Aroma espresso bar adds Freekeh superfood to Toronto's menu

Aroma Espresso Bar is constantly trying to do what most other cafe's or coffee shops in the city don't do.  They listen to their customers and are trying to constantly add fresh new foods to their ever expanding franchises.  Most of the other coffee chains in Toronto have prepared food trucked into their stores to put on their shelves but what sets Aroma Espresso Bar apart is the fact that there is a kitchen in every store where most items are prepared fresh.  Fresh breads, fresh salads, fresh real iced drinks.  You can really taste the difference between a salad that is freshly  made versus one that has been sitting in a package for hours and that's only one of the differences that makes Aroma stand apart.

This June Aroma is adding a Superfood grain that isn't very well known in Canada but is more known to European palates.  It's an Ancient Grain called Freekeh it comes from the Middle East and is made from fire-roasted wheatberries.

They are adding the Freekeh Salad to their new SAVOUR SUMMER seasonal menu.

The Freekeh salad contains a blend of freekeh, black quinoa, sprouted brown rice, baby kale, tomato, cucumber, carrot, pickle, red onion, parsley, and topped with za'atar seasoning, and labneh cheese and a light dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.

It's a cross between their chopped salad and their quinoa salad in style and texture.

There are so many benefits to this superfood Freekeh including:

• Low in carbohydrates
• High in Fibre ( 4 times the fibre of brown rice)
• Low glycemic index
• Good probiotic properties
• Rich in amino acids
• Vegetarian and vegan
• Kosher

only downside is that it isn't gluten free.

Chef Geoff Scott and Nutritionist Jaime Slavin developed this salad for the menus at Aroma cafe's.   Chef Scott was on hand at the lunch I attended to explain what went into the salad and the benefits of the Freekeh grain and the freshness of the salads.

There are 28 Aroma Espresso Bar locations across Toronto and the GTA and they will be the first stores in the global chain's 165 locations to carry the signature salad.  If Aroma's customers respond well to it then it may be rolled out to other global locations.

The salad sells for roughly the same cost as a fast food lunch at $7.95 which is really a great thing when you consider that it is all fresh and healthy and there are many different ingredients in it but it is still considered to be available in a quick service chain outlet.  The only thing missing is the drive through.

My friends think I am pretty fussy when it comes to choosing places to eat but I have to say that Aroma constantly impresses me with the direction they keep moving toward.  I had the idea to have fresh food brought into a fast food concept for a long time so it's nice to see the choices that Aroma are making to move the brand forward into the future.

My only wish is that they had late night hours because it seems like all you can get after a movie in this city is a drink, a pizza, street meat or if you are lucky a sub sandwich.

If you are wondering what the Freekeh grain tastes like,  it's very nutty tasting and similar to a quinoa, or rice blend.  The lebneh in the salad adds a nice creaminess that really makes it a satisfying and filling meal.

Aroma would also like to showcase their Ice Mint and Ice Aroma drinks along with their Coconut Orange cake and other fresh made pastries.

If you are looking for a light summer meal for lunch or dinner but still want to eat healthy then this is a great option for you.

I also had their grilled chicken sandwich with red peppers, arugula and mozzarella cheese.

The Aroma espresso bar's are clean, bright and comfortable and the staff are great too.

I may be a bit partial to Aroma as they have been good to me in sponsoring my Food Revolution Day event but I wouldn't have approached them if I didn't believe they were a company with Integrity and a had a great social conscience.

This is the way of the future.  Good food, good for you and good for the world.

If you would like to see what else is on their menu visit their website at www.aroma.ca