Alchemy Bali

“By eating meat we share the responsibility of climate change, the destruction of our forests, and the poisoning of our air and water. The simple act of becoming a vegetarian will make a difference in the health of our planet.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

We are all aware of the repercussions of eating a meat based diet on our bodies, the climate and the environment around us. A lot of us don’t realise just how rich nutritionally plant based proteins like seeds, nuts, Non GMO soy can be and how they can be incorporated into your daily diets. I eat pretty healthy for the most part and do enjoy the benefits of a plant based diet but havent been able to switch over completely yet.

If you like to indulge mindfully then Bali is definitely the place for you. With #acaiberry bars, smoothie bowl cafes, paleo stores and vegan cafes sprouting up at every corner of the island- its the perfect place to eat healthy and stay in shape. During my time in Seminyak in September, I walked across to Potato Head Beach Club before the crowds from Ultra Music Festival came in.

Right at the entrance, was a beautiful cafe with plenty of natural light and the most amazing desserts section. I had visited Alchemy and Earth Cafe in Ubud on previous trips to Bali but was thrilled to see one in Seminyak. Alchemy, was started by a group of conscious individuals who believed in mindful eating and food as medicine. Started way back in 2011, the ethos behind Alchemy Cafe was to encourage people to eat a plant based diet, harness the medicinal properties in food and lead cleaner lives.

I met Verena, Senior Marketing Communications Manager for Alchemy Bali. She was cheerful and greeted me with a big, warm hug. Her energy was infectious and she was looking healthy and radiant. I couldn’t help but attribute it to all the good food at Alchemy. After showing me around, we sat down on the stools to order a quick lunch.

All you healthy eaters can rejoice and jump for joy because being here is akin to being in a candy store except that these desserts are sweetened with stevia, coconut sugar and none of the nasty processed stuff. There were plenty of salads made with superfoods, sprouts, zucchini pasta (also called ‘faux pasta’) and Instagram worthy smoothie bowls.

I ordered a bunch of drinks ranging from turmeric elixirs and cold pressed juices. Like India, the Balinese people believe in the curative properties of herbs and spices and use turmeric in a lot of their recipes for its anti inflammatory and immune boosting properties. I felt like I had a cold coming on so I went straight for the drink and it was surprisingly delicious with a bit of honey and lime. Next up was my favourite salad- the ‘buddha bowl’ made with chinese cabbage, avocado and a sesame tamari vinaigrette for that hint of umami. I love buddha bowls because they are wholesome, satisfying and full of cardio protective healthy fats like seeds and avocado. I was making my way through the menu strategically because this place has the best desserts hands down. I wanted to be able to sample more than a few desserts.

What I love about #AlchemyBali is that everything at Alchemy Cafe is prepared in house, fresh and 100% vegan. All of the items are free from refined flour, sugar, eggs, dairy, chemicals and additives. The cafes have garnered a loyal following in Indonesia and worldwide as people wax eloquently about their raw chocolates, Jamu and their immunity boosting kombucha.

Anyway, I digress, the desserts are made with gluten free flour, coconut oil, nut milk, raw cacao and natural sweeteners along with superfoods like maca, lucuma and goji berries. I tried the raw dessert called ‘lemon coconut’ which was a decadent and delicious cashew coconut cheesecake with cherries.

Mind you, albeit vegan and raw, these desserts are nutritionally dense and are quite filling. Next up were the raw chocolate truffles. I tried the peanut butter cup which had the perfect ratio of salt and sweet and this incredible texture from the crunchy peanut butter. The ‘cacao pow’ exploded in my mouth. Made with organic coffee, gluten free oats, coconut oil and coconut flour, this could have been the perfect pre workout snack. I rounded off my truffle tasting with the ‘white magic’ that was a #sugarfree white chocolate ball. I always gravitate towards the darker chocolates but this one was interesting and sweetened with #stevia so I had to try it. I couldn’t eat anymore so I packed a few bars for my workout in the evening. The power bars are made from nuts and seeds and sweetened with coconut sugar, palm sugar or stevia. The ‘bounty bar’ was my favourite because it was the perfect marriage of coconut and milk chocolate and it transported me to my childhood where I would eat sneak bounty bars into my room to eat them at night.

The establishment has two outlets- one in Seminyak and the other one in Ubud and they have been instrumental in reviving the plant based diet and revolutionising the way we eat. The founders of Alchemy believe in ‘Food as medicine’ and have curated conferences, workshops and published a cookbook to spread awareness on the benefits of a plant based diet. I was thoroughly impressed with their initiative and will definitely make my way back to Alchemy for a meal or to grab my weekly supply of the turmeric elixir. Special thanks to Verena for organising a lovely afternoon for me, even on a busy day. I can’t wait to be back. For all of you visiting Bali, please include #alchemybali in your healthy eating list and I promise you’ll leave with a happy, healthy belly.

I wanted to end with a quote that echoes the philosophy at Alchemy-

“Alchemy are here to promote heart-based culture and set the intention for unconditional Love, Authenticity, Health, and Gratitude through high-vibe lifestyle choices. Your health is the first and most important step to transformation,” said General Manager of Alchemy Bali, Ririn Setyowati Low.

Verdict:
All the cutlery and straws are sustainable and made from recyclable materials particularly in the Ubud branch for takeaway and delivery. They have a strict no plastic policy, in an effort to do good by the environment. Although competitively priced, the quality of the ingredients are unparallelled whether its the raw cacao or the sweetener and it is definitely worth every rupiyah.

About the book:
Raw Alchemist is a book that is a treasure trove of recipes for conscious foodies, vegans and health nuts. It has sold 500 copies in 40 countries in the first month alone. It features over 100 healthy recipes. To place your order, write in to marketing@alchemybali.com

About Alchemy:
Bali’s first raw, vegan restaurant and juice bar that opened in Ubud first and now has a storefront in Seminyak. It was set up by a group of passionate and conscious creatives with a passion for food, green juice and raw chocolate. Alchemy has its own farm in the hills of Jatiluwih that supplies most of the produce for both outlets.

Quick Notes:
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/alchemybali/?hl=en
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AlchemyBali/
Tripadvisor reviews-https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g297701-d2401817-Reviews-Alchemy-Ubud_Bali.html
Website- www.alchemybali.com

Seminyak Address:
Open everyday 9 am -10 pm
Delivery services are also available

Jl. Petitenget
51 B, Seminyak
(Entrance of Potato Head Beach Club)
Email- alchemy.seminyak@gmail.com