Adaptogenic Ganache Truffles

The one thing I hate about functional truffles is how awful they taste. No matter how many buzzwords are attached to it (raw, gluten-free, sugar-free, etc.), they always taste like dirt. So, today, I'm going to share a functional truffle that actually tastes good so that you'd want to eat it. These functional truffles are aimed specifically towards increasing energy (mental, physical, and sexual) and helping you cope with daily stressors. There's also a small gut-boost with butyric acid-rich grass-fed butter.

Ingredients:

8 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup of cream

1 tbsp grass-fed butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp Gaia maca powder

2 tsp Sun Potion Reishi powder

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps:

• Chop chocolate chips into small, even pieces.

• Heat cream in a sauce pan over medium heat until it begins to boil. Once it starts to boil, remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate chips, butter, vanilla extract, maca powder, and reishi powder. Whisk the ingredients until smooth. Then, transfer to a bowl to slowly cool the mixture.

• Vigorously whisk the cooling mixture in the bowl until it's thick and smooth. Make sure to fully incorporate all of the ingredients - there will be some chocolate and cream on the side of the bowl that must be incorporated into the mixture.

• If the forming ganache starts to look curdled or oily, add a few drops of cream to re-emulsify it. At the end, you want the ganache to look thick, smooth, and glossy (yum!).

• Place the ganache in the fridge for at least 4 hours to harden before you can start forming truffles.

• After hardening, use a melon baller to form the truffles and then roll each one ever-so briefly in the palms of your hands to smoothen out the rough spots.

• Chill the truffles one more time for 15 minutes in the fridge.

• Roll the chilled truffles in the cocoa powder you set aside.

• Done!

These truffles, when packed in a cute tin, will surely make for awesome handmade gifts for the holidays. Or, you can make these little treasures for yourself so that you can withstand the crazy holiday shoppers and the holiday family drama. You do you. Comment below to let me know what you think of these truffles!

- Dr. B

Sources:

Choi, Yu Jin, et al. “Anti-Amnesic Effect of Fermented Ganoderma Lucidum Water Extracts by Lactic Acid Bacteria on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats.” Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 20, no. 2, 2015, pp. 126–132., doi:10.3746/pnf.2015.20.2.126.

Huang, Shichao, et al. “Polysaccharides from Ganoderma Lucidum Promote Cognitive Function And Neural Progenitor Proliferation in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.” Stem Cell Reports, vol. 8, no. 1, 2017, pp. 84–94., doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.12.007.

Lee, Myeong Soo, et al. “The Use of Maca ( Lepidium Meyenii ) to Improve Semen Quality: A Systematic Review.” Maturitas, vol. 92, 2016, pp. 64–69., doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.07.013.

Lim, T. K. “Lepidium Meyenii.” Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants, Springer, 2016, pp. 801–822.

Panossian, Alexander. “Understanding Adaptogenic Activity: Specificity of the Pharmacological Action of Adaptogens and Other Phytochemicals.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1401, no. 1, 2017, pp. 49–64., doi:10.1111/nyas.13399.

DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. There are no financial ties to any supplement companies, pharmaceutical companies, or to any of the products mentioned in this post. This post is not meant to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose conditions or diseases and is meant for educational purposes. As always, please consult your doctor before trying any new treatments or supplements.