithin
Most companies use soy lecithin in their products. Why don't Pacari use them? They are Vegan as well. Well, there are three main reasons why we choose not to use Soy Lecithin in our chocolates:
- Many people are allergic to soy.
- Most soy is genetically modified (also known as GMO).
- Soy lecithin is often processed with chemicals.
On the other hand, sunflower is the opposite. Most sunflower is organic, not genetically-modified, and is not processed with chemicals. On top of that, sunflower is not in the list of top allergen.
If that's the case, why do most company choose to use soy lecithin?
Pretty straight forward. Because Soy Lecithin is Cheaper!! Because soy lecithin is cheaper, you will find it in the majority of commercial products.
As for us? We have chosen to use sunflower lecithin, despite the added cost, because pure and natural ingredients are our number one priority, when it comes to Pacari products!
Health Benefits
Lecithin is essential to your body. Sunflower lecithin is rich in choline and other essential fatty acids such as phosphatidylinositol, and some people take it as a supplement.
Lecithin supplements have been shown to help with acne and improving liver function. Some also use it for improving cholesterol levels, arthritis, and high blood pressure.
So while soy lecithin is really just an empty additive, sunflower lecithin has positive health benefits while making your chocolate smooth!
