Vinkymon: Delicious Estonian superfoods for body and mind

With a focus on local ingredients and traditional recipes, Vinkymon OÜ produces and distributes Estonian superfood products including lemonades, snacks, and sauces. Tasty and healthy products, like something from your grandmother’s pantry.

Founded in 2012, Estonian company Vinkymon grows and processes the superfoods flowering quince and garlic. “We had the idea to popularise quince and products made from it,” says Rando Vink, CEO. “Having experimented with flowering quince and garlic for years, we wanted to share the fantastic produce with the world. This is why we established the first flowering quince farm in Estonia – to share our country’s culture and healthy cuisine.”

The produce is grown at the farm in the village of Ärina in the Väike-Maarja rural municipality. Here, most of the work is done manually and the harvest is processed and packaged at the workshop, providing controlled high quality from start to finish. Vink explains; “Fruits are picked from the fields and bushes every autumn and with the help of locals, we transform them into healthy, organic products – like something from your grandmother’s pantry.”

Flowering quince and garlic

Garlic and flowering quince grow in the clean, natural environment of Estonia. Both are known for their health benefits for the body and the mind. “Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants and has helped bolster people’s health for thousands of years,” says Vink. “And the fruits of flowering quince are also ancient, known as the golden apples of many legends and myths.”

Research suggests that the fruits of the flowering quince can prevent the risk of diabetes, allergies, and liver diseases. “In addition, the plant has many other positive effects: the fruit of the flowering quince can be conducive to the growth of useful gut microbiota and contribute to several metabolic processes,” says the CEO. The plant also has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects and anti-inflammatory properties.

A recent addition to the Vinkymon farm is black garlic, which is made through a unique fermentation process that changes the flavour and properties of garlic. Black garlic is rich in antioxidants, contains components that can help strengthen the immune system and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. It is also rich in minerals, B vitamins and dietary fibre. A true superfood.

Variety of superfood products

The range of products by Vinkymon is designed to enhance the flavour and nutritional value of food. It includes refreshing soft drinks such as quince lemonade, snacks and baked goods, as well as sauces, spices and pastes. The line-up also includes natural extracts such as wheat syrup and oat syrup, which adds natural sweetness and creaminess to drinks such as coffee.

Try the flavourful black garlic products such as ketchup, sauce with lingonberries, and teriyaki. These popular sauces combine black garlic, tomato, quince juice, fresh garlic, onion and various spices. “The sweetness in the black garlic ketchup comes from natural sugars and red onion, with hints of thyme and rosemary – it’s perfect for enhancing the flavour of meat and vegetables,” says Vink. “And the black garlic sauce with lingonberries is inspired by Nordic culinary traditions, with a savoury yet sweet and tart flavour that pairs well with burgers and sausages.”

A real treat is the garlic crisps. “Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants that has helped people improve their health for thousands of years, and our selection of snacks has been boosted with this slightly spicier version,” smiles Vink. “This product has won our hearts and the hearts of many others.”

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