Mesquite is a tree — with both large and small varieties — that's very common in West Texas, and is known to the Pima people as the “Tree of Life.” True to its name, this life-giving tree has many uses. Mesquite gum has traditionally been used to soothe common infections and irritations, wounds, sunburn and cracked skin, and has been valued as a remedy for dysentery, diarrhoea, stomach and digestive troubles and haemorrhoids. But its remarkable qualities don't stop there — the fruit of the “Tree of Life” has wonderful benefits in our diet too!
The mesquite bean is a sweet legume containing about 30% sucrose. What's more, its 7–10% fibre and 29–39% protein help keep you full for longer. Containing minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, the mesquite bean is very hard, so it's ground into flour for easy use. And because this food has a low moisture content and doesn't spoil easily, it's very easy to store.
When you add the sweet-flavoured flour made from mesquite beans to your diet, its high fibre and protein help keep you full for 4–5 hours. We're sure that, with this quality, mesquite flour will become an inseparable part of your diet. Don't let its sweet aroma put you off — because the high fibre and protein help steady your blood sugar, people following a weight-loss plan, those with diabetes, hypoglycaemia or insulin resistance can comfortably use this wonderful food in their kitchens. But, as with any food, watch the amount! Because its fibre content is very high, eating too much mesquite flour can make it hard to digest and may cause some digestive problems.
Use mesquite flour in your smoothies, desserts, cakes and breakfast cereals to enjoy its nourishing qualities.