Tuesday 7 October 2014

Mulberry Yogurt Cake and Health Benefits of Mulberry

We love mulberries, especially homegrown ones.  Fresh mulberries are succulent and delicious. Besides having it fresh, you can also make jam or dessert with these very delicious fruits.  The whole plant of mulberry is edible and it has many health benefits.

My delicious and succulent homegrown mulberries

Facts About Mulberries:
Mulberries are a natural food colorants due to their rich dark potential color and can be used as a natural food dye instead of toxic synthetic artificial dyes that can cause many health problems. Mulberries are considered an important food remedy in Chinese medicine and are a traditional folk remedy in many countries where mulberries have been eaten for hundreds of years. Mulberries are also an ancient fruit of Asia and known in medicinal folklore as a remedy for ringworm, insomnia, arthritis, and tapeworm.

Health Benefits of Mulberries:
1) Great source of Nutrients – Mulberries are an excellent source of vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, and iron. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, protein, riboflavin, phosphorus, magnesium, folic acid, and potassium. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

2) Antioxidant - Mulberries contain antioxidant powers that lessen the damage caused by free radicals. According to the University of Texas Health Science Center – mulberries contain one special antioxidant that has recently been touted for its anti-aging and longevity abilities –“Resveratrol. Resveratrol is an polyphenol flavonoid antioxidant that is also found in red grapes a red wine. The power of the antioxidants in mulberries can also help to prevent cancer and aid in treatment of existing cancer.

3) Anti-Inflammatory - Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used mulberry as a remedy for inflammation. A recent Romanian study discovered that a curcumin and mulberry leaf combination may be a new lead into natural remedies for inflammation.

4) Lower Your Blood Pressure - According to the March 2008 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” mulberries health benefits include a positive affect on blood circulation and lower your blood pressure, make you less susceptible to blood clots, strokes, help to prevent heart disease, and lower cholesterol.

5) Weight Loss Benefits - Mulberries can help you lose weight because 1 cup of raw mulberries has only 60 calories, is high in fiber, and has a high water content.

6) Immune System Support – Mulberries are beneficial for the immune system. They contain alkaloids that activate macrophages. Macrophages are white blood cells that stimulate the immune system, putting it on high active alert against health threats.

7) Retina Protection for your Eyes – Mulberries contain Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively concentrates into the retinal macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant functions and protects the retina from the harmful ultraviolet rays through light-filtering actions.

8) Help Anemia – Because of their high iron content mulberry juice may help those that suffer from anemia.

9) Regulates Blood Sugar –This amazing fruit helps to regulate the blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes. More formal research is needed, but mulberry is thought to contain compounds that support balanced blood sugar levels. Traditional medicine in China, Trinidad and Tobago have all used mulberry leaves to promote balanced blood sugar levels.

10) Good for Digestion – Because mulberries are high in fiber it acts as a mild laxative.Eating mulberries on an empty stomach with a glass of water helps to treat constipation. Adding mulberries to your regular diet can help to prevent indigestion.


For more info on mulberry, please click -->here  
We used to eat mulberries fresh or make it into juice or dessert, however, this time I choose to make cake with it.  I am glad I give this a try as it turned our very delicious and this recipe is a keeper too!
This recipe is adapted from Lovely Butter Cakes page 20 with some minor modifications in red.
Ingredients :
- 150g margarine (I used butter)
- 130g caster sugar (I used 120g)
- 3 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- 50g blackcurrant (I used 60g  mulberries)
- 100g yogurt

Method :

1)  Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
2)  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3)  Fold in self-raising flour in batches and mix well.
4)  Lastly pour in yogurt and mulberries and mix.
5)  Pour batter into 8x3x3 baking mould.
6) Bake at preheated oven at 170c for 40 minutes or till skewer inserted comes out clean.
Great for tea time or breakfast




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23 comments:

  1. Hi Ivy! I never knew that mulberries have so many heath benefits. But still, I am more interested in your cake hah..hah... Looks like another delicious cake and the addition of these super mulberries make it even better!

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    1. Yes, Phong Hong, mulberries has many health benefits. Very good for eyesight too... Give this a try and you will love it. Thanks for dropping by and glad that you are recovering fast. Take care and regards :)

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  2. I tried growing the tree, but kaput. Gave up. But definitely I agree, nothing like fresh fruits from your own garden for cakes. The cake is a stunner and I can imagine how the taste would have been.

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    1. Hi Nava, always keep your rice water for your plants. Very good. Try growing mulberry plant again.... you can also cook sweet dessert with the leaves. Good for eyesight too... Thanks for dropping by and cheers :)

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  3. This was really exciting--we planted a couple Mulberry trees (well, they were actually tiny Mulberry sticks...) two years ago. They are about 2 feet tall now and actually look like little trees so I can hardly wait until they start producing!

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    1. Hi Inger, good to hear that you have a couple of Mulberry trees too. Mulberry jam is also very yummy. Try it and you will love it. Enjoy your week and cheers :)

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  4. Hi Ivy,
    This Mulberry yogurt cake looks so yummy with fresh mulberries from your garden . Love the ruby red colors of the berries . I love fresh fruit in cakes too , always taste better especially using seasonal fruits . Bookmarking this recipe & hoping to get a mulberry plant too ! :p

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    1. Hi Kit, yes, now I am also experiencing fresh fruits in cakes and bread too. They taste wonderful. Thanks Kit and warmest regards :)

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  5. Hi Ivy,l
    Thanks for sharing the benefits of mulberry.
    I love mulberries, especially home grown.
    Thanks again for sharing such lovely mulberry cake.
    Wish I can have a piece from you to enjoy with a cup of warm tea.
    mui

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    1. Thanks Mui Mui. Yes, I love homegrown mulberries too. I even dried the leaves for tea and it tastes great too. Would love to bake for you. You have a wonderful week and warmest regards :)

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  6. Wow Ivy, this is such a pretty cake, although I do not find mulberry often here, i sure would love to try this recipe...this cake would be perfect with a cup of tea...
    Enjoy your week :D

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    1. Thanks Juliana for your compliments. You can substitute mulberries with any of your preferred fresh fruits. I am sure you will love it as this recipe is indeed a keeper. Do enjoy your week too and warmest regards :)

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  7. Your cake looks amazingly delicious, Ivy! I love berries and grow many in my yard. Your mulberries look very much like what I call blackberries. I would love to try your cake…it would be perfect with my morning tea! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Kathy for your sweet compliments. You have a wonderful day and regards :)

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  8. Hi Ivy
    You grow your own mulberries? Wow! Where are you living?
    Your cake sure looks very yummy :) Thanks for your submission to MTR #3, no worries about the rules, I am not too sure if mulberry is an autumn fruit but I appreciate your support very much. To be honest, I have never eaten mulberries before, I have only used raspberries, cranberries and blackberries, but I will definitely keep a lookout for mulberries for my next trip to the supermart. :)

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    1. Hi, Miss B, I stay in KL and yes, I grow my own mulberries. Very easy to grow. You have a fabulous day and regards :)

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  9. Hi Ivy,
    Your cake looks wonderful! And mulberries are great in bakes, I always use them when the recipe calls for any berry fruits. I have a plant but with very little fruits, as I grow it in a pot. The fruits can be frozen.
    A slice of your cake would be lovely indeed with a cup of tea.
    Thanks for sharing with CYB! Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead. :)

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    1. Hi Joyce, thanks for your sweet compliments. Oh yeah? So, the next harvest, I am going to freeze it too. Thanks for the info. Have a wonderful holiday and cheers :)

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  10. Looks, delicious and comforting yoghurt cake!!!
    sure gonna try this recipe....

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    1. Thanks Dentistvschef and have a nice day :)

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  11. Hi Ivy, I eat mulberries almost everyday. Next time I'll use them to bake this cake and need not worry about it's fat content cos' mulberries can combat cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I just came back from Thailand and starting to drink mulberry tea to remedy my cholesterol and blood sugar levels to good levels after eating some much meat dishes and desserts which are damn sweet.

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  12. My pleasure and thanks for your dropping by :)

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  13. Yes, Kimmy, eating mulberries daily is a very healthy diet.and habit Good for eye sight too! Thanks for dropping by and warmest regards :)

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