Where To Find Some of My Exotic Ingredients

By Grace O

Because of FoodTrients, I have made it my mission to find herbs, fruits, vegetables and plants from all over the world that pack a lot of nutrition and age-defying benefits.  It’s been so rewarding to introduce some of the foods and ingredients I grew up with in Southeast Asia like moringa, yuka/cassava, jackfruit, ashitaba and others. It’s also been a great adventure for me to learn about new superfoods from around the world like baobab, reishi mushrooms, ashwagandha and more.

Ashitaba

I’m very fortunate to live in southern California where so much produce grows. It’s a melting pot here, and many people from all over the world have brought their native plants with them. And even though I can shop at Asian or Latino markets on any corner in

Manioc root

Los Angeles and find fresh turmeric or bitter melon or soursop, I know that most people across the country aren’t so lucky. For them, I recommend visiting Melissas.com, an exotic produce company which will ship fresh and sometimes dried produce anywhere in the U.S. Melissa’s is also the largest distributor of specialty produce in the country. Amazon is sometimes a good option, too.

Recently, I launched a new EATING WELL RESOURCES section on FoodTrients.com so you have a handy resource

Baobab fruit

guide for some of my more exotic ingredients. In each of my recipes, I try to let you know where to source any unfamiliar ingredients in both of my cookbooks.  In addition to the Resources section, I offer substitutes for exotic ingredients (in case you can’t find them) wherever possible. I want everyone to be able to make and eat these wonderful, anti-aging recipes. That’s why I wrote both of my cookbooks in the first place, and hope you will have your own food adventures as you try some of these exciting new ingredients.  Bon appetit!

Reishi Mushroom