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Heartburn, stomach pain, flatulence? Then the stomach needs a breather. We will introduce you to easily digestible food and tips on how to prepare it in a way that is easy on the stomach.

There are certain foods that are considered easy to digest and are particularly well tolerated by people with a sensitive, irritated gastrointestinal tract. So if you notice that your stomach is in chaos, give it a rest and eat foods that are gentle on your stomach.

Alleviate indigestion with stomach-friendly food

Sometimes we put a lot on our stomachs: they have to deal with greasy fries, hot curries, sweet treats and a glass or two of alcohol. Most of the time he does it with no problem. But he often rebels and reacts after eating these foods with digestive problems such as heartburn, stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. The reason for this can be inflammation, infection or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Then it’s time to relieve the stomach and focus on easily digestible food.

Easily digestible foods: You can access them here

Just as every person is unique, our stomachs and stomach problems are also very individual. That’s why everyone should find out for themselves what is actually good for their stomach. There are foods that are generally considered to be well tolerated and digestible, but exceptions cannot be ruled out. That’s why only one thing helps: try it yourself and listen to your own gut.

Wash and care for sportswear properly for long service life. Because functional textiles ensure that moisture is transported from the skin to the outside and you feel fresh for a long time during endurance sports. Functional clothing also protects your skin from cold, heat, moisture, and light.

Functional clothing is suitable for the gym, jogging in the forest, or skiing in the mountains. However, synthetic fabrics such as polyester, microfiber, and elastane absorb sweat. This makes them smell faster than linen or cotton. In addition, their dirt- and water-repellent impregnation can be impaired by constant washing.

Benefits of outdoor clothing

The functional clothing made of synthetic fibers offers a multitude of advantages. Because they protect against cold and rain and keep you warm. In addition, their breathable properties make them very popular. And for a long time, it has not only been popular with outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Functional clothing can also be found more and more often in professional and everyday life. But what about the professional care and washing of this clothing? We have the most important tips for washing and caring for functional clothing.

Prevent odor formation in sportswear

If you put your clothes in the sports bag after a sweaty run or after the cup game, mold and spores can form in the worst case. And these are difficult to combat. But at best, your clothes will only smell unpleasant. With the following tips, your sportswear will smell clean and fresh again, even after heavy use:

  • Let your clothes dry after training. Preferably in the fresh air before you wash them.
  • Wash sports clothing immediately after training. This way you can avoid unpleasant smells. A mild shower gel or shampoo is sufficient. If they are very dirty or smell bad, you should still wash them properly at home – otherwise, three to four hand washes are sufficient before you wash the clothes in the washing machine.
  • Soak your laundry in warm water with vinegar (4:1 ratio) before washing. This is how you can neutralize the unpleasant smells.

Wash sportswear properly

During training, skin flakes, sebum, sweat, cosmetic residues, or fine dust settle in your functional clothing. This creates unpleasant odors and unhygienic dirt. And these can damage both your skin and the functioning of your sports textiles. It is therefore particularly important that you wash and care for your outdoor and sports clothing regularly. You should note the following:

1) Observe care instructions

Always check the care label of the garment you want to wash first. Because from ski underwear and yoga shirts to training shorts and outdoor jackets, there are countless different types of textiles and properties. So there are also many washing symbols that you should pay attention to. Otherwise sensitive coatings or fibers can be damaged. As a result, the functionality of your clothing suffers.

2) The right wash cycle for functional clothing

First of all, you should clarify whether machine washing or hand washing is recommended. If your clothes are machine washable, choose a gentle cycle at a low temperature. Unless the care label provides specific instructions, the spin cycle should not exceed 800 ppm.

3) Use a gentle detergent

Use an appropriate detergent for sportswear. But you should never use fabric softener to wash your functional clothing. Because this can stick together the fiber structure, which is responsible for the exchange of moisture. Also, note our ideas for making detergent yourself.

4) Wash sportswear separately

If possible, wash your gym clothes separately. This way you avoid lint and other residues of normal laundry on your sportswear. You should also close all pockets and zippers. Otherwise, they could get caught in the fabric and form holes. Check out our other article for more useful laundry tips.

5) Dry functional clothing in the fresh air

Proper drying of laundry is just as important as proper washing. To do this, let your functional clothing dry in the fresh air. You should also protect them from direct sunlight. As this can affect the elastic fibers.

6) Waterproof outdoor and sports clothing

To prevent your garment from letting moisture through from the outside, it is impregnated during manufacture. Weather conditions and regular washing can have a negative impact on this dirt and water-repellent impregnation. That’s why it’s important to impregnate your sportswear yourself from time to time, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Clever tips for washing and caring for down comforters. We will tell you which detergent and which wash cycle you need to clean your feather bed. We also have tips on how to dry the down comforter.

One hears and reads, again and again, that down duvet or down pillows cannot be washed. When washing the down comforter, you often get the problem that the down sticks together. Then they are very difficult to separate from each other and they do not spread evenly. How can this be prevented?

What is down?

Down are the soft and delicate feathers of geese and ducks. Due to their structure, they are good at storing body heat. Therefore, they are an effective insulation material used in sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, and blankets. In addition, they are light, breathable, and durable with good care. However, they can also absorb a lot of moisture. That is why they are often impregnated.

How can I clean my down?

If you have now decided to buy down pillows and down duvets or already have some at home, then you should consider our following tips for down care. Because with the right tip, washing is also possible. You should wash you down pillows once a year and your down comforters at least every two years. Also note the instructions for washing and drying the pillow and duvet.

1) Wash down pillows and down comforters

Here the question often arises: Are down duvets and down pillows washable? And if so how? The answer is yes! You can wash your pillows and duvets. However, there are a few points that need to be considered when washing down comforters. To avoid damaging the down, the down should not be crushed in the machine. The usual washing machines have a capacity of between 5 and 7 kilos. Therefore, you can use it to wash small down comforters, but it could be difficult for larger ones. You should also darn tears and holes before washing the bed linen.

2) Wash down as a delicates or wool wash

You should choose the right washing program for washing the down comforters. The right detergent is also important. If you have a washing machine that can fit a down comforter or pillow, use the delicates or woolens cycle. Also, read our laundry tips.

3) The right detergent for down

Before washing the down comforter, you should choose the right detergent. To keep the feathers supple, you can use an extra detergent for down. Because these are neutral and easy to wash out. Other detergents can remove the oil from the down. As a result, the heat is no longer stored well and the volume is also lost. In contrast, for normal laundry, you can make your own detergent.

4) Wash duvets at 20 or 30 degrees

In no case should the temperature be above 30 degrees? To ensure that the last residue of the detergent is rinsed out, the rinsing process should be long enough after the wash. You might want to turn the washing machine on again and only set it to rinse. Then spin gently, but only use a very low number of revolutions. As a result, the feather bed becomes completely clean. Avoid other common laundry mistakes as well.

5) Always rinse down thoroughly

After the first wash, the white marks are often a problem. Looks like the ceiling wasn’t flushed thoroughly enough. It may be due to the dust that settled on the down during manufacture. That’s why you have to rinse the duvet a few times. Better to have the blanket flushed a few times right away, just to be safe. Also, read our tips on washing and caring for sportswear and functional clothing.

6) Tennis balls loosen the down

Many brands recommend customers use tennis balls when washing down fabrics. They go in the washing machine with the blanket. 3 tennis balls are in the washing machine with a blanket that makes them move. The down is opened up. As a result, sticking is prevented and there is a better effect when rinsing. Also, read tips for washing different jackets.

7) Hand wash down comforter

The question of hand washing or washing machine is often asked. If your washing machine isn’t big enough and you don’t want to clean it, you could wash your down comforter in the bathtub. But this is laborious and not always successful. Because there is a risk that the down will stick together. It is easier with down sleeping bags or down jackets. But if you dare to try, you should also make sure that the temperature is around 30 degrees. Also, use a down detergent and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. In addition, you also have to rinse several times here and only lightly press the down comforter.

8) Dry down pillows and down comforters

To dry down duvets, it is best to simply put them in the dryer. This is set to a low temperature. To prevent the down from clumping, you should also put a few tennis balls in the drum. To dry afterward, place the down comforter or down pillow in a place where it can be dried undisturbed. Also, note our tips for drying laundry properly.

9) Take care of feather beds and down

You should care for down duvets and down pillows regularly so that they remain nice and soft. To do this, regularly shake out and pat out the down duvet when making the bed. Regular airing of the down in the fresh air also ensures natural odor elimination. If with the best will in the world, the down is no longer usable and has become clumped or stinks, you should buy a new down comforter.

A guide to cleaning the kitchen. With many useful tips for easy kitchen cleaning and quick cleaning of the kitchen. Because a frequently used kitchen gets dirty quickly. So use our checklist for clever cleaning with a system.

When the tomato sauce thickens, there are red spatters on the wall. And a leaky yogurt makes a big mess in the fridge? But the most stubborn fat that spreads with the food steam settles in the whole kitchen. What can you do about these impurities?

Kitchen cleaning checklist

If you want to clean your kitchen from front to back, it is worth making a checklist. Otherwise, it can happen that you start somewhere and later have to clean up again at this point. This will make you brush longer than necessary. That’s why we’ve created a step-by-step guide for you. You should also effectively eliminate germs when cleaning. Thus, the cozy family kitchen is clean again.

1) Clean kitchen shelves

First, clear out the kitchen shelves. Then you can wipe the shelves with a damp cloth. You can add some dish soap if you want. If the shelves smell musty, you can use the household remedy vinegar. To do this, mix equal parts vinegar and water. You can then use this to clean your cupboards from the inside. If you find jammed glasses while cleaning, don’t panic! We have collected clever tricks for you to separate wedged glasses.

2) Defrost ice compartments and freezers

Ice compartments or freezers should be defrosted 1-2 times a year. Because a thick layer of ice insulates and the device has to cool more. If you put a pot of hot water in the empty cabinet, defrosting will go faster. If there is no integrated collection container for the resulting condensation, you should put a cleaning rag in it. You can then wring it out over a bucket.

3) Clean the fridge

You should defrost and clean your refrigerator from time to time before it takes on an unpleasant odor. If your fridge already smells bad, there are some home remedies to get rid of the smell in the fridge. For cleaning, take out all moving trays and plates. Then clean them in the sink. Then you can wipe the inside of the fridge with a soft cloth and a vinegar-water mixture. Finally, you can put a coffee pod in the fridge. Because that prevents odor development.

4) Clean work surfaces and kitchen fronts

It is best to wipe up spilled drinks immediately. But in addition to regular wiping, you occasionally need to do a thorough cleaning of worktops and kitchen fronts. With plain dish soap, you’ve been scrubbing for a long time to get rid of the grease. Therefore, you should rather use special kitchen cleaners. You can also use the home remedy washing soda or the tried and tested liquid gall soap. You will also need a rough sponge or brush. You can rub the wiped metal surfaces with half a lemon. Then rinse off the juice with clear water after allowing it to act for a short time. Then fittings and sinks will shine beautifully again.

5) Prevent dirt

When chopping vegetables and fruit, breading schnitzel or fish, etc., you can put old newspapers underneath. Then no dirt gets on the worktop. And you can simply transport the waste along with the newspaper to the organic waste. You should also always have a small broom and a shovel within reach, which are only used on the countertop.

6) Home remedies for cleaning the kitchen

You don’t always need expensive, chemical cleaning agents to clean the kitchen. You can also use tried and tested home remedies. Because these are often just as effective. In addition, they are usually readily available and cheap.

Clean the kitchen with baking soda

Using baking soda is good for any cleaning job. You can use it to unclog clogged drains. You can also use it to remove grease stains from surfaces and burnt food in pans and pots.

You can find out how to counteract the development of verdigris in different materials and how to remove verdigris in our helpful guide. Whether it’s a wooden bench or copper coins – with our housewife’s tips against verdigris, you will no longer get verdigris in your house. And: Is verdigris poisonous?

Even if verdigris lends the right mystical flair to many a setting, it is generally not welcomed in the home. Verdigris is actually small crystals that form from a copper salt of acetic acid due to weather influences and lead to a green to blue-green discoloration of an object. They are therefore small color pigments.

What exactly is verdigris?

When we talk about verdigris in everyday life, we mean two things: On the one hand, we speak of verdigris when copper or brass objects turn a green-blue color. On the other hand, we also speak of verdigris when it is actually green growth on stones, wood, plastic, or other materials. Green growth is usually organic material such as moss, lichen, and algae, while the discoloration that occurs in copper and brass objects takes place in the copper or brass itself. Both types of verdigris infestation require different strategies to control and get rid of them. You can find out how here.

Removing verdigris from copper and brass

Verdigris infestation is most common on copper and brass items, such as coins and ornaments. Various home remedies will help you to remove the verdigris and restore the affected piece to its former glory.

1) Cleaning in a vinegar bath

Cleaning small objects is relatively easy: a bath in vinegar water helps here. Simply mix enough vinegar in a bowl and let the items be cleaned and soak for a few hours. The objects must then be rinsed off with clear water and they will shine in their old glory. Stubborn spots can be treated with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.

2) Polish with vinegar

For extra polish, simply rub the object with a soft cloth that has also been moistened with the universal household remedy vinegar and place it in the sun. The vinegar has an effect on the copper and brass structure and the verdigris cannot spread again so quickly. You can bring new splendor to your home easily, quickly, and without much effort and banish the verdigris from your four walls.

3) Mixture of salt and ammonia

No vinegar on hand? Salt and ammonia solutions will also help. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 125 ml ammonia solution and rub the object to be cleaned with the mixture. Then you should leave it on for about an hour. Then simply rub off the solution with a soft cloth and copper and brass will shine like new again. Please also note our general tips on how to clean and care for the copper.

4) flour, salt, and alcohol

But what if the objects to be cleaned are built-in cranes or fittings? Then a paste of flour, salt, and alcohol will help. To do this, fill a coffee cup with 2 tablespoons of flour, 3 pinches of salt, and some alcohol. The paste has to be thick and sticky so that it sticks to the appropriate parts of the object… even in hard-to-reach places. The longer the porridge can work, the better the result will be. You can then rinse off the paste with clear water and polish the area with a dry cloth. Also, note our tips for cleaning awnings.

5) Softsoap and lye solution

Here we recommend a soft soap or lye solution to treat the area affected by verdigris. You can simply wet the object generously with the solution, an old kitchen sponge is suitable for this. After a few days, you will notice a change in the wood, and the verdigris will recede or fall off. If necessary, you can repeat the process.

6) High pressure against verdigris

If the verdigris infestation is already more advanced, reaching for the high-pressure cleaner will help. Such a device can be rented for a day from any standard hardware store. Or maybe you share a high-pressure cleaner with your neighbor? Since the high-pressure cleaner involves a large amount of water, it is best to take this measure on a warm, sunny day so that the furniture and other affected objects can then dry thoroughly. Subsequent wood care is also advisable.

An overview of tips and ideas for protecting your smartphone. Cell phone protection is an important yet problematic issue for every cell phone user. Here you will find suggestions for protecting your cell phone and restoring data.

For most people, mobile phones or smartphones are simply a matter of course in everyday life. It should always be ready to hand and immediately usable. We have collected tips and tricks for you so that you can optimally protect your smartphone from damage, such as scratches and viruses. We’ll also show you how to back up and restore your data.

The special valuable needs to be properly protected

Smartphones differ in function, design, and also from the price of the cell phone. Precisely because a mobile phone is already of significant value, many are keen to protect it from damage. How quickly does your cell phone fall on the hard floor or do you hit something with it? Many would also like to avoid the unsightly scratches on the display alone. If you want to treat your cell phone properly, you should consider the following, for example:

1) Tempered glass film against scratches and cracks

The display is very important and very delicate, so you should handle it very carefully to avoid damage. A tempered glass film is, therefore, a good choice to protect against scratches and other blemishes, as well as cracks. Tempered glass films are available for every smartphone. They do not interfere with the use of your cell phone and are therefore practical protection for your display.

2) Covers and foils to protect against damage

Damage such as cracks and scratches can not only occur on the display, which is why you should also protect the back of your smartphone. You can avoid damage with the right mobile phone cases. If it then happens that your mobile phone falls, the back is protected and therefore no damage and further costs can arise. Protective covers for your mobile phone are available in different colors and variations. Also, note how you can use key covers to better tell your keys apart.

3) Popsocket for better grip

A pop socket gives you a better grip on your phone. Popsockets are also available in many different shapes, colors, and variations, so you have a free choice. You can also fold up your Popsocket when you don’t need it or want to put your phone away. You can also use them for other purposes, for example, if you want to set up your smartphone.

4) Back up data regularly

It is very important to back up data regularly. Your cell phone can break at any time, even without external impairments. Everyone does not want to lose their data after a sudden cell phone failure. Contacts in particular play an important role here. You can secure this with the help of a Google account, for example. Certain apps also allow this. With Apple devices, this is easier. Here you can simply save all your data in the cloud.

5) Recover phone data

If your phone has been stolen or has given up the ghost, you can now get your contacts back using your Google account on your new smartphone. If you have sent your cell phone for repair and they have to do a hard reset and thus reset all data, the apps would also be a solution to recover the data. With an Apple device, you can now simply log into your cloud and have all the data there. Here is a complete cell phone data recovery checklist.

6) Protection against viruses

In addition to protecting the smartphone with a protective cover or bulletproof glass, you should also be careful not to get any viruses on your cell phone. There are various free apps that will help you with this protection. Good cell phone antivirus will secure and give you warnings. So you should definitely get a virus scanner to protect your cell phone optimally.

7) Avoid heat and sun as much as possible

Temperatures in the vehicle quickly rise to over 50 degrees. You should therefore always protect your mobile phone, smartphone, and tablet from direct sunlight. For example, you can leave your cell phone or smartphone in your pocket on the beach or at the outdoor pool, or at least cover it with a towel. The mobile phone should not be left in the car for long if it is very warm outside.

8) Watch out for your cell phone

For the best security, you should not drop your smartphone and be careful. You should also always keep an eye on your cell phone so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands or you don’t find it again. You should also be careful not to put your cell phone in your jacket or trouser pocket with a key or other hard, sharp, and pointed objects, otherwise cracks and scratches can appear on the unprotected display.

Porridge is healthy, tasty and nutritious. Here you can find out what makes oatmeal so good for your health and why you should eat it more often for breakfast.

Porridge is healthy: Oatmeal as a new food trend

In recent years, porridge has shed its dusty image and developed into a real food trend. Oatmeal is nothing new, though. Porridge was already widespread in the past as a cheap and filling breakfast, especially among the poor. Today, porridge is more popular than ever – rightly so, because porridge is extremely healthy and nutritious. Oatmeal provides us with important nutrients and provides a lot of energy for the day. Here you will find eight good reasons why porridge should be on your breakfast table more often.

1. Porridge fills you up for a long time
2. Porridge promotes digestion
3. Porridge lowers the cholesterol level and protects against civilization diseases
4. Porridge provides us with healthy proteins
5. Porridge contains important vitamins and minerals
6. Porridge provides healthy fatty acids
7. Porridge is naturally gluten-free
8. Porridge is variable, tasty and cheap

The orange mocca, such as the mocha in general, is popular, especially in Turkey and in the Middle East. The combination of sweet and acid fruit and mild coffee ensures an exotic taste experience.

ingredients

100 g of cream, 1 orange, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of mild coffee powder, 100 ml orange liqueur

preparation

Step: Beat the cream in half -fast. Rub orange bowl and mix with the cream. Squeeze orange.
Step: Pour coffee powder with 1/4 l of boiling water. Add the orange juice, sugar and orange liqueur and bring it to a boil again.
Step: Spread coffee in the glasses. Place the orange cream as a hood and serve.

Coffee is one of the most popular hot drinks worldwide and has been enjoying increasing popularity for centuries.

The origin of the coffee is very different depending on the variety. Nowadays it is produced worldwide and new growing areas are being created every day.

The enjoyable guardian convinces with a very individual taste and is available in many varieties. Even if it is an integral part of everyday life for many, most of them hardly know exactly where the growing areas of coffee are. Therefore, we go on a journey through the most popular coffee cultivation areas and also take a closer look at the two main varieties Robusta and Arabica.

The growing areas of coffee extend over the entire globe. The coffee beans we use come from the coffee plant. This is one of the rather sensitive plants and only thrives under optimal climatic conditions. Countries that are near the equator are preferably suitable for this. Together these areas result in a so -called coffee belt. The predominantly tropical and moist growing areas enable the coffee plants to grow excellent and a quick heyday. The two economically represented coffee types are the Coffea Arabica (Arabica) and the Coffea Canhora (Robusta). Arabica takes up the largest proportion of the growing areas with around 75 % and is the most popular worldwide among all coffee drinkers. But other coffee plants such as the Coffea Liberica, Coffea Stenophylla, Coffea Congensis and many more can be found in the vastness of the growing areas. Well -known places where coffee plants are bred are Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua or Sumatra.

These are the most important production countries

The largest production countries of coffee are near the equator and together form the so -called coffee belt. Expressed, the areas of Central and South America, Africa and parts of Asia’s crucial cultivation areas are primarily to be put. The largest production countries form Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Vietnam, Thailand, Angola, Congo, Liberia, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Zambia and many more. In all places there are more or less optimal conditions for a coffee harvest. A billion -dollar industry has developed around the coffee today. The production countries increase their growing potential every day and thus meet the increasing demand for coffee. However, the individual growing areas do not all produce the same coffee. There are significant differences between quantity, cultivation and taste. On the one hand, this is due to the respective climatic conditions, and on the other hand also due to the differentiated cultivation methods. A Arabica coffee bean, which comes from Africa, therefore tastes very different from an Arabica coffee bean, which comes from Asia, for example. The variety of coffee is sometimes a reason for its popularity and offers every coffee drinker daily variety and aromatic wealth. Below we list the most important growing areas of coffee and discover their special features.

Coffee growing areas in North and Central America

In North and Central America, Nicaragua in particular stands out as a coffee growing area. In the El Salvador and Santo Domingo regions there are numerous plantations that extend over miles and accommodate a wide variety of coffee plants. Many people in these areas live exclusively from coffee cultivation. The valuable coffee beans are shipped all over the world after harvesting. Another special cultivation area is Jamaica. Here the famous “Blue Mountain coffee” is bred. For this reason, the Blue Mountains from Jamaica are covered with large -scale coffee plantations. However, the excellent type of coffee has its price and has just under $ 120 per kilogram. Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most expensive varieties in the world. Tourists from all over the world visit the growing areas to take smaller quantities with you and try out the delicious coffee.

The state of Mexico is located in North America and parts of Central America. Here too, coffee is grown on large plantations. There are around 400 million coffee trees in one of the most important growing areas, Soconusco. This tremendous amount is expanded by other growing areas across the country. As a result, Mexico rises in the top ranks of the largest production countries. With the “Ruta del Café”, even a separate coffee road was established, with which the tourist value of the coffee -shaped landscape is to be increased. In addition to Mexico, growing areas from Costa Rica, Hawaii and Guatemala can also convince with tasty and famous types of coffee. Costa Rica scores particularly with aromatic, full -bodied flavors and intensely fragrant coffee. Hawaii is ideal for the coffee harvest, as optimal climatic conditions prevail here. The coffee beans from there have a mostly mild and nutty aroma. Finally, the most populous state of Central America is on the plan: Guatemala. The country has always been one of the most important production countries for coffee and produces coffee beans with an aromatic and spicy note. With altitudes around 2,000 meters and extremely fertile, volcanic nutrients, coffee trees grow particularly quickly here. This leads to high quality and first -class diversity.

Coffee growing areas in South America

South America is the continent with the strongest production countries for coffee. The two strongest countries are Colombia and Brazil. The coffee plant has developed into a real economic miracle and gives the population in addition to many jobs, but also new cultural diversity. The climate in the warm areas is constant all year round and provides the coffee harvested optimal conditions for high -quality cultivation. The ARABICA and Robusta coffee varieties are particularly well represented here and are distributed all over the world by central trading points. Dozens of tons of coffee from South America also arrive every day in Europe. In addition to Brazil and Colombia, places such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and the Galapagos Islands also play an important role. Each location convinces with individual advantages and a large variety of varieties.

Brazil produces around 34 % of the world’s total coffee requirement and is therefore considered a real heavyweight among production countries. The growing areas of coffee extends across the country and are largely responsible for economic success. With almost 287,000 farms on approx. 2,402,933 hectares on which coffee is grown, Brazil leaves all colleagues far behind. A single farm can be up to 25,000 hectares. The cultivation areas deliver around 45 million sacks with coffee beans every year, with each sack weighing about 60 kilograms. With 80% harvest content, Arabica beans are mainly bred. The remaining 20% ​​are robusta beans. The success of the coffee in Brazil is not only in sales alone. The Brazilians use a fifth of their harvested beans for their own use. Coffee has developed into a true culture in Brazil. In private and business areas, it is a good tone to offer your guest a coffee. A whole third of the exported raw coffee also goes to Germany and thus ends up directly on our domestic tables.

Behind Brazil and Vietnam, Colombia is the third largest coffee exporter worldwide in the list of the largest production countries. Coffee has traditionally been grown here for almost 300 years. More than half a million Colombian live from the industry and thus represent a driving force of the local economy. Even though Colombia had recorded a declining production in recent years and has even been replaced by Vietnam to third place, coffee plays one Important role for the people living there and the entire nation. Coffee is considered a cultural drink in Colombia and sometimes shapes society. The coffee farmers attach great importance to the quality of their coffee beans and breeds only the best standards. The country’s biologically high -quality cultivation distinguishes the country from many other production countries and makes “coffee made in Colombia” a strong branded product.

Incidentally, particularly popular coffee also comes from the Dominican Republic. With this country, people associate sun, palm trees, beach and sea – the perfect Caribbean goal for an exuberant vacation. However, coffee is also grown here in large masses. There are almost 50,000 smaller coffee producers, which are scattered across the entire country. Because of the high temperatures in the north (30 degrees Celsius on average), the profitable growing areas are largely in the somewhat cooler south. Almost all production facilities specialize in the cultivation of Arabica coffee beyond this.

Sticky rice, also known as sticky rice, is a Thai specialty. In the national cuisine, it is used either as a side dish or as the basis for more elaborate dishes. We will introduce you to the type of rice and show you a simple basic recipe.

Sticky rice is a type of rice that is mainly found in Thailand, but also in other Asian countries. It has thick, bulbous grains that resemble jasmine rice. While uncooked jasmine rice appears slightly translucent, glutinous rice – or sticky rice – is white. This is due to its high starch content.

Another difference lies in the way it is prepared: sticky rice is not boiled but steamed. As a result, the individual rice grains stick together and the sticky rice gets the typical consistency for which it is named. According to Thai tradition, a special bamboo basket (for example via** Avocadostore) is used for steaming. A steamer or a large saucepan serves the same purpose.

You can get sticky rice in Asian shops or in well-stocked supermarkets. Some manufacturers also offer sticky rice in organic quality. If you have the choice, you should opt for the organic version – this way you support sustainable cultivation conditions and avoid rice that is contaminated with chemical-synthetic pesticides. Ideally, the sticky rice should also have a Fairtrade seal: Then you can be sure that it comes from fair trade.

The nutritional values of sticky rice

Cooked sticky rice contains about 150 calories per 100 grams. Uncooked, it usually contains between 330 and 350 kilocalories per 100 grams. Uncooked sticky rice has the following additional nutritional values:

Protein: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 77 g
Fat: 0.8g
Sugar: 0 grams.

Like all types of rice, sticky rice is low in fat and cholesterol and rich in minerals. On the other hand, it contains less fiber than, for example, whole grain rice.

Sticky Rice: Simple basic recipe

Because glutinous rice needs to be steamed, the best way to cook it is in a special steamer. If you don’t have one, a simple saucepan and sieve will suffice. Make sure that the sieve can be hung in the saucepan.

Ingredients:

250 g sticky rice
water

Directions:

Wash the glutinous rice in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Then put it in a bowl of cold water and stir well. Let the sticky rice sit in the water for at least three hours. If you want, you can put it in the night before and leave it overnight.
Pour the glutinous rice into a colander and rinse thoroughly.
If you are using a steamer for the preparation, line the steamer insert with a damp kitchen towel and put the sticky rice in it. Fill the pot with one liter of water and insert the insert. Then fold the kitchen towel over the rice and put the lid on. Let the rice steam over medium heat for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a large saucepan. Fill it with about a liter of water and place the sieve on the edge of the pot. Line the sieve with a kitchen towel, add the glutinous rice and fold the towel over the rice. Then put the lid on the pot. Make sure to keep the gap between the sieve and the lid as small as possible so that not too much steam can escape.
Steam the glutinous rice with the lid on and over medium heat for about half an hour. Then remove the pot from the stove. Caution: If some steam escapes despite the lid being on, be careful not to burn yourself.
Let the finished glutinous rice cool down a bit before you serve it as a side dish or process it further.

This is how you can process sticky rice

You can either serve the finished sticky rice as an accompaniment to other dishes or process it further. A classic Thai recipe is sticky rice with coconut milk and mango. To do this, boil 400 milliliters of coconut milk together with 50 grams of sugar and some salt and mix them with the finished rice. The dish is garnished with fresh mango slices.

However, both mangoes and coconut milk have a bad ecological balance because they cannot be cultivated regionally and have to be imported over long distances. You should therefore only use both occasionally when cooking. If you want to do without coconut milk, you can use regional organic cream or oat cream instead – this also makes the sticky rice nice and creamy. As an alternative to mangoes, you can try peaches or apricots, for example. You can get both from German cultivation during the season. You can find out which types of fruit are in season at what time of year in the Utopia seasonal calendar.