Activated Charcoal - Recipes and Suggestions

Well-known for quite some time and mainly used by doctors for its numerous beneficial properties, especially in cases of mushroom poisoning, activated charcoal is now also making its way onto Italian tables. Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a dietary supplement obtained from the flame-free combustion of various types of wood such as poplar, willow, birch, and lime. Activated charcoal is produced under specific conditions that allow it to reach temperatures of 600 - 1200 °C without burning, as the environment is devoid of oxygen. Subsequently, the charcoal undergoes specific treatments that give it a porous appearance. This sponge-like aspect, that is, its porosity, and the associated light consistency, are essential for its significant adsorptive capabilities, allowing it to attract numerous molecules and toxic substances contained in food. Due to this beneficial property, for many years activated charcoal was sold in pharmacies, often in the form of tablets, to counteract gastrointestinal disorders and aid digestion. Gradually, however, the need to assist many allergic individuals or customers suffering from annoying intestinal disorders has led numerous chefs to explore the world of activated charcoal. Thus, we find dishes on our tables that are black in colour, with some shades leaning towards green, indicating the presence of activated charcoal. It should be clarified, however, that both the taste and smell of these foods remain unchanged. In order for our foods to receive the customary black colour of activated charcoal and enjoy its countless colouring properties, it is necessary to add about 10-15 grams of activated charcoal powder for every kilogram of commonly used flour. Consequently, pizza, bread, croissants, breadsticks, rusks, and pasta enriched with this intense colour are beginning to be appreciated. Activated charcoal is commonly used to counteract bloating and flatulence, as it is capable of absorbing all the gases present in the intestine. Furthermore, activated charcoal not only absorbs and eliminates intestinal gases but also retains on its surface all the bacteria that produce intestinal gases. Activated charcoal is also useful against dyspepsia, gastritis, and gastric hyperacidity. In this regard, activated charcoal contains some basic minerals that can counteract acidity, restoring the acid-base balance of our body. Finally, activated charcoal is also indicated against diarrhoea and food poisoning from arsenic, heavy metal poisoning, or medications.

It should be noted that beyond its colouring properties, charcoal has no proven healing effect in baked goods.