Who else has been feeling the heat these past few days? Fiuh, feels like I want to jump into the fridge to cool off, haha. But the sun can shine as bright as it wants, only BestNic shines the brightest #eaaaa
Today, I’m making a snack with my special child, Kobi, BestNic! Maybe you’ve heard of Nama Chocolate, that legendary soft and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate from Japan. But this time, we’ve got a special twist: we’re swapping out the fresh cream for Ube, also known as purple sweet potato!
What’s that? You’re wondering… is this a Ube dipped in chocolate, or chocolate made from Ube? Well, the point is, we’re making a delicious treat that’s not only tasty but also healthy!
Ube and Chocolate: A Healthy Duo That Brings Happiness
Before we talk flavor, let’s talk about why pairing Ube (aka purple sweet potato) with dark chocolate is a genius combo. Ube has long been famous in Asia, not only for its vibrant purple color but also for its impressive health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give it that bold purple hue and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, Ube is high in fiber, low in calories, and contains vitamin C and potassium, which are essential for our body’s health.
When combined with dark chocolate, which is rich in flavonoids, this duo doesn’t just offer a great taste, but also provides health benefits you can feel. Dark chocolate is known for its mood-boosting effects, as it triggers the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. So snacking on Ube Nama Chocolate is like a guilt-free indulgence. A total win-win, right?
Why Ube? Why Not Cassava or Pumpkin?
Some might ask, "Why Ube? Why not use potatoes or pumpkins?" Well, purple yam has a softer and creamier texture, which is exactly what we’re aiming for when making Nama Chocolate. Plus, it has a natural sweetness, so we don’t need to add any extra sugar, making this version healthier than the original. On top of that, Ube contains natural prebiotics that can help improve gut health. So snacking on Ube isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, but it also makes your tummy happy.
Dark Chocolate: The Superfood in Disguise!
When you think of chocolate, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a super sweet dessert that leaves you feeling guilty afterward. But it’s a different story when you use dark chocolate, especially if it’s at least 70% cacao. This stuff is one of the most underrated superfoods. Dark chocolate is packed with flavonoids, natural compounds with a ton of health benefits, from improving blood flow to the brain (so you stay sharp!), boosting heart health, to lifting your mood. It can also help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. So you can snack guilt-free.
Making Ube Nama Chocolate at Home Is a Breeze
This baking session is super easy. My special child Kobi even helped out! The ingredients are simple: steamed purple yam, couverture dark chocolate, coconut oil, raw cacao powder, raw honey, and a pinch of sea salt to add a savory touch.
Raw honey is the perfect sweetener for desserts that don't go through a baking process. Besides its delicious taste, raw honey offers many benefits, such as being a natural source of antioxidants that can boost the immune system. It also has antibacterial, antifungal properties, and acts as a natural antiviral. Interestingly, raw honey can also help regulate blood sugar levels naturally.
The process is quick too. Just mix everything in a food processor until smooth, pour it into a mold lined with unbleached baking paper to make it easy to remove later, then chill it in the fridge until the texture sets, at least an hour or overnight for best results. After that, cut into pieces and sprinkle raw cacao powder on top. Voilà, a pretty and healthy snack ready to enjoy!
Through Ube Nama Chocolate, I want to remind everyone that by using natural ingredients, we become more mindful of what we put into our bodies. No preservatives, no refined sugars, just pure and clean goodness straight from nature. It’s better for long-term health.
A Healthy Snack for the Busy Bees
For those of you who are busy, I totally get it—you often grab quick and easy snacks, but they’re not always healthy. Ube Nama Chocolate is the answer. Make it once, store it in the fridge, and you’ll have a stash of healthy snacks for the days ahead. Perfect for munching at the office or for kids who want something between meals.
See, I told you, healthy snacks don’t have to be bland or boring. With the right ingredients, we can make something that’s both delicious and healthy.
So, what do you think? Ready to try making Ube Nama Chocolate at home? Trust me, you’ll fall in love with the unique combo of purple sweet potato and dark chocolate. It’ll fill you up, make your body healthier, and your heart happier.
Happy baking, BestNic!
Course Appetizers
Cuisine Asian
Keyword nama chocolate, nama cokelat, ube nama chocolate, healthy chocolate, dark chocolate
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 75 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Ingredients
- 400 gr Steamed Purple Sweet Potato (weight after cooking)
- 200 gr Couverture Dark Chocolate 70%
- 30 gr Virgin Coconut Oil
- 20 gr Raw Cacao Powder
- 4 tbsp Raw Honey
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
Instructions
- Melt the Dark Chocolate Couverture & Virgin Coconut Oil using the bain-marie method.
- Blend all ingredients together using a chopper until smooth.
- Pour into a mold lined with unbleached baking paper or banana leaves.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Cut into pieces, dust with raw cacao powder.
- Your Ube Nama Chocolate is ready to enjoy!
The Bain-Marie Method
- Heat water in a pot until it boils.
- Then place a dry bowl over the boiling water.
- Add the ingredients that need to be melted into the bowl.
- Stir until evenly melted.