Montebello Kitchens is incorporating several nutritious ingredients to its line of dressings. The Citronette, Fig Balsamic, and Lavender dressings now contain agave inulin, milled chia seed, and organic coconut palm sugar. Additionally, owner Steven Lynch now uses canola oil culled from Virginia-grown canola plants in the dressings. While the taste remains the same for all three dressings, the added ingredients continue Lynch’s mission to make food fun, accessible, and most importantly, healthy.

“Montebello Kitchens makes foods that my family and I eat,” said Lynch. “We try to create the most flavorful and healthful foods that we can. We make food that is good for those who eat it, and good for the workers who grow and produce our ingredients.”

Lynch, a native of Central Virginia, is especially proud of the contribution local farmers and workers now add to the dressings.

“Locally grown seed and locally produced oil has a direct positive impact on our area’s economy,” Lynch said. “Buying regionally eliminates wasteful trucking expenses and insures that we are using the freshest ingredients possible.”

And also the healthiest; the recent additions deliver a wealth of nutrients for consumers.

Inulin, a relatively new word on the nutritional scene, is a naturally occurring soluable fiber found in agave. When inulin is consumed and absorbed by the lower intestine, it increases overall dietary wellness. Inulin contains powerful prebiotics, non-digestible food fiber that promotes the growth of “good bacteria” in the digestive tract. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that inulin increases calcium absorption, thus leading to stronger bones. In addition to associating inulin with digestive and bone health, nutritionists also believe it plays a role in controlling both weight and diabetes. It’s also thought to lower cholesterol as well as boost the body’s immune system.

In recent years, nutritionists have helped redefine the chia seed—once notable for the ever-popular Chia Pet—as a venerable superfood. Chia, classified in the mint family, is native to Guatemala and central and southern Mexico.

Additionally, chia seeds contain essential minerals: phosphorous, manganese, calcium, potassium, and sodium. But that’s not all—chia seeds also contain one of the highest sources of Omega-3, an essential fatty acid. Omega-3 helps spur blood circulation, reduces the risk of heart attacks and cancer, lowers cholesterol, and improves brain function.

The final new addition, organic coconut palm sugar, is quickly gaining popularity with food enthusiasts. Pure coconut palm sugar is a natural product made from the nectar of the coconut palm tree. The Lance Armstrong Foundation recently endorsed the healing benefits of palm sugar, saying the ingredient “may help maintain proper levels of blood glucose, or sugar, while providing an abundance of nutrients and minerals to keep you healthy.” Additionally, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that palm sugar is the world’s most sustainable sweetener.

While health and sustainability are important to Montebello Kitchens, so is taste. All of these dressings make for perfect toppings on salads and also serve as delicious marinades for meat.

Montebello Kitchens, a Virginia Finest company, is family owned and takes great pride in creating genteel gourmet foods. All food is made in the artisan style—by hand, in small batches, and honoring Virginia Traditions and Heritage. Montebello Kitchens has been recognized in such magazines as Ladies Home Journal and Woman’s World. Their acclaimed Chipotle Ketchup has won numerous Scovie Awards, one of the food industry’s most coveted honors. Montebello Kitchens peanut soup mixes have received recognition from the Queen of England and the United States Congress.

For more information, visit www.montebellokitchens.com, www.facebook.com/montebellokitchens, or www.twitter.com/m_kitchens.

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