Our Fine & Raw friends and chocolate monsters. We have been in an ongoing conversation with many of you regarding AGAVE nectar.

In light of these good chats we wanted to take it out into the bright sunshiney blogosphere.

So.. here we go splashing into the Agave Debate of 2010.

We think that the best way to go about this is to illustrate how, bearing in mind all of the information foraging that we have done, the Agave Debate relates to us at Fine & Raw, and therefore, our chocolate.
 
There is a lot of information circulating around the extraction process of Agave Nectar. There are many companies that prepare their nectar through high heat processes. BUT, there are also those who strictly adhere to the Raw Food guidelines, which suggest that the maximum heat for any food to 'feel' is 118 degrees Fahrenheit. This maintains the delicate enzymatic makeup within food which serves to provide maximum nutritional benefits to the consumer.
These are the companies that we at Fine & Raw source from.

There is also concern regarding the benefits of Fructose, the main ingredient of Agave Nectar. The simple answer to this is that any sweetener is going to have an effect on your body.  We recommend everything in moderation, in addition to a diet bountiful with brightly colored fruit and vegetables,whole grains, hugs and happiness.
 The companies that Fine & Raw source from maintain the lowest possible Fructose content in their Raw Agave Nectar, as well as employing fair trade business practices, and aiding the indigenous people of Mexico by way of giving them jobs and utilizing their knowledge of traditions and traditional practices with regard to Agave, and its resulting nectar.

To recap.

Fine & Raw only use Raw Agave Nectar sourced from companies who use the Raw Extraction Method.
Raw Agave should be enjoyed as a part of your diet, in moderation. We do however recommend excessive daily intakes of fun and silliness.
Eating an array of fresh good food, including yummy vegetables and fruits should make your body happier to digest and breakdown 'other' things, such as Raw Blue Agave Nectar, and of course, CHOCOLATE.

One of our friends sent us a link to this site http://rawfoodrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/05/guide-to-raw-friendly-sugar-free.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rawfoodrightnow+%28Raw+Food%2C+Right+Now%21+-+The+best+of+raw+food+and+beyond%29

It gives a lot of info on alternative sweeteners. Some of them we dig, others not so much but it makes for interesting reading and informational digestion.  As per usual we know you'll holler if you have any curly questions for us. And we look forward to 'em.

Let it be known that as much as we love to read.. we dig breaking out the aprons more...  hence, therefore, and so... we too have been playing around in the sweet pot and found that coconut palm sugar rocks our world too. stay tuned for more about this and our sassy cowgirls who prefer off the radar downlow sweetenings that will drive your tastbuds forty kinds of crazy.

Lambs are leaping and daffodils are winking at us!
Spring is springing and with it comes the adventure back to the GREAT OUTDOORS and heaps of fun markets and fairs and cool stuff going on in general!
The Flea is shakin' it up and taking itself and us with it back to the track. The high school track that is.
Every Saturday from April 10 onwards all of us will be basking in the sunshiney delight at Bishop Laughlin High School in Fort Greene, BK.
Sunday Fundays will still be at One Hanson Place.
http://www.brooklynflea.com/

We are stoked to announce our participation in the Brooklyn Lyceum Spring Craft Market on May 1 and 2! 
This is going to be a Handmade Bonanza with incredibly talented boys and girls showing and selling their creative wares.
Markets of NY - a new guidebook to the Market scene is gonna be launched at the Lyceum on the same weekend. There are workshops and all manner of exciting and interesting things to sink your chops into. Including your favorite chocolate fine & raw flavors. Come hang out and breathe in the  creative air with us!
BKCraftCentral.com
 

its valentines weekend. we're gonna be at 2 great events. come find some heart arrows to shoot this weekend @

2ND EDITION OF CHOCOLATE & I, NEW YORK
A CHOCOLATE DISCOVERY & EXPERIENCE EVENT

2pm-6pm, fri-sun

511 W25th St 4 FL, New York

 
and...
 

BROOKLYN INDIE MARKET VALENTINES FLING

11am-6pm, sat

211 Smith Street, Brooklyn

 
yum...



 

COME VISIT!! Hang out, chat and meet the other incredible designers and vendors!
 
Gifted holiday market - E. 4th St (at Lafayette)
 
noon-8pm every day!

Come get it spicy! It's the Brooklyn Botanical Garden CHILE PEPPER FIESTA on Saturday, Oct 3 from noon-6pm. FINE & RAW will be spicing up confections and dancing along with the festivities. Please bring a fire hydrant.

When we first made it in April, we ate the raw chocolate ice cream for breakfast a month solid! Its been a an extra creamy summer hanging out at the Brooklyn Flea and selling raw chocolate ice cream. As summer is wrapping up and we switch back over to regular duties of chocolate making, we just wanna thank all you ice cream lovers. And if you have to get your raw chocolate ice cream fix, stop by Provisions, Forages Market, Urban Rustic or Live Live.