Have you ever heard of dopamine dressing? It’s the fashion trend that involves wearing colorful clothing to help boost your mood (and dopamine levels), and there’s research to back the fact that exposure to certain colors can play into how we feel. Is this why we tend to stop in our tracks—or our social media feeds—every time we come across a vibrantly-hued dessert? Signs clearly point to…yes.
Case in point: We recently came across a mesmerizing blackcurrant marshmallow recipe that gives the phrase “eating with your eyes” a whole new meaning. This two-ingredient treat is not only eye candy thanks to its vibrant magenta hue, but it’s also packed with anthocyanins, a potent antioxidant that’s responsible for giving foods like blueberries, plums, and blackcurrant their gorgeous blue and purple pigments. Let’s delve into why this easy and beautiful snack will make you feel happier inside and out.
How to make 2-ingredient blackcurrant marshmallows
This easy blackcurrant marshmallow recipe by @panaceas_pantry is by far one of the prettiest foods to grace our Instagram feeds this season. Jade, the creator of the pillowy-soft magenta marshmallows, starts by combining 500 milliliters (a little over two cups) of blackcurrant juice with five tablespoons of gelatin in a small pot and lets the ingredients sit until the gelatin blooms (or has a wrinkled appearance on the surface). Once bloomed, she places the pot on the stove over low heat and gently stirs the ingredients until the gelatin dissolves completely and the mixture begins to thicken. Take note: It’s important to allow the liquid to come to room temperature before moving on to the next step.
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Once cool, Jade transfers the mixture to a bowl and uses a high-speed hand mixer to whip the marshmallow batter until it’s thick and creamy (about five to seven minutes). Finally, she pours the batter onto a quarter baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper and places it in the refrigerator to set for a minimum of six hours. (BTW, you can make them thicker or thinner, depending on the type of sheet pan or container used. Although this may alter the setting time.)
To serve, Jade uses sharp, clean kitchen shears to snip the marshmallow into squares. Or as she describes it, “sensory therapy.” Swoon.
What are the benefits of blackcurrant?
According to Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen, the ‘mallows are more than just pretty; they’re packed with a bevy of health benefits, too. “Blackcurrants are tiny, deep purple berries with a tart, intense flavor. Like other berries, blackcurrants are rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant that gives the fruit its deep purple color,” Largeman-Roth says.
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Anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid, have been linked to their longevity-boosting benefits as research indicates the antioxidant can help improve cellular function, offer anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties, help with inflammation, and support immune and heart health. “The berries also contain gamma linoleum acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, which provides an anti-inflammatory benefit and may help slow the progression of glaucoma,” Largeman-Roth says. Other vibrantly-hued foods that contain this antioxidant include dark-colored berries, like black, blue, and elderberries. Although red cabbage, purple plums, and red grapes also contain anthocyanins.
What’s more, the second ingredient in this recipe, gelatin, contains collagen, an abundant type of protein found in the body. Collagen is also vital for maintaining bones, muscles, skin, cartilage, and tendons. According to Largeman-Roth, she recommends 2.5 to 15 grams of collagen daily for functional benefits. For context, gelatin is the cooked version of collagen; as such, they share many of the same characteristics.
Explore the benefits of blueberries:
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