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Ramadan brings EASTERN-INFLUENCED DRINKS, DONUTS
As the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan approaches, J
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s the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan approaches, J.Co Donuts and Coffee has been inspired to introduce the fruits of the East to a selection of drinks and donuts for customers.
Starting Aug. 18, the coffee and donut chain outlet will offer a seasonal date-based menu: Cappuccino Dates and Dates O'Yummy as well as introduce a jackfruit-based new variation, Jackfruit Cinno.
Indriana Listia, marketing communication manager, said her company decided to relaunch the date-based varieties because the demand for date-based products was usually high during Ramadan.
"During Ramadan, more people usually consume dates because Muslims who are fasting are recommended to break the fast by eating the fruit," she said.
To cater for the non-coffee drinkers, the date-based drinks are available in two fl avors: Cappuccino Dates and Vanilla Dates Freeze. Both varieties have chopped dates topping the whipped cream beverage, creating a naturally sweet taste. The beverage's light texture and sweet fl avor is a perfect combination for breakfast.
To complement the date-based drink, the Dates O'Yummy Donut, a donut with a topping of whipped cream and dates, is the perfect choice. J.Co uses the best date selection, which suits most Asian taste buds. Consuming both the drink and the donut for breakfast will defi nitely help boost energy levels at the start of the day.
Believed to have originated from around the Persian Gulf, dates are the most popular fruit for breakfast during the fasting month. Dates' natural sweetness, combined with their high protein and fiber content, help colon function after fasting.
Louis Tobian Jr, an expert on hypertension from Minnesota University, the United States, says not only can dates decrease blood pressure, but they can also prevent strokes.
Dates contain Vitamins A1, B1, B2, B3, B5 and C, and more than 20 different amino acids, helping us to digest and assimilate carbohydrates easier and to control blood sugar levels and fatty acid content.
Dates have high tannin content and are used medicinally as a detersive (cleansing agent) and astringent for intestinal problems. As an infusion, decoction, syrup or paste, dates may be administered for sore throats, colds, bronchial catarrh, and taken to relieve fever and a number of other complaints. One traditional belief is that they can counteract alcohol intoxication.
The fruit also contains selenium (a powerful antioxidant) that can lower the risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as help us keep immune systems healthy. Dates' low calorie count (a single date contains around 23 calories) and huge amount of healthy substances make the fruit one of the best nutrition sources for a diet plan menu.
Similar health benefits can also be gained by eating jackfruit. The regional fruit is low in calories (100 grams of jackfruit only contain 94 calories) and is a rich source of potassium, which can lower blood pressure.
"We decided to feature jackfruit because it was one of Southeast Asia's signature fruits. We think the fruit could be our signature drink if we expanded our chain to other Asian countries. People see jackfruit as an exotic fruit and it is more expensive outside Indonesia," Indri said.
Just like Cappuccino Dates, Jackfruit Cinno is available in coffeebased and vanilla-based choices. The jackfruit-based beverage comes with whipped cream and a topping of small pieces of jackfruit.
Unlike the date-based varieties that will only be available during the fasting month, Jackfruit Cinno will be a permanent product in the store.
