Essential Chocolates

When I first came across the newly released Bija Omega Truffles, I asked myself if I had finally found guilt-free chocolate. The answer is yes—or at least the closest thing you can find at the health food store.

Dark chocolate contains one of the highest antioxidant concentrations of any food, and research on essential fatty acids reveals the health benefits of omega-3, 6, and 9 oils. Bija Omega Truffles combines the best of both. The oil center of the gourmet chocolates is Udo’s Choice 3-6-9 blend, which contains flax, sunflower, sesame, coconut, evening primrose, rice germ and bran, and oat germ and bran oils.

Due to the delicate nature of essential fatty acids, Bija Truffles are treated with care, made in a customized mold by hand. In the store, you’ll find them not as an impulse buy next to the register, but in the refrigerator surrounded by bottles of omega-rich oils and chilled probiotics. The truffles can survive a day or so outside the fridge, but like all live foods, run the risk of going rancid.

While the truffles are smooth and creamy, the flax oil taste (not everyone’s favorite taste bud sensation) comes through in the dark chocolate flavor. I found the flax was masked more by the maple white chocolate and milk chocolate hazelnut options.

If you can’t seem to give up chocolate or want a more flavorful alternative to an omega supplement, Bija’s Omega truffles provide a sweet and healthy treat. For more information visit Bija Truffles

Felicia M. Tomasko