Celebrity chef and author of EAT LIKE YOU GIVE A FORK: The Real Dish on Eating to Thrive, Mareya Ibrahim, offers an early sneak peek at the newest “it” health trend of 2020: black cumin seed. Respected throughout the culinary industry and wellness market for her innovative, accessible approach to clean eating, visionary inventor and CEO of Grow Green Industries, Inc. Mareya Ibrahim shares a sneak peak into her annual “8 Hottest Healthy Food & Beverage Trends Report”, now in its 8th consecutive year. This season, hot on the heels of her latest book release, America’s favorite “Fit Foodie” offers an in-depth look at why black cumin seed is the ‘Next It Superfood’ – and how it relates to her heritage as an Egyptian-born immigrant. Found buried among the treasures of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, Nigella Sativa (or black cumin) is believed to be a life-extending secret of the pharaohs. Drastically different from its more commonly-known counterpart, Cuminum Cyminum the cumin spice which serves as a staple in many Mexican and Cuban dishes – black cumin seed is referenced in some of the oldest religious and medical texts as a “cure-all.” Ancient civilizations trusted this medicinal herb to treat a variety of diseases, from diabetes and hypertension to inflammation, eczema, and headaches.
“In Arabic, we call it ‘habbat el barakah’ which literally means ‘seed of blessing.’ I grew up with it in a lot of our foods, and it has a really distinct, pungent flavor that I grew to love. When I started researching the plethora of incredible health benefits, I realized this is something everyone needs to know about, and importantly, how to incorporate it tastefully into their everyday diet. Many of the recipes in my new book are from my beloved Egypt, so this miracle black cumin lends itself perfectly to blend it in seed or oil form,” commented Ibrahim With a diverse chemical composition containing rich amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and the powerful cancer-fighting antioxidant thymoquinone, black cumin seed oil delivers multi-faceted healing benefits, including: relief of allergies and asthma; an immunity boost; naturally inhibiting the growth of cancer cells; reduction of inflammation; actively fighting off harmful bacterial-, virus- and fungal-related microbes like MRSA; powerfully aiding in digestion; improving the quality of hair, skin, and nails; healing persistent skin problems; promoting heart health by supporting proper cholesterol levels and normalizing blood pressure; inhibiting Candida, along with other internal and external forms of fungal overgrowth. While its proven benefits are broad and promising, a strong flavor (similar to black licorice) makes black cumin seed difficult to stomach. Thankfully, Chef Mareya comes to the rescue with not one, but four ways to integrate this “miracle” supplement into a balanced diet using healthy, delicious recipes from her newest book, Eat Like You Give a Fork: The Real Dish on Eating to Thrive:
● Add 1 teaspoon black cumin seed oil to finished Ful Mudames recipe, a typical Egyptian meal
● Add 1 1/2 teaspoons black cumin seed to Heirloom Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta Salad
● Blend 1 teaspoon black cumin seed oil to any salad dressing or dip, like the Grilled Artichoke Hummus and the Real Ranch Dressing
● Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons black cumin seed into the crust of Lucca’s Chicken Tenders
● Add 1 teaspoon black cumin seed to Real Vitality Tonic with ginger and cinnamon
