PROMOTING PERUVIAN CHOCOLATE AND HEALTHY SNACKS IN CANADA

In the world of chocolate lovers, finding guilt-free options can be quite a challenge. However, in 2019, a Peruvian family embarked on a mission to change this notion with the creation of Green Sun Foods, their brand introduced a unique concept to the market: the enjoyment of good chocolate in a delicious and healthy way.

The journey of Green Sun Foods began with the vision of offering 100% natural products made from Peruvian chocolate, combined with delicious fruits and nuts. Aiming to share their passion with the world, Maju, the founder of Green Sun Foods, decided to move to Canada with her family in 2019, looking for an opportunity to introduce their products to the Canadian market.

The decision to relocate was not an easy one. It took years of preparation and hard work, as they sold everything to start over in a foreign land. However, fueled by their belief in the country, their products, and their company, they embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. The name “GREEN SUN FOODS” emerged during a playful day at the beach, symbolizing their commitment to offering healthy, natural, pure, organic, and eco-friendly choices, while also embodying happiness, life, joy, and family.

As with any entrepreneurial journey, the path was not without obstacles. Yet, the family’s unwavering determination and the desire to be an inspiration for their loved ones kept them pushing forward. Their ultimate goal is to contribute, even if in a small way, to making the world a healthier place by indulging in one of life’s greatest pleasures: chocolate, and if its from their home country, even Better.

The increasing awareness of the distinction between real dark chocolate and mere chocolate-like treats provided an opportune moment for Green Sun Foods to showcase their exceptional products. Crafted with authentic Peruvian chocolate and boasting a rich 70% dark cacao content, their offerings are a true delight for the senses.

Green Sun Foods proudly embraces the values of organic sourcing, fairtrade practices, and vegan-friendly production. Their snacks not only satisfy cravings but also nourish the body and mind. With every bite, customers can savor the knowledge that they are enjoying a guilt-free indulgence.

By promoting Peruvian chocolate and superfoods, Green Sun Foods invites you to join their journey toward a healthier world. Treat yourself to their delectable offerings, support a family-driven enterprise, and experience the joy of conscious snacking. Together, let’s embark on a delicious adventure that combines taste, quality, and well-being.

Peruvian Chocolate: The Ultimate Cacao Lover’s Guide

If you are a chocolate lover, Peru is the perfect place to visit for a dose of sweet, melty goodness. Theobroma cacao, the small evergreen tree that bears cocoa beans, grows in abundance in Peru. In fact, the very origin of cacao is the Amazon basin and Andean lowlands of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Peruvian chocolate has been enjoyed by local people for centuries – used ceremonially initially and gradually enjoyed as the sweet confection it is today. Peru has some of the most delicious chocolate in the world, as illustrated by its 17 medals at the 2019 International Chocolate Awards, and its continual praise by just about all who taste it.

History of Peruvian Chocolate
SOUTH AMERICAN ORIGINS

Chocolate is endemic to the rainforests of South America, specifically of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. There is some debate that it grew at the same time in Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico and Central America), but the strongest paleobotanical and phytogenetic research finds its origins in the Amazon basin. In fact, it has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years by local indigenous communities of the Amazon Rainforest. In Peru, the Incas, and even their predecessors, cultivated cacao and made it into a brew. The beverage was considered medicinal and often used ritualistically.

Growing Regions

In Peru, cacao grows in both the basin of the Amazon Rainforest and the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Specifically, Peruvian cacao is grown in Amazonas, San Martin and Ucayali in the Amazon region, as well as low jungle areas of Cajamarca, Huánuco, Junín, Ayacucho and Cusco. Additionally, it is grown along the northern coast in Tumbes and Piura.

Harvesting and Production

With cacao, there is typically a main crop and a mid crop season. In Peru, the main crop season for growing and harvesting cacao is between April and August. The majority of the cacao grows during the main crop season. The mid crop season in Peru is between October and November. Even though the actual growing season and harvest is limited to a certain portion of the year, tending to cacao is a year-round effort for cacao farmers. All year, local workers take care of the trees, hand harvest the pods, process the beans into chocolate, and finally, package and sell the finished product. Approximately 50,000 Peruvians work in the cacao industry.

Believe it or not, as delicious as chocolate is, it is also super healthy. In fact, it’s a Peruvian superfood. Especially in its raw form, whole cacao and cacao powder benefits are abundant. Firstly, it is full of fiber and protein, which support digestion and build muscle, respectively. Secondly, it is booming with trace minerals like potassium and magnesium, which support neurological and metabolic function. Perhaps most immediately notable is its mood-enhancing properties, thanks to its theobromine and phenylethylamine content, which can boost mood and increase energy levels almost instantly.

Cacao health benefits are diminished with processing and sugar/milk additives, but even a good dark chocolate bar can bring quite a lot of minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds.

Link: https://www.peruforless.com/blog/peruvian-chocolate/

Health Benefits of Mango

The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in mangos can provide important health benefits. For example, vitamin K helps your blood clot effectively and helps prevent anemia. It also plays an important role in helping strengthen your bones. Mangos are also rich in vitamin C, which is important for forming blood vessels and healthy collagen, as well as helping you heal. In addition, mangos can provide other health benefits like:

Lower Risk of Cancer

Mangos are rich in beta-carotene, a pigment responsible for the yellow-orange color of the fruit. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant, just one of many found in mangos. The antioxidants in mangos have been shown to fight free radicals, which can cause damage to your cells and potentially lead to cancer.

Heart Health

Mangos are also helpful for supporting your cardiovascular system. They are a great source of magnesium and potassium, both of which are connected to lower blood pressure and a regular pulse. Furthermore, mangos are the source of a compound known as mangiferin, which early studies suggest may be able to reduce inflammation of the heart.

Digestive Health

Mangos can help stabilize your digestive system. They offer both amylase compounds and dietary fiber, which can help you avoid constipation. Amylase compounds can help dissolve other foods in your stomach, breaking down difficult starches. Meanwhile, the fiber in mangos can be more effective for relieving constipation than equivalent fiber supplements.

Nutrition

Mangos are rich in folate, which is used for healthy cell division and DNA duplication. Physicians recommend that people who can become pregnant consume at least 400 mcg of folate daily, because it is critical for avoiding birth defects.

Mangos are also an excellent source of:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Beta-carotene
• Folate
• Choline
• Magnesium

Link: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-mango

Healthy Snacks Made of Superfoods – Green Sun Foods

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maju PerezEgana, CEO and owner of Green Sun Foods, located in Kitchener, ON, Canada.

What’s your business, and who are your customers?

Green Sun Foods is a healthy snacks company that blends pure Peruvian cacao with superfoods and dried fruits to create unique bite-size healthy snacks for your family on the go.
We bring organic, vegan, natural, lactose-free, gluten-free, delicious 70% dark Chocolate into Canadian families. We are introducing six amazing flavours, coconut, pineapple, cranberries, goldenberries, mango, and brazil nuts.
I think our product fulfills many lifestyles; we can be a great choice for families, and family snacks, kids snacks, meal replacements like grab and go for students and professionals, and also as energy for your sport. My husband runs marathons, and he uses them before and after running as fuel for improvement.

Tell us about yourself

I started working in my company three years ago, living in Peru back in 2019. I wanted to create delicious snacks, 100% Natural and made of Peruvian Chocolate. I decided with my family to move to Canada, looking for a better place for my kids to grow and to establish my company. It took us many years to create some delicious mixes of flavors and get our visas ready to move to Canada. We sold everything to move and start over there believing in the country, in the products, and our Company. The name of our company is GREEN SUN FOODS, and we created this name with my kids playing one day at the beach. GREEN resembles healthy, natural, pure, organic, eco friendly, and SUN means happiness, life, joy, and family. I have an amazing family, and they are the ones that motivate me. Me to be a better professional, mum, friend, wife, and entrepreneur.

What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I started my company in Peru, and in my hometown, it was easier to launch; still full of work and many things to do, but it was much easier than launching in Canada. I consider that my biggest accomplishment is still in process, and I am confident that it will go perfectly well. I have launched my products in Canada this month, and we are in the process of introducing them to the Canadian Market. We are looking for retailers and distributors to connect with our delicious snacks. This is a new market for me and moving my company to Canada and my family is a huge change in the business. This, for sure, will be my biggest accomplishment, and I will look back at the end of the year, proud of where we are standing.

What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Having your own business has a lot of highs and lows. It’s sometimes complicated when everyone around relies on you; it gets to be overwhelming. I think that it’s very hard to start something as an entrepreneur, working 24/7, having all the time something to decide, looking at funding, ideas, and everything, hoping that everything works as you planned. The journey is long, but you get to enjoy every part of the trip. One of the things that’s most important is the feeling of getting things done and the satisfaction of seeing your work finally having some amazing feedback and growing.
What are the top tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Running a business is difficult, and if you want to start your own business, there are many things you should consider.
  2. It’s important to study and know your market and your product. No one should know no more about your product than you.
  3. You need to persevere. Usually, it takes many attempts to reach what you are looking for. It took me many negative answers to find the right company to support me. It is still taking me many attempts to reach partners and companies to work with me as I am still a start-up, but you have to keep on going to succeed. It will be worth it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would like to tell everyone to support small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurship. There is a lot behind these small companies, families, a lot of hard work, and some small support will definitely help them grow. When you talk to a small company, the service is usually friendlier, and everything is made with love and care. Try it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: www.greensunfoods.com
Facebook: 
greensunfoodscanada
Instagram: greensunfoodscanada
LinkedIn: greensunfoods

Link: https://gosolo.subkit.com/green-sun-foods/

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