Khaya Cookies: Philanthropy by the Bite

After visiting a South African shantytown devastated by unemployment, investment banker Alicia Polak made one sweet sacrifice. She quit her job to help local dwellers find work, using her savings to start a cookie venture.

Little did she expect that her clever endeavor would raise the eyebrows of do-gooders and cookie lovers alike. We are smitten with the taste at Behind the Burner. Food Network presented Alicia Polak with the 2007 Edible Entrepreneur Award. That's no small shakes for a start--up.

Polak's brainchild, the Khaya Cookie Company, employs and trains jobless South Africans as skilled artisan bakers. If you've had your fill of run-of-the-mill, commercial cookies, you've got to give Khaya shortbreads and granola Krunchies a chance.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Granola Fruit Krunchi- With 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving, these bite-sized squares are slightly chewy with just the right amount of sweetness from the dried dates, apricots, and honey--which promote health and longevity--and, not to mention, a nutty, nutritious crunch from flax, sunflower and sesame seeds that add essential fatty acids to your diet.

Orange and Chocolate Krunchi- Made with the oranges hand-grated by a bubbly quartet of South African women, these slightly tangy nuggets are mellowed by the deep cocoa flavor of Belgium dark chocolate. Perfect for a mid-afternoon nibble or an after-dinner mignardise (French word for "little something sweet").

Orange Rooibos Shortbread- Say buh-bye to the blasé butter cookies in the back of your pantry. Infused with rooibos extract from an antioxidant-rich, South African bush, these crunchy squares emit the aroma and flavor of citrus, with a slightly sweet finish. A great complement to your morning cup of tea.

Cranberry Rooibos Shortbread- A Behind the Burner favorite, these were also featured as snack of the day on the Rachael Ray show. With real dried cranberries in each bite, they'll comfort you from the first crunch. Just try to put the box down after a few bites. It's almost impossible.

Grapeseed Shortbread- Teeny, tart currants and grapeseeds from a South African vineyard make these morsels oh so unique: a combination of sweetness and tanginess nicely subdued by the velvety flavor of butter.

With every 150,000 boxes sold, 100 impoverished South Africans obtain jobs. This means more men and women will be able to feed and educate their families.

So, help rescue South Africa from poverty while saving your taste buds from lackluster store-bought treats. Take advantage of our Behind the Burner discount for Khaya Cookies.

Each and every bite will satisfy you inside and out.

— Written by Danielle Travali

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