Franklin's Super Foods

By Matt

I first met Franklin last March. After everything I heard about him, I had to go see him for myself. Just a short walk down the hill that Costa Rica Yoga Spa is located on, I came to his rasta-painted gate. As I walked down his driveway I noticed his yard was a garden full of turmeric plants, cacao, pineapple, mango trees, and coconut palms to name a few. 
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A couple of large glass cases full of neatly placed jars and handcrafted jewelry rested outside of his door. The jars contained all sorts of goodies, from raw organic honey, marmalade, to spices and hydrated fruits. I thought I saw it all until I walked through his front door. First, I noticed a large table made from a large sliver of a very old tree, with a couple of people chatting and drinking some sort of yellow concoction. When my attention averted to the rest of his place, I was taken back by the variety of raw foods and ingredients he had on display. Large glass cases separated the patron area to the back of his store, which contained dozens of well organized glass jars each with a unique raw fruit or spice. Even more jars perfectly lined the shelves that were located behind the cases. To the right were a couple of refrigerators displaying different colored beverages, which radiated health and wellbeing. 

I could tell whoever owned this shop, took great pride and care to what he was doing. This is the guy to talk to about super foods, and for the next hour I would be his pupil. Franklin shortly appeared from the kitchen, wearing a Bob Marley shirt and a big smile. There was a jovial kindness to him. He was someone you wanted to listen to and learn from. 

Franklin began telling me how he got started in raw foods and how many of his ingredients are homegrown organically and dehydrated at the raw temperature. I asked him what his favorite things to make and eat were.  He began telling me about a snack he calls a fruit sushi roll. Of course, there is no fish involved, just dried fruits and spices. He starts the roll with a square sheet of pressed and dried mango usually and then adds slivers of papaya, banana, coconut, and pineapple. He likes to top off the roll with some cacao and a dash of cayenne to accentuate the flavors and help with absorption. I put the roll in my mouth and immediately thought of a fruit roll-up with a hint of chocolate aftertaste. It was delicious and of course very healthy and nutritious. 

After leaving Franklin’s I felt inspired and even a little lighter. He peaked my interest about a raw food diet and how great they can taste when they are paired correctly. I have since been back to Franklin’s and always learn something new each time I visit. If you ever find yourself in Nosara, I would highly recommend making a trip to Franklin’s located at the bottom of the mountain of Costa Rica Yoga Spa, just south of Playa Ostional.