Found Treasure: Terra Superfoods

May 14, 2021 – One of my earliest mentors in journalism encouraged what he called “Huh?-Oooooh!” openings to seize an audience’s attention.

“Huh?” as in a hook that has readers thinking, Wow—what is this all about? And then, after the reveal: “Ooooh,” I get it. That’s enlightening stuff.

Something similar happens with Terra Superfoods, or at least the things I tried: What the heck was that? Then Ooooh, I get it, that’s incredible. 

Terra had been on my treasure-hunting radar since my colleague and flavor bloodhound Raúl Nava reported it was in development. But it wasn’t until I got a voicemail from chef Cal Stamenov that I knew it was go time. Stamenov is a masterful craftsman in the kitchen, but arguably his greatest gift is a knack for sussing out sources for, say, the most captivating chanterelle or beautiful piece of sea bass. To say he knows good product is like saying Lady Gaga has a slight affection for fashion.

“I hear she’s doing psychedelic-colored food,” he said. “I’m excited to try it.”

She is owner-operator Jade Vucina, a Brazilian-American native of the Monterey Peninsula. After graduating from Pacific Grove High School, an extended residence living in the beach community of Maresias in Brazil deepened her love for açaí bowls. Upon her return, she felt frustrated by the lack of them, which are celebrated for their nutrient and antioxidant density. (Açai bowls are essentially thick and spoonable açaí berry smoothies in a bowl, adorned with things like granola, oatmeal and fruit.)

So she debuted Jade’s Açai at Old Monterey Farmers Markets several years ago. And now she’s graduated to a modest, clean and sharply designed space in the Trader Joe’s complex of shops.

Guests can customize an order on the touch screen with a credit card or directly with staff. They can opt for one of her two pre-planned formulas, like the Terra with granola, açai, pitaya (or dragonfruit), blue spirulina chia pudding, seasonal fruit, sliced almonds, shaved coconut, raw pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, cacao nibs and almond butter. 

A surprise bonus element: While waiting for an order, those so inspired can shop the retail rack of bikinis Vucina designs herself. 

On my visit she sampled me on the açai, pitaya, “power greens” and “blue magic” base blends. Each proves earthy and naturally sweet in their own unique way. Huh?-Oooh four times in a row. 

The all-vegan, largely organic, local-produce-driven menu also unleashes cold-pressed juices and grain bowls. I asked Vucina to hit me with a dealer’s choice açai bowl.

Into a tall bowl she layered all four bases, chilled. Then she emptied her inventory. That meant everything the Terra features, plus flax seeds, goji berries, mulberries, cranberries, cashews, local Acosta honey, bee pollen and spectacular Positively Nutz vegan nut butter. 

Health advocates who encourage us to “Eat our colors” would throw a parade for this dish. 

Flavor-wise, so much is happening—borderline too much. But it works, like a mosh pit teetering on the brink of chaos that stays fun and energizing instead. Bowls like this run about $12 with the nut butter add-on.

While the burly bowl speaks for itself, the more I learn about Vucina the better her operation gets. That ranges from her environmentally driven vegetarianism to her desire to give back, which includes teaming with nonprofit Rancho Cielo to employ its students. 

“It comes from trying to do my personal best every day: doing better for my community, for myself, for my two boys, all of it,” she says. “I feel better when I’m doing good.”

In conclusion, sorry Skittles. If people want to taste the rainbow, Terra is a wildly better way than a packet of candy, whether you’re talking karma, personal health, flavor, freshness or Earth-friendliness.

Which also makes it the type of treasure for which this column was created.

More at terrasuperfoods.com.