A look back on the year 2021 at Jekka’s

By Caroline Anderson March 21, 2023 21 mins read 108 Views

Welcome to BelovedSaffron.com, where we celebrate all the wonderful flavours of spices and herbs worldwide! We are not just chefs but food enthusiasts. Our mission is to bring awareness to spices, herbs, organic foods, and sustainable farming. As passionate fans of saffron, this is our way of sharing its wonderful uses with the rest of you! But Beyond saffron recipes and dishes, we seek to cultivate a community of people dedicated to creating delicious meals in their home kitchens or five-star restaurants worldwide! If you have a fantastic family recipe that you would like to share with our readers and us or want to contribute content for our blog, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Everyone has the potential to create something unique with spice and herbs in their very own kitchen - show us what you can do!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

It has been an exciting year! Unfortunately, COVID-19 remains with us, but vaccines and lateral flow testing offer hope for some sort of normality. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 2022.

Despite all the challenges, herbs have continued to thrive. The herbs add colour and flavour to the gardens and provide food and shelter for many birds and insects. Gardens, patios, and balconies have been an important place to relax and improve your health over the past few years. Gardens are essential to our lives.

Jekka has a blog about Health and well-being in gardening & Horticulture

Early Spring

Do you recall the start of the year? It was extremely cold, and the cold wind caused havoc at Jekka's Herbetum. Both Rosemarys as well as Myrtles were affected.

Jekka demonstrated that both can be saved by careful pruning. She also highlighted the fact Myrtle will shoot old wood, which allows you to prune Myrtle as hard as you like. Rosemary, however, is a Lamiaceae member and can only be cut back to the green (a living wood span>

View the Jekka’s Guide to Pruning videos online.

Spring

Our first Open Days were delayed due to a strange (and we believe unnecessary) restriction that nurserys are not allowed to open. We had to wait until April to hold our first Open Days. They were well attended, with many herb wheel bars being sent out. After a difficult year, it was great to see familiar faces. We will have our first open days in 2022 (all going well), on Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd 2022. (See our Events calendar for dates ).

We also began sending out our spring culinary herb collection boxes with perennial and colourful Easter collections. Jekka's Herb Box Collections include grow guides, recipes, and information cards. After the herb boxes have been harvested, we love to hear about them and are grateful for all those who brought one. To be notified about next year's collections, sign up for our newsletter.

Jekka is most proud of her biggest accomplishment, and the reason she is so proud to have cracked the propagation of Curry Trees. These will be available for purchase in the spring of 2022. There is a huge waiting list. We thank everyone for your interest and will contact you in the new year if they are available (keep your fingers crossed for a favorable Spring). Jekka's blog, All about herbs: Curry Tree, Bergera Koenigii, has more information and explains why there is so much interest in the Curry Tree.

Jekka enjoyed her visit at Charles Dowding's vegetable garden and the new herb garden, which was planted with Jekka’s herbs. Charles' no-dig philosophy was explained to us and we left with a delicious bag of salad leaves. See the video of Charles and Jekka talking about herbs in Jekka’s How to Grow Herb Guide.

Summer

Our first Jekka’s HerbFest, held in July 2021, was the highlight of our 2021 year. The 3-day event featured talks, cooking demonstrations, Jekka’s Herbetum bee tours and music. There were many people sharing their passions for herbs, including chefs, garden designers, food writers, herbalists and garden experts. Our 2021 Speakers & demonstrators were:

Chris Collins. Mark Diacono. Charles Dowding. Kate Durr. Josh Eggleton. Romy Gill. Rob Howell. Simon Mills. Sally Nex. Alex Noble. Nathan Outlaw. Barbara Segall. Naomi Slade. Jo Thompson. Tamsin Westhorpe. Jean Vernon. Jekka McVicar.

Our friends from Jekka's HerbFest, the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, were a great help. They set up a tent, made herb tisanes and gave informal consultations. We look forward to continuing the collaboration in 2022.

We also received lovely messages about this event:

"Thanks for a wonderful experience at Jekka’s HerbFest today. It was a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere with great talks and delicious food. "

- A. Mant Surrey

Check out our www.jekkasherbfest.com for pictures from the event and pencil in the first weekend in July 2023 for the next one.

Jekka partnered with Riverstone, who offer high-quality retirement living in central London. Jekka is creating Riverstone's herb gardens that residents can enjoy fully. Jekka's herb garden design philosophy will allow family members, grandchildren, and friends to enjoy the space, and most importantly, their own. We are excited about the project and look forward to watching it grow next year.

Jekka visited Riverstone in the summer and held a Herb Discussion on the 'Spice of Life With Herbs'. You can learn more about growing herbs in your home by visiting our blog, Jekka's Top 10 Houseplants.

Autumn

We were thrilled to be able hold Jekka's Master Classes in Autumn 2021. These classes had been postponed from the beginning 2020 and were rescheduled for the end of 2020. Jekka's Garden Design Master Class was run as well as Master Classes in Botanical Screenprinting and How to Use Herbs.

Our first Friends of Jekka Master Classes on Spice & Fermentation were held in Autumn. Kumud Gandhi led the 'Alchemy of Spice' class. It covered both medicinal and culinary uses of spices and explored their journey. Participants also created delicious recipes to take home, including chickpea tagine and butternut squash, Lebanese Kibbeh, caponata and Lebanese kibbeh. Jekka's blog by Kumud about the " Alchemy of Food span>

Mark Diacono, who led the fermentation class on the basis of his book Sour, was next. It was an informative master class that covered the various types of ferments and how to make sauerkraut or Giardiniera at home.

As the autumn approached and the climate change talks were approaching, we focused our attention on sustainability and revisited previous blogs on our environmental approach, sustainable garden tips, and organic gardening. Alan Tichmarsh recently highlighted our sustainable gardening method and the amazing biodiversity of the herb farm in his series "Love your Weekend" on ITV. (links on Jekka’s Press Page ).

We published the New Jekka’s 2022 Herb Calendar in our spare time. It is a celebration and celebration of herbs throughout each year. Jekka’s Herb Calendar features beautiful photographs taken by Jekka at Jekka’s Herb Farm or Jekka’s Herbetum. Each month we highlight a herb, give Jekka's top tips, and offer some useful advice on how to make your herbs look great and add colour and flavor to your garden. You can scan the QR codes on Jekka’s Herb Calendar to go to the appropriate page on our website.

Winter

Winter is often viewed as the quiet season in the garden, when plants go into hibernation before the cold weather sets in. This isn't true for any herb farm or nursery. It is the time to plan and prepare for the next season. In our November Newsletter, we covered several activities for winter months. However, we also do final seed harvesting, start cleaning, and divide and propagate mint.

Last year was Christmas Charity Open Days. This year, we held our second Christmas Putting Down Roots program. We are grateful for all those who came out and supported us. We are thrilled to have raised more than PS1200 this year for St Mungo’s Putting down Roots. Also, it was wonderful to hear Jekka's Christmas Carol sung by the Avon Harmony A Cappella Chorus (watch it on Instagram or visit the Carol in Jekka’s 12 Herbs For Christmas blog).

2022

We don't know what 2022 will bring in the way of COVID-19 lockdowns, climate changes, and possibly something else. We encourage you to live sustainably, and to grow herbs wherever possible. We are looking forward to welcoming back you to the herb farm by 2022.

Happy Herbs, all at Jekka’s

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eating raw basil good for you?

I'm sure everyone knows that fresh herbs are great for cooking but did you know that you could eat them too? Raw, uncooked herbs are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that we normally have to cook.

They contain more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable. And they also help our immune systems stay strong and healthy.

The best way to enjoy these delicious little green gems is to eat them raw from the garden. But there's nothing wrong with enjoying them cooked, either. They taste even better when sautéed in olive oil and served alongside pasta or rice.

There are lots of ways to incorporate raw herbs into recipes. Add them to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, omelets, stir-fries, and pesto.

Just make sure you wash them well first!

What are the disadvantages of using herbs?

Herbs are a great way to keep your body healthy because they contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, carotenoids, sterols, and sterolins. Some even contain cannabinoids.

But there are also lots of side effects associated with herbal remedies. For example, taking too much herb could cause liver damage or even death. Herbal supplements may interact with prescription drugs, which means that they might affect how well the drug works.

Some herbs can interfere with blood clotting, while others may increase bleeding when taken with anticoagulants (blood thinners).

There are also safety concerns for pregnant women and children.

The bottom line is that herbs aren't safe for everyone. If you're considering trying them out, do your homework. Look up each product's side effects and warnings and read reviews online.

What herb is best for healing?

Herbs are a fantastic way to help heal our bodies. Herbal medicine has been used since ancient times and continues to grow today. There are thousands of herbs known to cure various ailments.

Some herbs are excellent for treating colds and flu, while others can treat anxiety, depression, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

There are also herbal remedies for skin care, hair loss, weight loss, sexual health, energy, sleep, digestion, and much more.

The list goes on and on. But one herb stands above them all regarding its ability to heal. That herb is called aloe vera.

Aloe Vera is considered to be the world's most powerful healer. For centuries it has helped people heal themselves naturally without any side effects.

It's incredible how well aloe vera works. It's even better than prescription drugs and surgery.

In addition to its natural healing properties, aloe vera is highly versatile and can be used in almost any area of life, including food, beauty products, and household cleaning supplies.

You may not realize this, but aloe vera contains hundreds of active compounds, which include vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, sulfur, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, fluoride, iodine, selenium and more.

These nutrients are essential for human body functions such as cell growth, metabolism, immune system support, healthy bones and teeth, healthy blood pressure levels, healthy eyesight, healthy cardiovascular systems, healthy digestive systems, healthy lungs, healthy nervous system, healthy reproductive organs, healthy skin, and healthy libido.

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

What plant helps with infection?

There are plants out there that help fight infections. Some even contain anti-bacterial properties. One of them is mint.

Mint has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections such as cold symptoms and flu. Mint also supports digestion and relieves gas pains. You may find relief with peppermint tea if you have an upset stomach. Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties, which make it effective against germs.

Peppermint tea contains menthol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. These nutrients support healthy immune systems and provide energy to keep your body strong.

You can make peppermint tea at home by adding one teaspoon of dried mint leaves to boiling water. Let steep for five minutes and drink hot three times per day.

Or you can buy peppermint tea bags at any grocery store. Simply add two teaspoons of dried mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink hot three times per day for best results.

How is basil used for medicinal purposes?

In ancient times, doctors would prescribe basil leaves to treat colds and coughs. Today, basil contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, gout, hay fever, indigestion, migraines, menstrual cramps, sinus infections, sore throats, ulcers, varicose veins, and more.

Basil is also known for its ability to help protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, skin conditions, and even aging.

Basil is often referred to as "the herb of grace" because it helps us relax and unwind after stressful situations. It is also said to improve memory and concentration, boost energy levels, increase libido, and enhance athletic performance.

The list goes on and on. Basil is a versatile plant that offers a wide range of benefits for our health and well-being.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.
For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (72Trusted Source73Trusted (healthline.com)

External Links

How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.