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Known for its red velvety colour, hibiscus tea can be enjoyed in several ways. Whether it's early in the morning to kickstart your day or as a cold refreshment on a hot day or before bed, you can never go wrong with this natural detox and drink. The flower comes from the mallow plant family that typically grows in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world. OTI Dried Hibiscus Flowers are vitamin-filled There are several hundred species of hibiscus varying by the location and climate they grow in. However, Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used to make hibiscus tea. It has a number of benefits due to its powerful antioxidant content that may help prevent damage and disease caused by the buildup of free radicals. Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It also aids in weight loss and helps keep the liver healthy. We want you to enjoy all the incredible benefits of drinking hibiscus tea, hence, here are five delicious recipes for you. Sobolo (Zobo / Bissap) Recipe This recipe is popular in West African countries as a refreshment for events. It is almost like the red wine of events in those parts. What you need: Juice from blended ginger | Honey (Or any healthy sweetener). Rinse your hibiscus flowers and bring them to boil in a pot with your desired quantity of water. Leave to boil over high heat for approximately 30 minutes to get the colour out of the flowers as much as possible. Strain the coloured liquid after taking it off to cool. Mix with honey/sweetener refrigerate and serve cold for best taste. NB: You can add some pineapple essence for aroma and taste or fresh fruits. Iced Hibiscus Tea Recipe Brewing cold tea takes a really long time. You’d need to let it sit overnight to extract the full flavour of the tea. Since you cannot always plan that far in advance here’s what you can do. You need 1/4 cup of water| 2 Tsp of crushed dried hibiscus| A lot of ice (I’ll usually use half an ice cube tray per cup). Boil the water and pour it over your hibiscus flowers and let them steep for a minimum of 5 minutes. This gives the flowers enough time to bleed their bright red colour into your hot water. Strain out the flowers and mix in 1/2 to 1 tsp of honey before adding your ice to prevent the honey from hardening. Hibiscus Sangria This cold drink can be made overnight with a few delicious additions. You’d love to have a nice jar of it in your fridge for the hot days. This is a perfect alcohol-free substitute for your get-togethers. To start with, add 5 tsp crushed hibiscus petals and a few mint leaves to the jar and pour 3 cups of hot water over the tea and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. After allowing to steep for a while, add 1 cup of mixed fresh or frozen berries. Fill up the rest of the pitcher with cold water and place it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to serve the drink, take out the tea and mix in the desired quantity of honey to taste. Warm Tea Recipe Nothing beats a warm and soothing tea on cold nights. This is probably the simplest hibiscus tea recipe. Just boil water and pour it over 2 tsp of dried hibiscus flowers. Based on your preference, allow it to steep till you get the desired colour of your tea. After 5 to 10 minutes, it will have a thick velvety texture and a dark, rich colour. Keep it warm by covering it. Mix with 1/2 tsp of honey to taste. Black Hibiscus Tea If you want to add a boost of energy to your tea, this recipe is for you. Instead of using 2 tsp of crushed hibiscus, switch out 1 tsp for black tea. Brew it as you would your tea and add 1/2 tsp of honey to taste.

As the year comes to an end, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) held its final networking session to draw the curtains on the activities for its members. The event was held in conjunction with the Christmas edition of Accra Konnect, an event that "connects like-minded professionals & entrepreneurs in Accra to network, grow & make impact! " Aside from Organic Trade and Investments, other companies under MEST that were in attendance include Aku Organics, The Accra Handyman, MedPharma App, Complete Farmer, SnooCode among others. All companies, entrepreneurs and professionals present took turns to sell their brands and services to the audience. The evening cocktail came off on Thursday, December 16 at the Kwae Terrace in Accra. Professional Masters of Ceremonies, Kwesi Kwatia and Asantewaa Gloria made sure members of the audience were bubbly and engaged in the networking session. This forms part of MEST's aim to help SMEs who are part of their various programmes scale up by learning best practices from industry experts and networking. MEST currently runs three programmes in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation; MEST Express, Pre-MEST and MEST Scale.

Oils are very important whether in cooking or in self-care activities in our daily lives. One of such important oils that has various purposes is Argan Oil, also known as 'liquid gold'. Argan oil is made from kernels that grow on the argan trees indigenous to Morocco. It can be used in its pure form on the skin or ingested in order to provide several health benefits. The oil is used in supplement capsules to be taken orally. In addition to these, it is also popularly mixed into a number of cosmetic products like shampoos, soaps, and conditioners. Argan oil has been used over the years to improve the health of skin, hair, and nails due to its richness in fatty acids and vitamin E. Organic Argan Oil from Morocco from Organic Trade and Investments is 100% organic and safe for use. Here are five benefits of argan oil you have been missing out on if you don't use it. 1. Moisturises your skin Most people use argan oil as a moisturiser. Due to its abundance in Vitamin E, it is used in a lot of lotions, soap and hair conditioners. It can be applied on the skin or ingested in the form of supplements for their moisturising effect. 2. Gets rid of acne and skin conditions Argan oil has healing properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This help reduces symptoms for various of different inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea. The results will be best achieved when the oil is applied directly to the skin. For cases of hormonal acne that is caused by excess sebum, argan oil's anti-sebum effects can effectively regulate the amount of sebum on the skin. The result is a smoother, calmer and clearer complexion. Apply OTI Organic Argan Oil from Morocco directly to your skin at least twice a day. You should start to see results after three weeks. 3. Improves healing of wounds The antidioxants in argan oil are strong properties that can increase the healing rate of wounds. This coupled with the Vitamin E present will help the development of skin tissues to cover up a cut. You can apply some argan oil from OTI on the surface of the sound after cleaning it with saline solution. 4. Prevents and reduces stretch marks One of the skin issues people struggle with is stretch marks. This occurs when parts of the body expand to support weight gain. Stretch marks are common in pregnant women whose waistline and stomach stretch to accommodate the unborn child. A 2016 study found that a water-in-oil cream containing argan oil improved skin elasticity. Thus, resulting in the reduction of stretch marks. Apply argan oil directly to the affected area at least twice per day. Starting this as soon as you suspect you see stretch marks will yield best results. 5. Slows down ageing of the skin Argan oil is famous anti-ageing treatment properties. Researchers have found that combining oral and cosmetic argan oil led to a significant increase in the elasticity of the skin. You can get these benefits by applying argan oil directly to the skin, taking the oral supplements regularly or both.

African black soaps are unarguably one of the most popular cosmetic products from the continent. This is obviously because of its skin-enhancing properties that have been testified about over the centuries. At Organic Trade and Investments, Black soap remains one of our bestselling products. Our African Black Soap is 100% organic, free from impurities and has antibacterial properties It is popular for its numerous benefits on the skin, This is no surprise as it is made from the combination of the finest selection of organic herbs and oils such as Neem oil, Shea butter, aloe vera gel and potash all produced from Ghana. If you don't fancy using bar soaps, this article is to teach you how to turn your bars of organic black soap from OTI into smooth silky shower gel. What You’ll Need 2 oz. OTI African Black Soap 6 oz. water Small saucepan Transparent measuring cup Wire strainer Whisk 1 tsp guar gum 1 tsp vegetable glycerin 1 tsp OTI Organic Coconut Oil 10ml of OTI Argan Oil 1 tsp OTI organic shea oil 10 drops essential oil (Based on your preference) Pump bottle (use #1 or #2 plastic or glass if adding essential oils) Preparation Process 1. Cut the soap into pieces using a sharp knife and crumble. 2. Add the water to the crumbled soap in the small saucepan. 3. Stir gently over low to medium heat until the soap is dissolved. 4. Carefully strain melted soap into the measuring cup. 5. Let the hot gel cool. 6. Mix in guar gum, glycerin, coconut oil, and essential oils. 7. Pour the mixture immediately into the pump bottle. 8. The shower gel will thicken over time. The oils will increase the moisturizing benefits of the soap. The preparation of your shower gel would barely last an hour as the process is simple. You can purchase your organic needs in bulk from our e-store.

One of the worst things that could happen to your skin is a burn. Whether it is from the sun or an accident at home or work, burns leave you not just with pain but an unsightly scar. But do you know contrary to popular opinion, putting ice on a burn is dangerous? Next time you get a burn, don’t immediately reach for that ice pack. Although cooling down the burn is the first instinct, who you do it matters. Burns are classified into categories based on how severe they are. First-degree burns are the least severe because only the outer layer of skin is burnt. Second-degree burns, cause blisters and usually affect deeper layers of your skin. Third-degree burns affect all layers of the skin. Meanwhile, fourth-degree burns can reach the joints and bones. Mild burns could heal within a week or two and are unlikely to leave a scar. Burns ought to be treated quickly to avoid infection of any sort while speeding up the healing process. Aloe vera has been a popular skin-care remedy since the Greek physician Dioscorides advocated using it for burns in the first century A.D. The green plant has thick leaves full of a gel-like substance and has been used for a variety of purposes, from treating wounds and cold sores to reducing constipation. In recent years, some scientists have conducted research to determine whether these claims are true. They have, however, found that it contains some anti-inflammatory compounds and may act as an antibacterial agent. Aloe vera is popular for its numerous benefits on the skin and face. In this article, you'll learn how to use organic aloe vera gel from Organic Trade and Investments to treat burns and soothe the pain. OTI Aloe vera gel is 100% natural, extracted from the premium aloe vera plant cultivated in Ghana. Immediately you are burnt, grab your pure aloe vera gel and gently apply it to the area. This will help promote healing by reducing inflammation, promoting circulation, and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The gel speeds up skin cell reproduction up to eight times. Using this remedy will reduce swelling of the area as well. Apply the gel daily on the burn and seek medical assistance if the burn is very severe. A study by Ratree Maenthaisong et al found that "aloe vera might be an effective intervention used in burn wound healing for first to second-degree burns." Its healing properties can work for sunburns on a hot day as well. OTI Aloe Vera gel serves as a protective layer for the skin and retains moisture.

Brukina is also known as Deger, is a very popular beverage, taken as a snack or a whole meal, depending on your mood or the time. In Ghana, Brukina is a mixture of steamed ground millet and fermented cow milk or yogurt. Brukina was mostly prepared and drank by people in the northern part of Ghana but now, brukina can be found everywhere in Ghana especially in traffic. We will be using the OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Grain for this recipe. We had this food available at the 3rd LIPF exhibition and most of those that tasted it gave positive feedback. Odamea (The Communications Assistant of OTI) said at the Exhibition that “I had never tasted the regular street Brukina before but I liked how the OTI Fonio Brukina tasted. I wish some of the street vendors use OTI Fonio Grain for their brukina. INGREDIENTS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Grain - 1 cup Water - 1 cup Salt - 1/2 tsp OTI Organic Honey Fermented Cow Milk or yogurt Medium-sized bowl, ladle, saucepan, tray METHOD Boil the OTI Gluten-Free Fonio grain under low heat for about 5-10 minutes. Spread out the cooked Fonio onto a plate or tray for it to cool. Pour the fresh Cow milk or yogurt on the cool cooked OTI Fonio Grain and stir till it mixes properly Add The OTI Organic Honey or any healthy sweetener of choice to taste as you want. Garnish according to your own preferences. OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Brukina needs not be served with any other meal. It is a completely healthy meal on its own. Get your ingredients from Back to Eden and make yourself this awesome healthy and gluten-free beverage. This recipe is proudly brought to you by Back to Eden Healthy Foods.

Whether as a hot drink early in the morning or served cold as a dessert, the benefits of cocoa powder are undeniable. The thick brown mix does more than satisfy a craving but also does a lot of good for your heart. Researchers in Germany have said substances found in cocoa, fruit and tea could help healthy people keep their heart and circulation in good working order as they get older. By the ned of your reading, you will know why you need to purchase your organic natural or alkalised cocoa powder from Organic Trade and Investments. In an article by the Guardian, it is stated that “the EU-funded project used powdered drinks provided by Mars which contained flavanols extracted from fresh cocoa beans. But the same substances are found in other foods, such as apples, pears, pomegranate and tea. The study is one of the first to look at the effects of flavanols in healthy people”. A doctor at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, Christian Heiss, stated that while most research into the health effects of flavanols was centred on people with high blood pressure or other medical conditions, the latest pilot study suggested the compounds might benefit healthy people too. Here are some benefits of cocoa powder to your heart. *Reduces the risk of high blood pressure. One of the major benefits that come with consuming cocoa powder is its blood pressure reducing ability. Whether in its powdered form or in the form of dark chocolate, scientists have proven that it can help lower blood pressure. A study conducted showed that people in Central America had lower blood pressure than their non-cocoa drinking counterparts in the mainlands. The flavanols present in cocoa are noted to improve nitric oxide levels in the blood, thus, enhancing the function of your blood vessels and reducing blood pressure. This relaxes and dilates your arteries and blood vessels and improves blood circulation. Another research analyzed 35 experiments that provided patients with 0.05–3.7 ounces (1.4–105 grams) of cocoa products or roughly 30–1,218 mg of flavanols. It was found that cocoa produced a small but significant reduction of 2 mmHg in blood pressure. *Lowers susceptibility to heart attack* Aside from reducing your risk of high blood pressure, flavanol-rich cocoa drinks have the power to prevent a heart attack. Additionally, cocoa is said to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol, improve blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and have a blood-thinning effect similar to aspirin. These properties have been linked by scientists to a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Two Swedish studies found that chocolate intake is linked to a lower rate of heart failure at doses of up to one serving of 0.7–1.1 ounces (19–30 grams) of chocolate per day, but the effect was not seen when consuming higher amounts Here are some ways you can consume OTI cocoa powder. Hot or cold cocoa drink: Whether before you start the day or retire to bed, mix your hot or cold cocoa drink with your favouritemilk for taste. Smoothies: You can add cocoa powder your favourite healthy smoothie recipe to give it a richer, chocolatey taste. Sprinkle over fruit: Cocoa is particularly nice sprinkled over sweet tasting fruits like bananas or strawberries.

The main worldwide suppliers of Authentic Premium Quality Organic Fonio; Organic Trade and Investments; is coming your way with yet another intriguing program; OTI FONIO WEBINAR. This is the first of its kind in the history of Fonio all over the world. For the past years, gluten-free products have become household first meals in many homes. Among the diverse range of gluten-free foods on the market, Fonio is well sought for according to research. As one of the pioneers and promoters of African foods and healthy lifestyles, OTI is committed to sensitizing the general public about what recipes this ancient grain can be used for, the nutritional significance, and the health benefits. It is in line with our mission as a Company that we have carefully crafted the upcoming 4-hour OTI Fonio webinar, which will gather health experts and nutritionists, market analysts, and well-renowned chefs both locally and internationally. OTI Fonio webinar seeks to sensitize the general public on the nutritional benefits, health benefits, and uses of the Fonio grain and flour. This webinar will give participants the chance to ask questions and get answers from the panelists; experts in Fonio processing, health experts, and other professionals. The OTI Fonio Webinar will: Provide a short history of Fonio, where it is cultivated, by which countries, tribes, and other necessary facts. Explain the health benefits of Fonio and why it is essential to include this ancient African grain in your diet. Provide culinary tips (Fonio recipes) on how to use both the grain and flour for maximum results. This will be brought to you by our authorized Fonio distributor; BackToEden Healthy Foods. Provide details of the major actors and processors of Fonio in Ghana; and Why OTI Fonio grain and Flour, in particular, are the best and authentic premium quality Fonio products in Ghana and the world at large. This intriguing webinar is happening in December and we want you to keep your eyes and minds glued to our social media pages and blog for more updates. Participation is open to all, young and old, who are excited about learning, discovering new healthy foods, improving on their healthy lifestyle and food consumption. We have the likes of Hale and Hearty Nutrition, Exprom UK, Jebs Eyecare, Be Unic, and many other reputable organizations in partnership with us for this OTI Fonio Webinar. This webinar will be held on Zoom, streamed live on other social media pages, and you can register via this link. If you have any inquiries or questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Virtual Assistant; Kukua Baidoo on +233/(0)24 965 3716.

If you want to know all about the miracle cereal that is being rediscovered in Africa - Fonio, then the upcoming OTI Fonio Webinar is for you. Expert nutritionists and dieticians will be sharing with you the health benefit of this indigenous crop and why you need to imbibe it into your diet plan. With the webinar barely a few weeks away, it is only fair to introduce the host of the event to you. Angela Akua Asante is a bilingual (French/English) emcee, voice-over artist, media communications/PR specialist, and multimedia producer. Also known as “Triple A” due to her initials, the Ghanaian-born entrepreneur’s career spans across different fields -- from sports media to tourism operations and even diplomacy. Angela’s colourful career includes spells as Press Attaché at the French Embassy in Ghana; Supervising Producer of the French Ambassador's TV show; Chief Operating Officer at the Ghana Tourism Chamber; international football journalist for various American and European media outlets. AAA’s career includes a 5-year period as the Ghana-based French-speaking correspondent for the BBC World Service’s BBC Afrique branch in Dakar. Her presence on major French-language international media platforms includes occasional appearances on Radio France Internationale’s popular show, “7 milliards de voisins”. As an international football reporter, Angela has covered four World Cups - in the last seven years pre-COVID-19 -- across men’s, women’s, and youth tournaments; namely the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Russia and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. In addition to her excellent career, she possesses over a decade of experience in online journalism and mentoring young writers. She is also the founder of Media Consulting company TITA Productions through which she has moderated high-level events in tourism, technology, and business and lent her voice for big brands such as Western Union and Kaplan. Prior to leaving the world of sports media after a 13-year career, the “We Are TITANS” documentary producer had been an active member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2012. Aside from sponsoring events such as the 2019 Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)-SRC Sports Week with cash prizes and TITA merchandise for the students, Angela Akua Asante engages in charitable actions -- most often anonymously. In October 2021, Angela Akua Asante won the Media Personality of the Year award at the Ghana Media and Entrepreneurship Awards (GMEA), thanks to massive votes from fans and fellow media colleagues who benefited from her leadership and positive influence at the French Embassy in Ghana. Angela will bring on board her experience to steer the discussion at the OTI Fonio Webinar coming off on December 15, 2021.

There's nothing like a well-cooked bowl of rice made with cooking oil to add some fragrance and taste. Right? What if I told you that you can get amazing health benefits including losing weight from your fragrant bowl of rice. Experts say a cup of white rice contains an average of 200 calories. They have advised that this calorie content can be reduced by adding a little fat and letting it cool. In this article, you'll learn how to make delicious rice made with coconut oil and how it can help you reduce your calorie intake. In a research by the American Chemical Society’s at the national meeting in 2015, using coconut oil and a refrigerator can slash calories by up to 60%. Rice is made up of two types of starch - digestible and resistant. Since the human body doesn’t have the enzymes to digest the second type, it cannot be transformed into sugar and absorbed in the bloodstream like digestible starch. According to health.com,” Some researchers from the College of Chemical Sciences in Sri Lanka wanted to figure out if they could convert some of rice’s digestible starch into the non-digestible type, and thereby make it less caloric. By testing out 38 different kinds of rice and simulating human digestion in a test tube, they devised a recipe for the least caloric way to cook rice: drop a teaspoon of coconut oil into boiling water, then add half a cup of non-fortified white rice and cook it for about 40 minutes. After cooking, stick it in the fridge for 12 hours.” If rice is cooked this way, has at least 10 times the resistant starch as normally prepared rice, and 50-60% fewer calories, the researchers noted. With this in mind, you want to purchase authentic virgin coconut oil from Organic Trade Investments (OTI) to enjoy all of its incredible benefits. Now, let's learn the recipe for coconut rice Ingredients you would need: OTI Organic Agra Brown Rice (2cups/360 grams) | OTI Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil | Fresh Coconut Milk | Water (1⅓ cups (320 mL) cold water ) | Salt The Cooking Process * Rince the quantity of rice that you desire thoroughly in a fine-meshed sieve until the water runs clear. This will remove particles and the excess starch that could make the rice mushier. * Combine all the ingredients and the rice in a saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Frequently check to see if the rice is boiling. If it is, stir well, cover, and immediately reduce the heat too low and cook for some 10 minutes. * After these minutes, the liquid should be well-absorbed. Cover the pot tightly with a lid to retain the steam from cooking. This further helps the rice to cook. * Keep checking the texture of the rice until it's perfect. You can serve this rice with a variety of sauces and other dishes you wish.

In the words of a founding father of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. If these words are true, you wouldn’t want to miss the upcoming Fonio Webinar being organised by Organic Trade Investments (OTI). The day-long event is aimed at teaching you all there is to know about the powerful lost crop from West Africa – The history, benefits, recipes, economic value etc… A long list of health experts and culinary professionals are slated to speak at the event that is scheduled for December 15, 2021. We introduce to you one of our speakers who is an in-house communication professional here at OTI. Kukua Christabel Baidoo is a classically trained PR practitioner, writer, communications executive, and voice-over artist. She climbed up to the current stage of her profession by holding communications and front-line positions with top telecommunication companies such as MTN, Vodafone & Nokia. Kukua has had the opportunity to write and create content for start-ups, companies such as Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) and also on personal blog wall. Having fused her communication skills with considerable marketing/sales experience, she has been able to fit in sales and marketing roles in many organizational outfits in the course of her career. She has been a speaker, organizer and participant at several conferences on public relations and communications for a variety of organizations such as MTN, Glopraise, Hospitals and Enterprise Business Consult (EBC). The brilliant young lady holds an Honours B.A and an HND in Communications and Business Management (Secretariat) respectively from the Christian Service University and Kumasi Technical University. Kukua loves and is exceptionally enthused about anything PR / Communications related and is a skilled writer. She is ever ready to be at your service and offer assistance.

In previous blog posts consecrated to Beeswax, we discovered that natural beeswax has many beauty and therapeutic properties. In today's blog post, we will emphasize the top 3 uses of natural beeswax from its culinary usage to a must-have lubricant and an excellent natural ingredient in cosmetic products. 1. Beeswax use in the Kitchen It is said that the use of natural beeswax in the kitchen for cooking is a novelty we all should assume at least once in our lives. It can be used for frying, added to pastries for baking, greasing cooking sheets, coating of baking irons/pots, and for DIY beeswax wraps. The use of beeswax wraps will greatly cut down on the use of aluminum foil and cling film, helping to cut down the excess use of plastic in most households promoting zero-waste or low-waste. There is a lot to love about beeswax wraps because it’s good for humanity and the planet 2. Natural Lubricant/Polish for Furniture It is very natural for wooden surfaces and objects to get stuck especially in humid seasons. This situation can be frustrating sometimes and one best and quick solution to solve such problems is to rub a bit of beeswax on the difficult areas and then slide them back and forth to ease the tension around such spots. This method can be used on doors, drawers, and windows. Also, to give a shiny and new look to furniture, beeswax can be used to polish the surface. 3. Beeswax for Homemade Cosmetics Beeswax is an active ingredient and used in a variety of cosmetics, ranging from lipstick to nail polishes and in skincare products, from hair conditioners to healing salves. Beeswax increases the thickness of oil (lipids), which gives refined texture and structure to beauty products. It also has the special ability to stiffen but not harden the product – ensuring flexibility of body butter and creams. Most DIY cosmetics use beeswax for various purposes because of its versatility. In most cases, if the choice is given, be sure to use organic products and support their practices and makings.