While most may think of fall as a time to indulge in assorted sinfully sweet pumpkin-spiced delicacies, one Calgary entrepreneur is setting the bar high for healthy autumn treats. Jenn Silver, owner of Kensington's Wild & Raw Superfood + Juice Bar, is aiming to complement sweater weather with delicious lattes, elixirs, milkshakes, and smoothie bowls that'll warm you from the inside out.
"We're taking an alternative approach to the fall drinks that they do at Starbucks," Silver said.
And that's exactly what it tastes like!
Wild & Raw has changed up its menu to feature two regular items and introduce four brand new offerings that are all perfect for autumn. From Sept. 18 until Dec. 21 (the first day of winter), these fall-themed items will be available. And best of all: they're all 100 per cent vegan and gluten-free (much like the majority of Wild & Raw's menu).
On a cold and windy day earlier this month, Silver invited me out to her store for a complimentary sneak peek of Wild & Raw's fall menu, and it was absolutely fantastic. Everything I tasted was delicious and packed with fresh, subtle, and warming flavours that made me feel at home in the little store. They also had the added bonus of perking me up and fortifying me with the strength to better cope with the nippy air and frigid rain I faced on my walk home.
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| A few of the fall-tastic offerings available at Wild & Raw as of Sept. 21. From left: the Pumpkin Milkshake, the Pumpkin Parfait, and the Golden Guru. Photo by Jennifer Brazil, courtesy of Wild & Raw. |
Before you start drooling over that picture up there, I'll cut to chase and give you the low-down on each of Wild & Raw's fall-themed offerings:
Golden Guru
A regular menu item, the Golden Guru is a hot elixir that combines turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, fresh almond milk, and dates. Turmeric root, according to Silver, is great for improving digestion and joint health, reducing inflammation in the body, boosting the immune system, and equalizing the body. This basically means that it helps cool you down in the summer, and warms you from the inside in the cooler months. Golden Guru itself has a mellow taste that's reminiscent of chai tea, and it feels like a warm hug from the inside.
Pumpkin Parfait
Another regular menu item, the Pumpkin Parfait is a smoothie bowl that consists of pumpkin puree, cacao nibs, chia seeds, pepitas, and superfood toppings. While I never got the chance to try this bad boy out, just looking at that picture up top is making me drool. If you happen to give this a try on your next visit to Wild & Raw, pleasepleaseplease let me know how it tastes.
Pumpkin Spice Mylkshake
One of the new fall-themed creations, this milkshake is made with almond 'mylk' (Wild & Raw's word for nut milks that are made fresh in-store), pumpkin pie spices, pumpkin puree, and Fiasco Gelato's vegan gelato. Despite it being a cold beverage, the Pumpkin Spice Mylkshake makes for a decadent fall treat. It's cool and refreshing with a hint of spice -- basically, it's like fall in a cup.
Pecan Pie Latte
Another new menu item, this comforting latte is made with fresh pecan mylk, mushroom coffee, spices, and maple syrup. It's got a subtle flavour that's earthy, warming, refreshing, and slightly nutty. With the superfood mushrooms and the coffee, you can feel good knowing that this cup of joe will bring a bit more to the table than a simple caffeine boost.
Salted Caramel Hot Cacao
This brand new fall item is a hot elixir that combines raw cacao and "natural salted caramel superfood flavours", according to Silver. Just like the pumpkin parfait, I never got the chance to try this bad boy out, but I'm thinking I'll need a trip (or two) to Wild & Raw to test this divine-sounding concoction out!
Apple Pie Kombucha a La Mode
This kombucha float is brand spankin' new, and it features locally made kombucha from True Buch Kombucha and vegan coconut sorbetto from Fiasco Gelato. Seeing as how I loved the pumpkin spice mylkshake, I can see myself falling hard for this cold fall offering.
Interested in trying out these fall-inspired goodies? You can find Wild & Raw at 1119 Kensington Rd NW, or online at wildandraw.ca
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