Showing posts with label ginger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ginger. Show all posts

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Festive flavours ... mulled wine


This festive tipple has been around in some form for centuries. A early version appears in 'The Forme of Cury' from the 14th century. It is thought that mulling wine was a way to save wine that was about to spoil.Whoever was drinking it must have been outrageously wealthy as it calls for '..cinnamon, ginger, galangal, cloves, long pepper, nutmeg, marjoram, cardamom ' - ingredients that would have been carried for thousands of miles on the Silk Road.





Mulled wine was very popular in Victorian England and appeared in several of Charles Dickens books. However its appearance in 'A Christmas Carol' that sealed its place as a Christmas tradition.
The Spice Almighty 'Merry Mulled Wine' kit includes all the warming spices cinnamon, cloves and cardamon, to give you plenty of festive cheer.

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Spices for the Common Cold...


Its that time of year again when the body will succumb to the common cold with sneezes and sniffles a plenty. And for centuries spices have been used as natural 'folk' remedies to help ward off some of the effects of cold & flu.



Ayurveda recommends taking cardamom, ginger, black pepper and cinnamon in equal parts as a tea.

Cloves can help respiratory problems associated with coughs and throat infections 

Cardamom tea can be taken as a bed time drink to clear nasal congestion & induces sleep.

Ginger helps fight throat and chest infections with its anti-inflammatory properties.


Fennel is a natural expectorant, and can help clear chest congestion and soothe a persistent cough. 

Turmeric is a natural antibiotic. A pinch of turmeric added to a teaspoon of honey or a cup of hot milk helps to relieve headache, cold and throat infections.



I'm not sure if the above have been scientifically proven to work but its definitely worth a go - mainly as a  warming tea with a dash of honey to sooth the aches.

PS the above images are my own and have not been dragged off an image library or Google