Healthy living has never been easier, thanks to Bohemian Quest. Located on Wijerama Mawatha, it is right opposite the shop Lassana Flora. This small outlet has everything you need to make what you eat, a whole lot healthier.
Everything here is healthy, natural and affordable. I tried these products for a week, including them into my meals and daily routine. Although I did not like all of them, it is safe to say I will be going back soon.
The Food
This may not come as a surprise to anyone when I say that it's not always easy to find healthy options in Sri Lanka and the ones that are available usually requires you to sacrifice a limb or two. However, at Bohemian, you start from Rs. 200.
The nutrition bars they have are Rs. 200 each and has quite a variety of flavors including; banana, pineapple, fruit and nut etc. The Fruit and Nut bar was 400 calories and included dried banana, mango, papaya, pineapple, cashew nut and coconut treacle. It is a delicious and filling meal replacement. You can grab it in the morning before you head out the door and it will keep you full until lunch.
left to right: Dehydrated Watermelon Strips, Dehydrated Banana Coins, Dehydrated Mango Strips and Toasted coconut chips.
Now, if that nutrition bar wasn't enough and you feel yourself getting hungry around 10 a.m, instead of looking for a fish bun or a slice of cake, I suggest you take a bag of any one of these snacks which are guaranteed to satisfy that hunger. They're all organic, of course.
- The Watermelon Strips (Rs. 380) are perfect to satisfy those sweet tooth cravings instantly. It was sweet and chewy. The entire pack is only 80 calories. It has tons of health benefits, some of which are: improves heart health, strengthens the immune system and enhances digestive health.
- The Banana Coins (Rs. 230) are a great source of fiber and vitamins. However, it was the least of my favorites. The chewy texture and the sweet flavor didn't work for me, especially since it smelled like old bananas. However, it is still a great source of fiber and vitamins.
- The Toasted Coconut Chips (Rs. 280) were one of my favorites. The chips are perfectly toasted and succulent. The texture is soft and slightly crunchy with a sweet and coconutty flavor filling your taste buds. It also increases digestion and enables your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, therefore you can have it as an evening snack or put it on your cereal/oats in the morning.
- The Mango Strips (Rs. 400) were my absolute favorite. They have nailed the sweet, tangy flavor we all love in a mango and the firm texture of the strips gives your teeth a workout as they are not easy to bite. They are a great source of dietary fiber and contains powerful antioxidants. Pick up a bag today.
Keep in mind, too much of anything is never good. So, be mindful of how much you're snacking on.
They also have coconut spreads like coconut pineapple, coconut ginger, coconut cinnamon, coconut cacao, and coconut. The Coconut Cacoa (Rs. 400) is a delicious alternative for those sugary jams that we are so used to. It has a thick texture like peanut butter and it is quite versatile so apart from spreading it on bread or crackers, you can add a teaspoon of it to your morning oats or mix a few teaspoons into your smoothies.
I would have preferred to have a stronger cacao taste as this was non-existent and for some people, it might taste like treacle as well because it certainly did for me. It was not my favorite but I would like to try other flavors and see.
Yes, they also have Walnuts (Rs. 750) which has been imported from Australia. For someone who is a sucker for nuts and seeds, I was genuinely excited to see this on the shelf. The walnuts were absolutely delicious and crunchy. It is a plant protein which is naturally low in sugar and sodium, with loads of health benefits like increased bone health, cures fungal infections, glowing skin, and stronger hair etc. It is 600 calories. I highly recommend it.
The Sun Dried Goji Berry (Rs. 600) was a pleasant surprise. Although it is quite expensive for a small pack of 50g, it is also a versatile superfruit full of antioxidants. You can add a handful of it to your cereal or a smoothie for breakfast or you can throw some onto a salad as well. That's not all, goji berries work so well with tea as well. Add a handful to your tea and let it sit and hydrate for 5-10 minutes. Tastewise, it has a tinge of sweetness to it.
Apart from these foods they also have quinoa, pasta, quinoa noodles, coconut sugar, coconut flour, greek yogurt, white flour and almonds (which had sadly run out) and many more.
The Drinks
Their drinks focus mainly on tea, organic tea, iced tea and flavored water.
The Organic Chai Tea (Rs. 300) has become a sort of an addiction for me. Being a tea lover myself, the strong chai flavor and the aroma of spices and herbs are a great way to start and end your day.
Service & Ambiance
The place is owned by a lovely couple who seemed to have understood what it is to live healthily and that it is a lifestyle, not a small habit here and there. They are supportive and very helpful. Do not hesitate to ask for tips and their personal recommendations.
The place is quite tiny but not in a congested way. It has a very organic and natural vibe to it with wooden shelves and counters that just makes you want to stay a little bit longer.
Conclusion
It is a great place to stock up your pantry with healthy and organic products which you can incorporate into many of your meals. We highly recommend you visit them at least once. There are lots of options.
