Alternative Eats: Realicious
We delve deep into Shanghai’s food underbelly to give you an alternative view of the city’s dining scene.
Nowadays gluten, peanut and milk intolerance is fairly common and choosing to cut out these certain items for health reasons is widely accepted. However, finding a store or restaurant in Shanghai, which serves fare that is safe for those with these specific allergies or requirements, is another battle altogether. Filling the gap for those with dietary restrictions and allergies, or health conscious eaters, is Realicious; providing nut butters with a big protein punch. Founded by Texas native, Elizabeth Liu, out of necessity after discovering that her two sons were allergic to milk, Liu decided to take matters into her own hands to ensure that her family had the healthiest upbringing in Shanghai she could possibly provide. From this mission, Realicious was born.
Liu’s process is the first of its kind in Asia. When making her almond butter spread, she soaks the almonds for a minimum of 12 hours before dehydrating them. By soaking the nuts before dehydrating, it allows for tannin acid in the almond peel to break down, making it easier for the body to absorb all of the nutrients nuts have to offer. After they are dehydrated, they are ready to be ground up into the creamy nutty spread we are all going to become familiar with. Nothing else is added, and all of Liu’s spreads are 100% natural. Furthermore, except for toasting the sunflower seeds in sunflower seed butter, all the spreads are completely raw.
Specialising in making nut and seed butters with milk alternatives, Realicious fills a very unique niche in Shanghai’s food scene. Not only are the nut and seed butters usable in cooking, they are also perfect for spreading on a piece of toast or for substituting into a PB and jelly sandwich. Kid friendly, adult friendly – what’s not to love?
Her current nut and seed butter offerings include some expected and unexpected flavours. In addition to almond butter, which is naturally rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and has great effects on skin, Liu also uses cashews and sunflower seeds. Cashew butter provides a great dose of magnesium that can help to build strong bones, while also helping to eliminate headaches, lowers blood pressure and can help prevent heart attacks. Additionally, Realicious sunflower seed butter is an excellent source of vitamin E and can help to heal and protect skin. Sunflower seeds are so high in nutrients that just a spoonful of Realicious’ butter contains 62% of the daily value for vitamin E.
A great addition for individuals with naturally low protein diets, like vegetarians and vegans, Liu’s nut and seed butters are an easy way to add extra protein and nutrients to any diet.
Liu’s passion for striving to give her family the healthiest and most nutritious meals has given her the opportunity to help others in the city to lead a healthier lifestyle. While she relies heavily on word of mouth now, Liu’s products speak for themselves. In addition to taking orders through www.kateandkimi.com, Realicious is on Taobao and can be shipped almost anywhere in China!
