27/04/2026
Snow Porridge (with Collagen peptides, Tremella & *Lacuma*)
Perfect weather for a delicious & nourishing bowl of skin-supportive oaty goodness!
Tremella as 'nature's hyaluronic acid', collagen for connective tissue support, but what is this 'lacuma'... I hear you ask!
Lacuma is a low GI, sweet, caramel-flavoured, starchy, fibrous fruit (pumpkin-like in texture), originating from the Andean regions of Peru, Chile & Ecuador - commonly dried, powdered and used to sweeten icecream, desserts, drinks, baked goods, and of course... porridge :P
I've been experimenting with lacuma for product development since it caught my attention as a wholefood flavouring agent and low GI sweetener with additional health benefits from supporting digestive health & blood glucose control through to providing essential skin nutrition.
I'm not sure why this isn't a more popular ingredient tbh - why choose isolated, natural sugar-alternatives, when there are more wholefood options that are bloody delicious & do more than just add sweetness?
METABOLIC SUPPORT
Lacuma is rich in fibre, particularly insoluble fibre meaning it slows the absorption of glucose and softens the spike - paired with some insulin-supportive cinnamon & we've got a nice team right there!
Being a fibre, it also feeds the gut buggies & assists with bowel motility - it brings some caramelly-sweetness without the metabolic chaos all the while supporting microbial immune regulation (both those things impact skin health)....
I'm listening, go on....
ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT
It contains polyphenols & carotenoids - highly sought after antioxidant compounds in skin care with roles in Vitamin A (retinol) synthesis pathways and cellular protection against UV, inflammation & pollution.
MICRONUTRIENT PROFILE
It is mineral dense, providing trace amounts of zinc, iron, calcium - not in therapeutic doses, but when included frequently, alongside a wholefood, nutrient dense diet - these contribute to repair, regulating skin immune function & barrier maintanence.
Oh and did I mention it kinda tastes like caramel?? (some say maple or butterscotch).
So anyway, today it went in my porridge & it was a great choice.