At Belovedsaffron.com, we're passionate about flavours, cultures and cooking wisdom from around the world. We seek to bring you closer to sustainable ingredients sourced from farmers and producers dedicated to preserving culture and tradition. Our mission is to provide everyone with access to remarkable spices, herbs, recipes and organic food that embraces culinary diversity.
Saffron is particularly special for us; its magical scent along with its unique flavour inspires us each day and reveals a world of possibility in the kitchen.
We invite all brave souls who are keen to share their culinary secrets! If you have something delicious on your mind, don't hesitate to share it at [email protected] Let's show our appreciation for all those incredible cultures who dedicate their time and effort towards tantalising taste buds!
For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...
Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe
Written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma
Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor
–
Fire Cider Benefits
One of my favorite ways to use hibiscus (oh, count the ways!) is in fire cider. Fire cider is basically a spicy herbal vinegar, often sweetened with a little honey. It’s taken by the dropperful or spoonful, depending on the cider’s strength and imbiber’s palette.
Fire cider helps to clear out the sinuses and wake up the immune and circulatory systems. It can be taken to ward off a cold or other respiratory infection. Those with poor circulation can ingest fire cider tonically. The recipe I share below is especially beneficial for high blood pressure and atherosclerosis due to the bioflavonoids in the hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and pomegranate (Punica granatum), along with the medicinal attributes of garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale).
As you may imagine, fire cider can potentially aggravate heartburn, peptic ulcers, and gastrointestinal inflammation. In addition, it will be too heating on a long-term basis for those with fiery constitutions (Pitta).
Hibiscus Pomegranate “Cheater” Fire Cider Recipe
This is my household’s go-to fire cider recipe. Milder and sweeter than other fire cider recipes, hibiscus pomegranate fire cider makes a great gift for the herbally uninitiated. I promise, I won’t tell if your fire cider finds its way into the loving embrace of bubbles and gin. However, I most certainly wouldn’t condone, under any circumstances, the mixing of fire cider with tequila and pomegranate juice, served in a martini glass with a salted rim.
–
–
Why is it “cheater” fire cider?
Typically, fire cider is made by placing the ingredients in a glass jar and letting them sit for a moon’s passing or for six weeks. This recipe, on the other hand, is a one-day affair.
If you happen to have more time, and want to maximize your ingredients and make a stronger cider, you can complete Step 1, adding the hibiscus, and let the slurry sit for a month. The juicy pomegranate-orange mixture can be added right before straining; after a month, you can finish the recipe below, skipping the heating part.
This recipe makes eight to nine bottles (8 ounces) and should be refrigerated for longer-term storage. If you are making the recipe just for yourself, I recommend making a fourth of all the ingredients (yielding about 16 ounces of fire cider, or a pint). It may keep unrefrigerated for a short period, but the extra liquid from the pomegranate and oranges may dilute the vinegar enough to allow microbial growth.
–
–
Ingredients
64 ounces (1.89 liters) of apple cider vinegar
10 ounces (300 ml) honey (use less for a more savory vinegar)
2 medium onions
2 large garlic bulbs
4 ounces, or 113 g, by weight, fresh ginger root (1 cup coarsely chopped 1-inch {2.5 cm} pieces)
2 ounces, or 56 g, by weight, fresh turmeric root (½ cup coarsely chopped 1-inch {2.5 cm} pieces)
5 ounces, or 142 g, by weight, horseradish root (1 ½ cups coarsely chopped 1-inch {2.5 cm} pieces)
2 large pomegranates (plump, succulent, and garnet in color) or 8 ounces (240 ml) pomegranate juice
2 oranges
½ ounce, or 14 g, by weight, dried whole cayenne peppers (about ¾ cup) or 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) dried cayenne powder
1.25 ounce, or 35 g, by weight, dried hibiscus flowers (cut and sifted), approximately ¾ cup
Yield: 70 Ounces (2 liters)
Peel the garlic, and coarsely chop the onions, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric. Place them in a food processor or blender, along with the cayenne peppers. Add enough apple cider vinegar to cover. I prefer a glass blender if it is available. Work in two batches. Blend carefully with the lid on and take care not to let fumes or slurry get in your eyes.
Place the slurried spiciness from both batches into a double boiler. Don’t have one? Nest a smaller pot inside a bigger pot or saucepan and use a couple of upside-down mason jar rings to keep the inside pot off the bottom of the outer one. Add a little water to the outside pot and voilà—double boiler! Add the rest of the apple cider vinegar to the slurry and keep the heat on low, with the lid on! Let the mixture heat on low; don’t let it get above 120°F (49°C) for three hours, stirring occasionally. Again, be careful with the fumes!!!!
Meanwhile, back at the bat cave, peel your oranges and deseed the pomegranates, sneaking off a nibble or two. Put on an old apron and mash the pomegranates and oranges with a potato masher in the sink.
After a couple of hours, taste the slurry. If it’s too mild for your fire cider pleasure, this is your chance to add more of the spicy herbs and cook for one more hour. After three hours of total cooking time, turn off the heat, and add the hibiscus and the juicy pomegranate/orange mixture. Let sit for one hour and check the color—if it’s too light, add more hibiscus. When the cider is a beautiful red hue, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or potato ricer. You’ll need to squeeze out or press the slurry, or you will lose a great deal of the medicine. (Don’t use your bare hands to squeeze out the cider or you’ll burn/irritate your skin.) Add the honey and mix well, making sure all the honey is dissolved.
Place in sterilized, clear-glass jars, label, and refrigerate. Dosage is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) as needed.–
–
Note: This cider should be refrigerated for longer-term storage. It should keep for one year refrigerated—check for signs of spoilage, such as mold or off-smells. It may keep unrefrigerated for a short period (up to a few weeks), but the extra liquid from the pomegranate and oranges can dilute the vinegar enough to allow microbial growth. If you are making the recipe just for yourself, I recommend using a fourth of all the ingredients (yielding about 16 ounces [480 ml] of fire cider, or 1 pint).
–
Left: Blending the cider ingredients; Right: Large homemade double boiler
Straining the hibiscus fire cider
Left: Straining with a ceramic coffee strainer and straining cloth; Right: Adding the honey to the strained cider
–
Fire Cider Recipe Extravaganza
A few decades ago, beloved American herbalist Rosemary Gladstar came up with the name fire cider and subsequently shared her recipe with students over the years, many of whom developed and sold their own version. Recently, the term fire cider became the subject of a contentious debate, as one herbal company (without regard to Rosemary Gladstar’s wishes) was able to obtain a trademark for the name fire cider. Thankfully the trademark has been revoked, and we can all legally use this classic herbal term once more!
Want Rosemary’s favorite fire cider recipes? She’s just published Fire Cider!, a book of 101 zesty recipes from her own kitchen and beyond. A number of culinary herbal virtuosos are featured in the book, including your truly. For your own copy, we recommend buying directly from Rosemary herself. You can do so here.
More excited about recipes you can click on right now? Here are some of our spiciest picks:
Rosemary Gladstar’s Basic Fire Cider Recipe via YouTube
Mahmoud, B. M., Ali, H. M., Homeida, M. M., and Bennett, J. L. “Significant Reduction in Chloroquine Bioavailability following Coadministration with the Sudanese Beverages Aradaib, Karkadi and Lemon.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 33, no. 5 (1994): 1005–1009
Meet Our Contributors:
JULIET BLANKESPOOR is the founder, primary instructor, and Creative Director of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, an online school serving thousands of students from around the globe. She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation. Juliet’s lifelong captivation with medicinal weeds and herb gardening has birthed many botanical enterprises over the decades, including an herbal nursery and a farm-to-apothecary herbal products business.
These days, she channels her botanical obsession through her writing and photography in her online programs, on her personal blog Castanea, and in her new book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies. Juliet and her family reside in a home overrun with houseplants and books in Asheville, North Carolina.
MEGHAN GEMMA is one of the Chestnut School’s primary instructors through her written lessons, and is the principal pollinator of the school’s social media community—sharing herbal and wild foods wisdom from the flowery heart of the school to an ever-wider field of herbalists, gardeners, healers, and plant lovers.
She has been in a steady relationship with the Chestnut School since 2010—as an intern and manager at the Chestnut Herb Nursery; as a plant-smitten student “back in the day” when the school’s programs were taught in the field; and later as a part the school’s woman-powered professional team. Meghan lives in the Ivy Creek watershed, just north of Asheville, North Carolina.
Learn more about cultivation, identification, and uses for medicinal herbs in our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program, which is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course out there.
–
–
The post Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe appeared first on Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Use Herbs and Spices for Brain Health?
Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to improve brain health. Research shows that these natural remedies may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's. Some herbs may even boost memory.
However, no scientific evidence proves that eating an herb-rich diet can keep your mind sharp. When it comes to improving cognitive function, there are more effective ways to do it.
One study found that older adults who took 1000 mg of vitamin B6 daily had fewer mental lapses than those taking placebo pills. Another study showed that drinking coffee could increase blood flow to the brain. Other studies suggest that exercise, socialization, and sleep improve brain health.
The bottom line is that herbs and spices probably won't make much difference to your overall health. But they might give you extra energy and focus, which can come in handy during the day.
How to make herbal remedies at home?
Making herbal remedies at home is easy. All you need is fresh herbs, water, salt, and sugar. You can use any herb, depending on what you want to create.
For example, choose mint, basil, chamomile, or lemon balm to make a soothing tea. If you want to make a cooling drink, try rosemary, thyme, lavender, or eucalyptus.
All you need to do is put all the ingredients into a pot and boil them until they become soft. Strain out the herbs and serve hot.
Add honey to the boiling mixture to make a tonic drink. Honey is a preservative and will keep your herbal remedy fresh for longer.
You can also combine two or three herbs to make a more potent brew. For instance, you could mix equal parts of garlic and ginger to make a powerful antiseptic. Or you can combine equal amounts of turmeric and ginger to make a potent immune booster.
Soak a clean cloth in warm water and place it over the affected area to make a compress. Leave it for 10 minutes before removing it. Do this every day until the swelling goes down.
Make sure you consult your doctor first before using herbal remedies. Some plants may interact negatively with other medications. Also, don't take large quantities of herbs because they can cause side effects.
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.
How do you make medicinal herbs?
There are many different methods to make herbs into medicinal products. The most common method is to dry the herbs in a warm, dark location before grinding them into a powder or extracting their essential oils. This can be accomplished by hanging herbs upside down in bunches, laying herbs on a drying screen, or using a food dehydrator.
Once dried and ground, herbs can be stored in airtight containers for future use. Other herbs may require special preparation, such as infusing herbs into oil or vinegar, making tinctures with alcohol, or distilling herbs to create essential oils.
Learning the correct techniques for preparing herbs can help ensure that they retain their medicinal properties and potency for optimal health benefits. Using fresh herbs is usually best, but herbs can also be grown in a pot or garden and harvested when they are mature. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, online retailers, and specialty shops.
No matter where herbs come from, the preparation techniques remain the same; drying herbs in a warm location followed by grinding or extracting the essential oils. You can make your medicinal herbs with the right herbs and preparation techniques.
When making herbal preparations, it is essential to remember that herbs can vary in potency, so always dilute herbs before use or follow the directions on any product label. Additionally, herbs are best used fresh, as many of their beneficial components degrade over time.
Following safety guidelines and paying attention to the potency of herbs can help ensure that you get the most benefit from your herbs. With a bit of practice and preparation, anyone can make therapeutic herbs with medicinal properties. Remember that herbs should never replace any medical advice or treatments prescribed by a doctor. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally.
What is the difference between herbs and spices?
Herbs are used for cooking, and spices are used for seasoning.
Herbs have more intense flavors and can be used to cook dishes, while spices can bring out the flavor of foods without altering the taste.
Spices can also be added to food during preparation, such as curry. Spices may be bought individually, or whole packages may be purchased. There are many spices, including black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, salt, thyme, turmeric, vanilla extract, etc.
The best way to ensure that you are selecting the right spice for your dish is to read the label carefully. If there is an ingredient list, look for "spice" among the ingredients. A common mistake cooks make is buying too much of a particular spice because they do not realize how little they need.
There are a few basic rules to follow when choosing which herb or spice to use. For example, most herbs are fresh, whereas spices tend to last longer. Also, herbs are generally found in small quantities, while spices come in larger containers. Finally, most herbs are usually sold loose (or ground), while spices are packaged in jars or cans.
As long as you are careful to select the correct herbs or spices, you will find that adding them to recipes makes preparing meals easier. After all, spices add flavor to various dishes, while herbs can help improve the appearance and aroma of food.
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.
Which spices from the kitchen are used to cure diseases?
There are more than 4000 medicinal plants that are widely distributed throughout the world. Some of these plants contain active compounds that may help treat various ailments.
In India alone, there are more than 1000 species of herbs that are used for medical purposes. This includes Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Siddha medicine, Homeopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine.
The most common ingredient found in these medicines is ginger. Ginger contains volatile oils that give it its aromatic flavor. These oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that make them useful against arthritis, fever, vomiting, and indigestion.
Ginger also helps relieve nausea and stomach cramps caused due to pregnancy. Pregnant women often consume ginger tea to reduce morning sickness. Ginger is also commonly used for cough and cold relief.
Another spice that is known to have medicinal value is turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. This makes it an effective cancer treatment.
Turmeric is also considered to be very beneficial for joint health. It relieves inflammation and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed to prevent osteoporosis.
Garlic, too, is another herb that is extensively used in traditional medicine. Its healing qualities include treating infections, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes and even reducing cholesterol levels. Garlic oil is also used to treat wounds and insect bites.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic that fights bacteria and viruses. The antibacterial property makes it ideal for treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
It is also helpful in preventing urinary tract infections.
Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cayenne, mustard seeds, fennel, and coriander are also used to treat different illnesses.
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)
Many people think that herbs should only be used under medical supervision because they believe that some herbs are poisonous. However, this is not true.
Many herbs have long histories of safe use. For example, garlic has been used for thousands of years to fight infections. It's also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure.
However, if you're pregnant or nursing, avoid taking certain herbs. You should also avoid them if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to herbs.
You can do several things to ensure you get the best results from your herbs and supplements. First, always read labels before consuming anything containing herbs or spices. Second, take the lowest dose recommended on the label. Third, don't use more than one supplement at any given time. Fourth, talk to your doctor about how to combine specific herbs and supplements. Finally, keep track of your consumption to know whether you need to adjust your dosage.
Lack of sunny garden spots got you down? We've got you covered! Here are 10 vegetables and herbs we've personally vetted will thrive - or at least tolerate - a
Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop:: https://www.therustedgarden.com/
The basics for getting transplant herbs into your containers. It is a
Dr Sebi Methodology to Cleanse (Detox) and Revitalize the Body
Download Dr. Sebi's Nutrition Guide:
http://bit.ly/DrSebiNutritionGuide
Website To Order
Salt Pepper and Herb Topped Chicken Crown
This Chicken crown comes from Aldi and is topped with salt, pepper and herbs, all adding to the flavour of the
Today I want to try a new format and share a magickal profile of an herb - starting with mugwort! Mugwort is a beautiful magickal herb with rich connections to
Dear friends, today we would like to share with you Harvesting and Drying Herbs for Teas and Cooking Easy Spring Dish video, we really hope you enjoy this
The use of herbal medicine has always been there with up to 80% of people worldwide relying on them for some part of primary healthcare.
Dosage, regulations,
These 15 medicinal herbs are easy to grow at home! Join me for an herbal garden tour and learn which medicinal herbs and their uses I'm growing for use all
Learn herbs from respected professional herbalists offering world-class herbalist training. The NEW Professional Herbalist Course includes courses on over 600
Like life, tea is what you make of it and The Cup of Life helps individuals enjoy tea in more than one way. Join me on my tea adventures through my blog!
Join me and my friend and herbalist jim mcdonald as we discuss the benefits of calamus root, including clearing away mental cobwebs and enhancing your focus.
Elderberry syrup is immune enhancing and protective against colds and flu. It’s one of my favorite natural remedies for avoiding or beating the flu. These flu
Feeling anxiety and stress lately? Are you feeling frustrated and wish you could just find a way to relax? Do you find that your heart is usually beating
This tea really works! You can literally feel your sinuses opening up. It’s an immune booster so even if you’re not sick drink this when others around you are
Bitters are a drink you sip before a meal to aid in healthy digestion. Traditional diets contained bitter foods because of their digestive action. The bitter
A tea assessment platform that rates teas based on objective quality markers and a sensory evaluation resulting in a list of the best teas produced each year.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is found growing in the wild in vacant lots and gardens. It’s easy to spot as motherwort grows to a height of 5 feet and has
.png)
