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Professional Training at a Glance

There are a variety of training opportunities available today. But which professional development is the right one for me? Or how can I combine distance learning with my everyday life? There are many questions on the subject. We will help you to get an initial overview of the most common opportunities for further training.

Anyone who thinks of further training usually associates courses lasting several weeks at an adult education center, from a private provider, or further training organized by the company. Either way, the majority think first of the costs and the time that you have to invest – rightly so! In fact, further training is an investment that only pays off afterward.

What further training opportunities are there?

If you have the desire to advance in your professional activity or it is time for a career change, you have various further training options to choose from. Depending on your own situation and motivation, different forms of professional development can be considered and strengthen your self-confidence.

To make your decision easier, we have created an overview for you. You don’t need a car, a ticket, or a particularly large amount of time in a row to get to a certain point in time. A computer with internet access is often sufficient for further training from home! This opens up new opportunities for working people and/or parents.

1) With further training for professional advancement

If you are satisfied with your job and company but would like to advance professionally, further training may be just the right thing for you. You can often take advantage of publicly available educational measures and learn new skills that you need for your job. The focus here is on meeting the ever-growing demands of the job and expanding one’s own skills if necessary. These usually take place over a short period of time.

2) With professional training to success

You can also learn new skills with further training. However, these do not have to be directly related to your current job. By completing further vocational training, you can improve your chances on the job market. A professional reorientation is also possible. There are not only face-to-face training courses but also training opportunities that are characterized by digital learning. Because the necessary presence time is often reduced to a minimum, sometimes even to zero. Also, read helpful tips on finding work and jobs on the internet.

3) Various types of further training at a glance

You can either opt for face-to-face professional training or digitally from home. It is crucial how you can organize your everyday life well and what specific goals you have. As a small overview, we have different forms of further education. It is best to find out which offers are available in your region or online.

4) Find a suitable distance learning course

Distance learning proves that digital further education is possible from home. Because with distance learning, you can acquire a complete bachelor’s or master’s degree from home. And usually, only a few face-to-face appointments are necessary. Due to the digital design, you can learn online with others and participate in lectures. Exams may have to be completed as face-to-face appointments. But some universities are already conducting online exams. And some universities, such as FernUni Hagen, offer exams or presentations thanks to several branch offices in various large cities. So you don’t have to drive that far for a successful further education. If re-learning scares you, read useful tips for effective learning with self-organization.

5) Further training after maternity

Maternity is over and you want to get back to work? Or have you been employed as a housewife for years and now the children are out of the house? In all cases, returning to work without further training can be difficult – the longer ago the professional practice, the more likely it is. Of course, you can also earn money on the Internet, but if you want to get back to work, various funding for further education can be helpful.

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Coffee Types at a Glance: What You Should Pay Attention to When Buying

Whether cappuccino, espresso or americano – coffee is more popular than ever. We give you an overview of the most important types of coffee and show you what is important when buying one.

For many, coffee is the pick-me-up in the morning or the obligatory conclusion to a delicious meal. Coffee is very popular: around 0.4 l of coffee is consumed per person per day. The selection on the coffee shelves in supermarkets is correspondingly large.

We explain to you:
what types of coffee there are and how different types of coffee are made from them
how coffee is grown
what problems there are in the conventional coffee trade and
what you as a consumer should pay attention to when buying coffee.

Overview of the types of coffee: Coffea Arabica at the top

There are over 100 different types of coffee worldwide, which differ in their biological basis.
With a share of around 70% in the global coffee trade, Coffea Arabica is by far the dominant type of coffee. It is characterized by a comparatively low caffeine content and its characteristic aroma. In areas with a tropical climate, Arabica is mostly grown at high altitudes. The largest growing areas are in Brazil, Colombia and Central America.
Compared to Arabica coffee, Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) is significantly more resistant and faster-growing. With a market share of almost 30%, this gives it second place among the most traded types of coffee worldwide. However, it has higher acidity and tastes less aromatic, which is why it is often used for the production of cheap coffee.
Other types of coffee such as Liberica and Maragogype only have a very small market share. The Maragogype bean is particularly low in acid and has a low caffeine content. The Liberica bean, on the other hand, has a tart aroma and a comparatively large amount of caffeine.
Within the different types of coffee, there are a large number of subtypes that differ in their characteristic taste and contribute to coffee diversity.

Type of coffee is not the same type of coffee

But how is it that we basically only have two different types of coffee, but can’t decide on the coffee shelves because of all the different types of coffee? The type of coffee is only the basis of the different types of coffee, the variety of varieties results from different cultivation conditions and manufacturing processes:
The soil and the climate influence the ripening process and thus the taste
After harvesting, there are various methods of separating the coffee beans from the pulp and drying them
Roasting time: espresso beans are roasted much longer than coffee beans
Often certain types of coffee are so-called blends, i.e. a mixture of different types of coffee. The mixture creates new flavors or ensures that certain types of coffee always taste exactly the same.

Is expensive coffee good coffee?

We can answer this question with a conditional “No”, because unfortunately it is not that simple. While high-quality coffee tends to be more expensive than lower-quality coffee, price is not a guarantee of high quality or environmental friendliness.

The coffee variety Kopi Luwak, for example, is relatively expensive, but highly questionable from an environmental point of view. These coffee beans travel through the digestive tract of civets, giving them their characteristic aroma. However, the civets are kept in cages in questionable circumstances and are often fed only coffee beans, leading to severe nutritional deficiencies.

Pure coffees that come from a specific growing area and are not mixed with other beans often have a higher price. As a consumer, you know where your coffee comes from and you usually get high-quality coffee beans.

Risks and problems in conventional coffee cultivation

The cultivation, harvesting and processing of coffee is very labor intensive and expensive. The conventional trade in coffee has some problems:
80% of coffee is produced by small farmers who own less than 10 hectares of land. The small farming families have low harvest yields
About half of the coffee market is dominated by international roasting and trading companies. These determine the price, in which the coffee farmers have no say.
Increasing costs for cultivation and pests, which are increasingly occurring as a result of climate change, pose major problems for coffee farmers.
In addition, coffee is often grown in monocultures, which are treated with pesticides

Less is more – why coffee should be a (rare) luxury food

In view of the high level of coffee consumption, we would like to point out at this point that coffee production uses a lot of water. For the production of 1 cup of coffee 140 liters of water are used (the so-called virtual water). Very large quantities of coffee are traded worldwide, so that 6% of the virtual water traded globally is just coffee. Although coffee is grown in rainy tropical regions, climate change can increasingly lead to droughts, which means that the lack of water has to be compensated for by artificial irrigation. Coffee production is therefore very resource-intensive.

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Home Remedies as Natural Antibiotics at a Glance

Home remedies as natural antibiotics as an alternative to conventional medicine at a glance. This way you avoid the side effects of antibiotic medication. That is why it has proven itself to produce a natural antibiotic itself.

It is beneficial to make your own anti-inflammatory remedies. You can easily make your own antibiotic from good food. How does this work? Benefit from the treasures of our nature.

1. Juice made from fresh ingredients

You can prepare your own individual antibiotic from ingredients of organic quality.

  • Garlic fights viruses and fungi of all kinds. Garlic with onions acts as a “police in the body” and is particularly well suited for maintaining intestinal flora. The spicy mixture prevents all inflammation.
  • The spiciness of ginger and chili strengthens the immune system. Therefore, ginger stimulates circulation. Ginger also kills viruses and can prevent inflammation.
  • Apple cider vinegar helps to better absorb calcium from food. Apple cider vinegar is also effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This makes apple cider vinegar the best ingredient against inflammation of all kinds.
  • Organic honey has an antiseptic effect and fights viruses and fungi in the body. Manuka honey is particularly well known for its enormous healing powers.

You can only see a few of the ingenious ingredients in this recipe, which is a home remedy from natural cuisine that acts as an antibiotic.

All organic ingredients should combine well with apple cider vinegar. Please chop and mix all the ingredients as shown in the video. Leave this mixture in a glass for about two weeks. After an intensive exposure time, drain the porridge in a cloth and collect the liquid. This liquid contains all of nature’s antibiotics in the form of juice.

How do you drink the antiseptic juice?

It is best to drink the drink diluted (about a tablespoon in a glass of water) every morning. The liquid freezes well. This makes it very easy to treat yourself to the natural healing juice when it is medically necessary. It is best to freeze small portions.

The juice can also be consumed daily as a preventive measure, which protects and strengthens your immune system. The best thing about the juice: It will not burden you with any complaints of side effects. Clever and natural – just great!

2. Chamomile as a medicinal plant and natural antibiotic

Chamomile is considered a long-established medicinal plant with tradition. Chamomile tea helps with stomach pains, chamomile paste relieves all kinds of inflammation. Many ointments contain high-dose active ingredients from chamomile. As a result, the medicinal plant, which Hildegard von Bingen valued, is often used in natural medicine for its antibacterial, blood-cleansing effect.

Chamomile flowers not only have an analgesic and calming effect but also have an antiseptic and even blood-cleansing effect. Chamomile relieves the pain of all kinds with no side effects.

As a bath additive, chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, and the plant is often used as an inhalant for colds.

In the case of stubborn inflammation, it is advisable to use high-dose chamomile extract or chamomile oil. Because this tincture with chamomile works wonders for many superficial inflammations.

Find out what helps you. Finding good chamomile oil at home is worth its weight in gold. No household should be without chamomile oil, chamomile paste, and traditional chamomile tea. For injuries and skin infections, creams or tinctures with chamomile will help.

3. Sage as a natural antibiotic

In our nature, there are now more than 900 different species of sage. The vital Chia seeds also come from a sage plant, which you can easily grow yourself in the garden.

Sage is literally bursting with vital substances and vitamins. Therefore, healing essential oils work wonders for inflammation. These oils are responsible for the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of the peculiarly-smelling plant.

Sage tastes and smells unique and is helpful for the healing process, especially with sore throats, sore throats, and all kinds of inflammation in the mouth and throat. The leaves of sage can be collected and dried by yourself. The sage tincture bought in the pharmacy, which can fight inflammations of all kinds, has a more intensive effect. Therefore, sage is mainly used for digestive problems.

4. Aloe vera plant as an all-rounder

Aloe vera gel belongs in every medicine chest. You are certainly familiar with its strengthening effect if you have already treated a sunburn with it. Aloe vera as a gel has a pain-relieving and antibacterial effect on all inflammations that appear to be stubborn. Aloe vera binds moisture and has a strong calming effect. Fungi and viruses of all kinds are no longer proliferated and killed. With every external application, wounds heal faster without any side effects. Aloe vera consumed as a juice is good at helping fight internal inflammation. The syrup or juice has a mild laxative effect. This allows pathogens to be flushed out of the body more quickly.

5. Tea Tree Oil

An exotic but purely herbal antibiotic is tea tree oil, which is easy to store in small bottles. The essential oil is extracted from the well-known Australian tea tree. The oil combats fungal infestation on the skin and has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, even stirred creams often contain extracts of tea tree oil. This medicinal plant helps against small wounds of all kinds. Also psoriasis or acne. Herpes or various eczema can be treated with tea tree oil.

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The 10 Best Diets at a Glance

An overview of the best diets with tests and comparisons. Losing weight isn’t really that difficult, but maintaining it is. There are numerous diets that promise a lot, but the promised success does not always occur.

The best diets

Many diets promise a high weight loss in a very short time, unfortunately the yo-yo effect is often pre-programmed here and the kilos are quickly back on the hips, which is undesirable. So that you don’t fall into the treacherous yo-yo trap, we present the best diets that you can live in the long term. As a result, you can easily maintain your desired weight for years. You should heed effective tips for healthy weight loss instead of experiencing an up and down of your weight.

1) Healthy eating is the best diet

The best and healthiest diet is a balanced diet. So if you change your diet and eat more healthy foods while avoiding most of the unhealthy ones, you will lose weight sustainably. So you need meals that consist of lots of vegetables and fruit. You should also prepare your food fresh and low-fat. It is also important not to add toxins such as caffeine, nicotine or alcohol to the body. With this method, your body’s feelings and complexion will improve within a short time. And once you get used to it, it’s not difficult at all. Sufficient exercise in everyday life is also important.

2) Count points with Weight Watchers

At Weight Watchers, you don’t count calories, you count points. This program is considered a classic among diets. Here you can lose weight in groups or alone. By grouping foods into dots, Weight Watchers simplifies the diet. In addition, the flexible concept can be tailored to personal needs. A balanced and low-calorie mixed diet then ensures continuous and healthy weight loss. Additional tips and recipes are also available here. Then you no longer need to know which foods have how many calories.

3) Lose weight with Volumetrics

Volumetrics is currently very trendy. Because here calorie counting is no longer necessary. Volumetrics is all about grouping foods based on their volume. For example, vegetables and fruit are very rich in water, which means that they are considered very bulky and have few calories. But valuable whole grain products, fish and low-fat dairy products are also very welcome in this diet. On the other hand, you should completely avoid fast food, ready meals and sweets. Or only enjoy them in moderation and rarely. If you stick to these habits, you will easily reach your desired weight.

4) Lose weight with Low Fat 30

With Low Fat 30 you do not pay attention to carbohydrates, but to the intake of fats. Because these are the real fatteners. With Low Fett 30, the fat content is what matters most. So only eat foods with a fat content of no more than 30%. Then the main menu items are vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, fish, meat, and whole-grain products. That’s why Low Fett 30 is very suitable for losing weight and helps you get started with a healthy diet. But in addition to the fat content, you should also pay attention to the quantities. And never do without fats completely, because the body needs a certain proportion of fats. Also, note healthy oils and their positive properties.

5) The pound cured in 10 weeks

In a diet comparison, the pound cure also does well. This lasts 10 weeks and can be done online or in a group. Here the participants get to know all the important aspects of healthy nutrition and change their eating habits over this period of time. If these dietary changes are maintained, the chances of success are very high. In addition, the motivation through the group work is very high and you stay on the ball. Also read tips for losing weight without the yo-yo effect in everyday family life.

6) The nutrition program of the DGE

The in-house weight loss program of the German Society for Nutrition helps to lose weight slowly, but permanently and successfully. I’m losing weight is a 12-week program suitable for people with a BMI of 25-35. The main aspects here are healthy eating habits and more exercise and sport in everyday life. Since the calorie intake is only reduced slowly, you lose weight very slowly, but also effectively and permanently. Also, note 17 psychological tricks for losing weight

7) Simple Organic Eco Diet

The idea behind it is: You only use organic ecological food. Consequently, this means that you automatically do without industrial ready-made sugar or other fattening foods from the food industry. Instead, you absorb more healthy nutrients, feel fitter and lose weight at the same time. In principle, it is a change in diet aimed at eating more valuable fruits and vegetables. It is important to always pay attention to the quality of the products. With meat, for example, it should be ensured that the animal does not eat any genetically modified products. Overall, you can make a contribution to environmental protection with this diet.

8) The Vegan Diet (Thrive)

A vegan diet is healthy as long as it is implemented correctly and all-important nutrients are covered with the food intake. The quality of the products is also a priority. It has been shown that vegan people have a lower risk of common diseases such as diabetes, obesity, or heart disease. Because a vegan diet means more fiber, such as vegetables and fruit on the one hand. And on the other hand, there is the deliberate avoidance of animal foods, which are mostly industrially produced and greasy. A change may seem difficult at first, but once you know what you can eat, you will be surprised at the variety. Therefore, the vegan Thrive diet is very promising and radical. But now there are more and more vegan products and recipes that taste really delicious. So give it a try.

9) The Glycemic Index (GI) Diet

This form of losing weight is probably the most common among celebrities. A famous follower is Sharon Stone. The actress has been on this diet for a long time and can use it to maintain her youthful figure. The GIyx diet goes back to Rick Gallop (Canadian nutritionist). For this purpose, all foods are classified in a traffic light system from red to green. Red food indicates a high GI value, yellow a medium GI value, and green a low GI value. So it’s important to eat more green foods. In addition, fruit, vegetables, and carbohydrates can also be part of the meals. You only have to pay attention to the red area, otherwise, there are hardly any restrictions. Also, note tips for losing weight while cooking and eating.

10) The Acid-Base Diet

This diet is also widespread. For example, actress Kirsten Dunst is one of the representatives. The most important thing is to keep an eye on the pH value of the body. There must always be a balance between acidic and alkaline foods. Acidic foods include fish, meat, and grains. Basic foods are green tea, soy, fruit, and vegetables. There are no exact instructions here. Everyone has to find the right balance for themselves. The only general rule is that the proportion of the base (70%) must be at least twice as high as that of the acid (30%). The results are not only reflected in a slimmer figure, but also in a better complexion. Also, read about effective home remedies for hyperacidity.

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Diabetes Types and Symptoms at a Glance

Unfortunately, diabetes cannot yet be cured according to the current state of science, but everyday life with blood sugar disease can be made easier with valuable tips. Because regular blood sugar measurement and blood sugar control are part of it you have the blood sugar level under control. Therefore, if you have diabetes, heed the following advice.

What is diabetes?

The so-called diabetes mellitus is usually just called diabetes, blood sugar disease or diabetes in colloquial language. This is a serious and often underestimated disease of the metabolism, in which there is a lack of insulin and, as a result, an increase in blood sugar levels. As a result of diabetes, it is important for those affected to regularly check their blood sugar levels by measuring blood sugar levels.

Blood sugar and its functions in the body

Glucose (dextrose) is our body’s fuel: We absorb it through food and the pancreatic hormone insulin transports it from the bloodstream into our cells, where it is converted into energy. In a healthy person, the pancreas produces exactly the amount of insulin needed to break down the current blood sugar. If the cells are already sufficiently supplied with glucose, the messenger ensures that excess sugar is temporarily stored in the liver and released back into the blood when needed. In this way, the blood sugar level normally stays in a constant range. However, in people with diabetes mellitus, the level of sugar in the blood increases. Also, note our article on identifying types of sugar and reducing sugar.

Differences between type I and II diabetes

While type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, as a result of which the body’s immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas and thus prevents insulin production, type 2 diabetes (approx. 85-95% of all those affected) describes insulin resistance. In people with such resistance, the messenger substance can no longer be processed effectively.

Underestimated risk of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is asymptomatic in the early stages, but if not treated properly, it can damage the heart, kidneys, and other important organs. Risk factors include too little exercise, obesity, and a high-carbohydrate diet. The short-term consequences of high blood glucose levels are constant thirst, fatigue, and often rapid weight loss. The long-term consequences of elevated blood sugar levels are in some cases even irreversible and should therefore be prevented by blood sugar monitoring using blood sugar measurement:

  • Damage to the retina is caused by deposits of sugar molecules on the fine capillaries in the eye
  • Kidney weakness is caused by the accumulation of sugar molecules in the kidneys
  • Circulatory disorders due to hardening of the arteries (can even lead to loss of extremities in severe cases)

Tips for everyday life with diabetes

If you or one of your loved ones has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, here are some tips for you on how you can best deal with the disease in stressful everyday life and which are important in addition to regular blood sugar monitoring:

  • Stamina is the be-all and end-all when it comes to blood sugar disease. Old habits usually cannot be changed overnight. Therefore, it is important to slowly but permanently establish good habits.
  • Excuses don’t count with diabetes. Excuses are only doing yourself a disservice. Accordingly, pursue your goals ambitiously and purposefully.
  • Be worth it to yourself. Always remember that your health is at stake. Because it is worth persevering and it provides the necessary motivation.
  • relapse allowed. Of course, you can also treat yourself to something and feast to your heart’s content; but this should be kept within limits and be something special for you. no habit.
  • Eat healthy snacks in case of diabetes. If you like to snack, try to snack healthily. Nuts, fresh fruit, or, even better, vegetables as a snack between meals fill you up and are healthy.
  • Eat slowly. Chewing slowly signals your body that you are already full, even though you haven’t eaten as much as usual. So take your time with your meals and enjoy your food.
  • Drink a lot if you have diabetes. The body often sends out the signal to feel hungry, where a large glass of water will do. So always have water on hand and drink it when you think a snack is in order.
  • Seek support in case of blood sugar disease. Family or friends can help you achieve your goals. Together in a group, it’s even more fun and you’re all doing something good for each other.

Diabetes therapy: why control is important

While type 2 diabetes can often be reversed with the help of a change in diet and regular exercise, and oral antidiabetics or the administration of insulin are only necessary in some cases, people with type 1 diabetes are on artificial insulin intake for the rest of their lives reliant. This is done either with a pen or an insulin pump. If the therapy is carried out conscientiously, those affected are usually spared the long-term damage of an elevated blood sugar level. However, if the insulin doses are calculated carelessly or even forgotten, there is a risk of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Equipment for blood glucose measurement

People who suffer from blood sugar disease are dependent on regular blood sugar measurements. Consequently, you need exactly three utensils for a blood sugar check. They enable you to check your blood sugar levels quickly and thus help to get diabetes under control:

  • 1 blood glucose meter (can be requested free of charge nationwide)
  • matching test strips
  • 1 lancing device
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Types of Cooking and Cooking Methods with Water at a Glance

The water temperature is crucial for the cooking method. You have the choice of boiling, poaching, blanching, steaming, steaming, or vacuum cooking.

When preparing food, it is important that it tastes good, is digestible, looks appetizing, and contains as many vitamins and nutrients as possible. With the right cooking method, you can positively influence the result.

The water temperature has an impact on taste and cooking time

The most common methods of cooking with water are:

  • boiling/simmering
  • Poaching/simmering
  • blanch
  • steaming
  • steaming
  • vacuum cooking

These methods differ in the water temperature and the amount of water required. The hotter the water, the shorter the cooking time. Use the right cooking method so that the vegetables are neither too hard nor too mushy. The meat should not be too dry either.

1) Boiling or simmering

We usually associate two different things with the term cooking. First, we think of the activity of cooking, the whole process of preparing a meal. In the second case, and this is what is meant here, it is about a cooking process in which the water is heated to over 100°C, i.e. it reaches the boiling point. You need to use enough water to completely cover the contents of the pot. Potatoes, pasta, or soups are usually prepared in this way.

2) Poaching, also called simmering

The water temperature when poaching should be around 70-90°C. It is important that the water does not boil. There shouldn’t be any steam either. Leave the food to soak in the hot water until the desired consistency is reached. This gentle method is particularly recommended for foods that break down easily. Examples of this are fish, tender vegetables, or the so-called poached eggs.

3) Blanching

In this process, you first bring the water to a boil and then put the food into the water. After a short time, about 1-3 minutes, take it out and shock it in very cold water. With this method, many nutrients are retained and germs are killed. The vegetables stay crisp and get a strong, bright color. Blanched foods are usually further processed afterward. You can ideally freeze these to cook or fry later.

4) steaming

Here the ingredient is not cooked directly by the boiling water, but by the steam. There are special steam cookers or pressure cookers for this. But you can also use a conventional saucepan for steaming. To do this, hang either a sieve or a special insert in the saucepan. It is important not to touch the water surface. Place the ingredient in the insert and cover the pot with a lid. The ingredient is cooked by the steam generated by the boiling water. This method is considered a particularly gentle process since the nutrients cannot be lost in the water.

5) steaming

Only a little liquid is needed for steaming. You put the vegetables, fish, or meat in the pot and close it with a lid so that the steam does not escape. The temperature should be above 70°C and below 100°C. During heating, additional liquid is extracted from the food. This food’s own juice mixes with the added water. With this method, too, only a few nutrients are released into the cooking water. The remaining liquid at the end of cooking is great for making a sauce.

6) Vacuum Cooking

A vacuum sealer is required for vacuum cooking. You can use it to enclose the food in an airtight plastic bag provided for this purpose. You should season the food beforehand. Place the plastic bag in a pot filled with water and cook the food at a water temperature of around 65-80°C. This method doesn’t work as well for poultry. At the relatively low temperature in the water bath, not all pathogens may die.
During this preparation, the food retains its nutrients and natural taste.

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Kitchen Herbs and Their Special Features: The Most Important Ones at a Glance

Kitchen herbs enrich your dishes and have valuable ingredients. Here you get an overview of different kitchen herbs, their use and cultivation.

Kitchen herbs not only enrich your dishes in terms of taste, they also contain a number of health-promoting substances. These include, among others:
vitamins
minerals
polyphenols
flavonoids
bitter substances
tannins
antioxidants

Growing kitchen herbs at home

You can easily grow most kitchen herbs at home. They require little maintenance and little space.

You should follow these tips to ensure that your kitchen herbs develop well:
Most herbs need a light and warm place. A south-west window sill is well suited for this.
Water your herbs regularly, but in moderation. You should definitely avoid waterlogging.
Your herbs need enough space. Choose the right size pots and plant the herbs in larger pots if necessary.

In order for your herbs to be able to provide you with valuable nutrients, they also need sufficient nutrients. Use organic fertilizer since you want to eat the herbs later, such as nettle manure.
Even if the flowers of most herbs are beautiful to look at, they rob the plant of energy and thus its aroma is lost. Therefore, cut off the flower heads regularly.
Always harvest your herbs fresh when you need them. Dried herbs lose flavor and valuable ingredients, so it’s best to only dry smaller amounts as needed.
If you want to make herbs last longer, for example after pruning, you can freeze herbs. In this way, the ingredients and the taste are preserved as best as possible.

Classic among kitchen herbs

Parsely
Parsley is one of the most popular kitchen herbs in Central Europe. It is rich in vitamin C. Since the valuable vitamin is sensitive to heat, you should only add parsley at the end.

Use in the kitchen:
potato dishes
rice dishes
salads
sauces
dips
Pesto
Cultivation at home:
Parsley is frugal. The biennial plant requires no direct sunlight and only little water.

chives

Use in the kitchen:
egg dishes
salads
Herb quark
Cultivation at home:
Always use fresh seeds for chives, as the seeds quickly lose their ability to germinate
Remove wilted and yellow stems. A regular cut stimulates growth.
You can also use the flowers, for example to garnish salads.

lovage
Lovage is also called maggi herb. This is due to its unmistakable taste, which is immediately reminiscent of soup.

Use in the kitchen:
soups
Pesto
salads
Cultivation at home:
Lovage forms deep roots and therefore needs a large pot. It should be at least 30 centimeters deep.
The plant needs a humic soil because it needs a lot of nutrients.
If the leaves turn yellow, the plant either needs more space or more nutrients.

Mediterranean kitchen herbs

basil
Basil is one of the most popular herbs in Italian cuisine. There it is usually plucked into pieces instead of cut.
Use in the kitchen:
pasta dishes
Pizza
Salads, especially tomato salad or caprese
Basil pesto
Cultivation at home:
The plant needs a lot of heat and therefore usually only survives one season in our latitudes.
In general, basil needs a warm and sunny location.
Basil is very sensitive to fungal diseases. Avoid waterlogging and make sure the plant has enough space.
You can also easily multiply basil.

oregano
Another classic from the Mediterranean cuisine is oregano. Also known as wild marjoram or dost, it is closely related to marjoram.
Use in the kitchen:
pizza seasoning
tomatosoup
salads
pasta dishes
potato dishes
Cultivation at home:
The wild plant is quite easy to care for and frugal. Water them regularly, but not too much.
Wild marjoram reaches a stately size of 30 to 70 centimeters. So you need a big pot.

rosemary
Rosemary also comes from the Mediterranean region. Its unmistakable taste enriches countless dishes. In addition, the essential oils contained have a positive effect on your health. The best way to benefit from this is with rosemary tea or rosemary essential oil.

Use in the kitchen:
Potato dishes such as rosemary potatoes
tomato dishes
rice dishes
rosemary syrup
Cultivation at home:
Rosemary needs calcareous soil and a warm, sunny location.
Since it develops deep roots, a large clay pot is best. The clay avoids waterlogging.
Trim your rosemary regularly to keep it in shape and encourage new growth.
You can multiply rosemary. This works best with cuttings.

Particularly healthy kitchen herbs

Especially in folk medicine, herbs are not only used to flavor food, but rather because of their healing properties. Today, the effect of many herbs has also been scientifically proven. The following herbs are not only a taste enrichment, they also serve as a herbal pharmacy.

thyme
Thyme convinces with its unmistakable aroma. It is ideal as a cold tea. The best way to reap its health benefits is through thyme oil or by making thyme tea. You can also make thyme cough syrup.

Application in the kitchen:
potato dishes
salads
Goat or sheep cheese
barbecue marinades
gravy

sage
Sage is primarily known as a medicinal herb. Many people swear by sage tea for a sore throat. The herb has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

Application in the kitchen:
pasta dishes
sauces
desserts
Sage butter

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Food

Honey Types at a Glance

Honey comes in many varieties and flavors. Find out more here about the most important types of honey at a glance and tips for buying honey.

Honey – what is that anyway?

Honey should not be missing on many breakfast tables. In our shops you will find a large selection of different types and flavors. But how exactly is honey defined?

According to the definition of the honey ordinance of the Deutscher Imkerbund e.V., honey may only be designated as such if it can be proven to be made from nectar collected by bees. For example, if bees are fed with sugar cane juice and the excretion products are then skimmed off, that is not enough for the designation.

The numerous types of honey differ in terms of the botanical area of origin, the reference plants of the nectar or the method of extraction.

Types of honey at a glance

Blossom honey (also: nectar honey)

Blossom honey is a collective term for all types of honey in which bees collect pollen and the sweet nectar from plant blossoms. The term blossom honey does not initially refer to any special type of blossom or type of production.

Forest honey (also: honeydew honey)

Forest honey is a special kind of honey. Here the bees do not collect nectar from the inside of the flowers, but from the excretions of aphids and small insects. They leave behind sugar sap on plant parts: the so-called honeydew. Bees collect honeydew mainly in spruce forests. Forest honey has a spicy, aromatic taste and is dark brown in colour.

A special and rare forest honey is fir honey, which can only be obtained in fir forests.

Linden honey

Linden honey consists of nectar collected from linden blossoms and often also contains a proportion of honeydew from linden trees. Linden honey contains essential oils from the linden tree, which is why it is said to have healing properties. It tastes fruity with a slight menthol note.

Lime blossom honey

In contrast to linden honey, linden blossom honey does not contain any honeydew, it is obtained exclusively from the nectar of the linden blossoms. Linden blossom honey is a type of honey and is almost whitish in colour.

Acacia honey

Real acacia honey comes from the acacia trees of southern countries with a subtropical climate. It is mild, clear and ideal for sweetening tea or desserts.

Officially, robinia honey can also be declared as acacia honey, although this is not biologically correct. Although the robinia is similar to the acacia, it is adapted to other climatic conditions and can therefore also thrive in our latitudes. Robinia honey is therefore also referred to as “false acacia honey”.

A look at the indication of origin will tell you whether it is “real” or “fake” acacia honey: if the honey comes from Germany or Northern Europe, you are probably dealing with robinia honey. If the country of origin is Africa, Australia or a southern European country on the label, you can assume acacia honey.

Rapeseed honey (also: rapeseed honey)

Rapeseed honey is a classic among the local types of honey and is widespread in Germany. The mild sweetness is particularly popular with children.

Chestnut honey

This variety contains both the nectar of the sweet chestnut flowers and their honeydew. The light brown honey tastes tart, slightly bitter and spicy.

Mountain blossom honey

Real mountain blossom honey comes mainly from alpine mountain regions, where the bees get their nectar from wild mountain flowers. Mountain blossom honey is rather dark and has a strong aroma.

Summer Blossom Honey

Summer blossom honey is honey that is obtained from the nectar of various summer flowers and berry blossoms, such as raspberries, blackberries or white clover. Summer blossom honey is seasonally produced and produced between June and September. It is dark yellow to light brown and tastes aromatically sweet.

Wildflower honey

Wildflower honey is made from the nectar of wildflowers that bees find around their hive. In contrast to varietal honey, it is not possible to determine the exact composition of wildflower honey because the bees choose their flowers themselves.

For wildflower honey, the hive must be in a protected area with sufficient wildflowers. However, since large-scale natural landscapes in this country continue to decrease, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable places for the beehives. In Germany, wild blossom honey comes mainly from the Alpine regions, the low mountain ranges or the natural landscapes of the east.

Manuka honey

Manuka honey is special and is used more as a medicinal product than as a food. Manuka honey comes from special bee colonies in New Zealand and, similar to the honey component propolis, contains valuable ingredients that can fight viruses, bacteria and fungi.

For the precious Manuka honey, bees collect the nectar of the South Sea myrtle (Manuka) native to New Zealand. Both the ingredients of the plant itself and the special processing of the nectar by the bees lead to a very rich honey with medicinal effects.

Which type of honey to buy?

In order to make your decision when buying honey easier, you should first think about the sustainability of the honey.

Better regional and organic

When it comes to honey, the motto is: regional instead of global. With the purchase of local honey you support local beekeepers from the region and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. Thanks to short transport routes, regional honey also has a better CO2 balance than honey imported from far away.

For example, the label “Real German Honey” indicates local honey. This seal may only be used by members of the German Beekeepers’ Association who work to the highest quality standards.

Types of honey produced in Germany are:

rapeseed honey
robinia honey
Summer Blossom Honey
chestnut honey
forest honey

With the purchase of organic honey, you also ensure that beekeeping and production are carried out according to organic guidelines. In the case of honey from organic production, the beehives must be placed in such a way that the animals can find plenty of organic wild plants as a food source within a radius of at least three kilometers.

The hives themselves must also be built from natural raw materials and contain no harmful substances. The use of chemical medicines against bee diseases is prohibited with organic honey. Incidentally, the same guidelines usually apply to organic honey in this country as to “real honey”.

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Food

Chili Varieties: The Best Varieties at a Glance

Chili varieties differ in terms of their degree of spiciness and aftertaste. We give you a brief overview of three of the most popular chili varieties.

There are many well-known types of chili that you can use for different dishes. In addition to the fiery taste, chillies are also very healthy: They contain a lot of vitamin B1 and vitamin C. They also provide minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.

Capsaicin is responsible for the sharpness, which also stimulates blood circulation and digestion and is good for the immune system. The hotness of chilies is measured using the Scoville scale. One milligram of capsaicin per kilogram corresponds to 16.1 Scoville (SHU), for example.

Sustainability of chili varieties

From an ecological point of view, it is better if you grow your favorite chili varieties yourself. Chilies originally come from rather warmer areas, such as the Caribbean or New Mexico in the USA. If you grow your own, you avoid unnecessary transport routes. If you want to plant one or more types of chili, use organic seeds. This way you can be sure that the seeds do not come from conventional agriculture and do not contain any chemical-synthetic pesticides. You can buy organic chilli seeds from Bingenheimer Saatgut, for example.

You can also make chili powder or chili paste yourself from fresh chillies. Any type of chili is suitable for air drying. However, if you want to dry the chillies in the oven, for example, you should use thin-walled chillies. Cayenne, for example, is one of the thin-walled chili varieties. To dry them, bake the pods at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius for 3 to 8 hours.

Chili varieties: Anaheim (Capiscum annuum)

The chili variety of the Anaheim type, also known as Capsicum annuum in Latin, is the most widespread chili variety. These include jalapeño and cayenne pods. The Anaheim have a wide range of appearances and tastes. Anaheim-type chilies are often grilled, but are also used as a taco sauce, chili sin carne, or as a powder. Here is an overview of the most important things:

Origin: New Mexico, USA
Color: The Anaheim type is green when immature, red otherwise
Degree of sharpness: from 500 to 1500 Scoville
Pod size: 15 to 20 centimeters long, with large cavities
Flavor: varies from mild to slightly spicy depending on growing conditions
Planting time and harvest: You can grow the chillies indoors between Christmas and New Year. Once about four leaves have formed, the Anaheim can be transplanted into larger pots or into the garden. The harvest can then be expected from June.
Germination time, maturity time and germination temperature: The germination time, i.e. the time that the seed needs from sowing to sprouting, is ten to fourteen days. After that, it takes about 95 days for the Anaheim type to fully mature. The germination temperature describes what temperature the soil must have before the seed begins to germinate. You should germinate the Anaheim chilli at 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. You can achieve 25 to 28 degrees Celsius with the help of a greenhouse, for example.
Tip: If you plant Anaheim chillies between Christmas and New Year’s, you can usually expect a second harvest in September or October of the coming year.

Chili varieties: Lemon Drop/Hot Lemon (Capsicum baccatum)

The Lemon Drop chili variety, also known as Hot Lemon, is also very popular. The Latin term is Capsicum baccatum. The special thing about the chilli variety is its citrus taste, which also gives it its name. Lemon drop chilies are commonly used in spicy salads. Here is an overview of the properties:

Origin: South America
Colour: Green for unripe chillies, otherwise red
Degree of sharpness: 15,000-30,000 Scoville
Size of the pods: four to ten centimeters
Taste: in addition to the spiciness, a light citrus aroma
Planting time and harvest: Grow Lemon Drop chillies indoors and sow them from February to March. A harvest can be expected between August and October.
Germination time, ripening time and germination temperature: The germination time of Lemon Drop is one to three weeks. In four to six months, the Lemon Drop chili variety is then fully ripe. The recommended germination temperature is 30 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Habanero Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum chinense)

The Habanero Scotch Bonnet chilli variety is very hot with a heat level of 800,000 Scoville. You can use them, for example, for spicy chili sin carne or a fiery sauce. Here are the most important things about this chilli variety:

Origin: Caribbean
Colour: green, yellow, red or orange
Degree of sharpness: around 800,000 Scoville
Size of the pods: three to five centimeters
Taste: tropical fruity with light peach aromas
Planting time and harvest: Sow your habaneros between Christmas and New Year and grow them indoors. From mid-May to early October you can then transplant the habaneros into the garden or onto the balcony. Harvest time begins in August.
Germination time, maturity time and germination temperature: The germination time of Habaneros is 8 to 14 days. It is then ripe after 90 to 100 days. Habaneros ripen best at a germination temperature of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Tips when chili varieties are too hot

Some types of chili may be too hot for your taste. Different foods are used to counteract the burning sensation in the mouth, depending on the country:

Mango lassi (India) or sweet dessert dishes (Mexico). These often contain dairy products. Because capsaicin is fat-soluble, dairy products help neutralize the pungency better.
Hot tea (Vietnam and Morocco), as this is said to have a soothing effect.
Sugar and starch in particular also contribute to the neutralization of the perception of sharpness.

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The Most Important Coffee Specialties at a Glance

The fact that coffee is one of the most popular drinks of all comes as no surprise. The caffeinated drink is now available in all imaginable variants. Whether hot or cold, sweet or bitter, with flavor or pure: coffee is more diverse than almost any other drink. Do you know what a lungo is? Or do you know the exact difference between a cappuccino and a latte macchiato? We have put together an overview of the most important coffee specialties in four categories: Coffee variations with coffee beans, espresso, milk and cream and based on ice. You will quickly become a coffee connoisseur. Together with our fully automatic coffee machines, you can also easily implement and enjoy the delicious creations. And which coffee variety is your favourite?

Overview of different coffee specialties with coffee beans

Filter coffee

Filter coffee is probably the most classic coffee drink. It is a black coffee, just like we know it from grandma. Filter coffee is usually prepared in a filter coffee machine. Coffee powder is brewed with hot water and filtered through a funnel-shaped filter.

The trend is to prepare filter coffee with a French press, which makes the taste more full-bodied and aromatic than classic filter coffee. Complete your hot coffee from the French Press with an alcoholic “shot”. The Dutch coffee, for example, is supplemented with eggnog. You can also take a strong shot of rum and conjure up a “Pharisee” with cream. Also popular is the “Rüdesheimer Kaffee”, where the coffee is flambéed with a dash of brandy and covered with cream, vanilla sugar and chocolate sprinkles.

Cafe Creme

In contrast to filter coffee, which is brewed with a filter coffee machine, café crème is made from bean coffee and prepared in a fully automatic coffee machine or portafilter. For the typical and even crema, the coffee has to be freshly ground for each cup and the hot water has to be pressed through the ground coffee under high pressure. While café crème is prepared in less than a minute, filter coffee takes a few minutes longer.

Mocha

We understand mocha to mean Turkish coffee, which is prepared in a long-stemmed pot. For this Arabic coffee specialty, ground coffee is brewed with water and sugar and served in small cups. It is usually boiled twice.

After the first time, the hot, swung-out cups are filled with the foam by the spoonful and after the second time the coffee including ground coffee is served. The coffee grounds then settle on the bottom of the cup. You get a particularly aromatic coffee specialty if you refine your mocha with clove, cinnamon or cardamom.

Overview of different coffee specialties with espresso

Espresso

The little one for in between: the espresso is particularly popular as a quick pick-me-up or after a meal. By the way: in Bella Italia, people only drink espresso after 10 a.m. and call it caffè there. Very finely ground coffee powder is used to prepare this aromatic coffee drink.

The water is pushed through the pressed coffee powder at high pressure. Since only three to four times as little water is used as with Cafè Créme, the concentration of coffee in an espresso is very high. The small black coffee has a fine brown foam crown, the so-called crema, and is served in a small coffee cup or glass. The most popular hot drink of the Italians forms the basis for many other coffee variations. Mixed with grappa you get a caffé corsetto, for example.

Lungs

A lungo is a prolonged espresso. This means that for this coffee:variation, an espresso is brewed with twice as much water. As a result, the lungo is not as strong as a normal espresso, but still very aromatic!

Ristretto

A ristretto is prepared with less water than an espresso. It is therefore more concentrated and stronger than an espresso. And is drunk even faster than an espresso. So the ideal coffee specialty with a caffeine kick for everyone who is in a hurry ;).

Coffee Doppio

Most people are familiar with the coffee specialty of Caffee Doppio as a double espresso. The double espresso is usually served in an ordinary coffee cup. For this coffee drink – as the name suggests – two individual espressos are prepared one after the other.

Cafe Americano

The Cafè Americano tastes similar to a filter coffee. However, this coffee variation is a double espresso, which is then diluted with water. The mixing ratio corresponds to approx. 1:3. Thus, 60ml of espresso is diluted with 180ml of hot water.

Overview of coffee specialties with milk and cream

Milk coffee

If you like your coffee a little milder, you often go for a latte. As the name suggests, this consists of filter coffee and hot milk. The exact composition can vary: Austrians, for example, distinguish between “melange” (half coffee and half milk) or “coffee wrong”, which consists of two thirds milk and only one third coffee. This coffee specialty is usually served in a large cup.

Cafe au lait

Café au lait (coffee with milk) is the French version of coffee with milk, which is also made from equal parts coffee and hot milk. Some people use an espresso lungo or at least very strong filter coffee for the café au lait instead of normal coffee in order to retain the bitter coffee taste despite a lot of milk.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino is an espresso that is filled with equal parts milk and milk froth. The recipe for this creamy coffee drink is: 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 milk foam. As an alternative to milk, cream is also often used in Germany. The cappuccino is often refined with a little cocoa powder. In Italy, cappuccino is drunk almost exclusively for breakfast, in other countries it is also often ordered in the afternoon with cake.

Espresso macchiato

For the espresso macchiato, an espresso is prepared in the normal way. This is then served in a small glass or cup with a dash of hot frothed milk.

Flat White

The Flat White consists of a double espresso and frothed milk. Unlike the cappuccino, however, this is only slightly foamed and still slightly liquid. Often the flat white is decorated with latte art, which makes the flat white look very appealing.

Latte macchiato

The latte macchiato has become the absolute trend drink in Germany and is one of the most popular coffee specialties in our country. It is served in tall glasses and with a long spoon and, like the cappuccino, is prepared from 1/3 each of espresso, hot milk and frothed milk. The espresso is added last, so that it settles between the milk and the milk froth.

This creates the typical layering in the glass. This coffee variety is one of the mildest coffee drinks, which is why it translates as “stained milk”. The latte macchiato is often offered in several flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate or caramel, by adding different syrups. So it is the ideal drink for coffee beginners.

Overview of various coffee specialties with ice

Cafe frappe

The café frappé is a Greek coffee specialty. Instant coffee is frothed with milk and cooled with ice cubes. Sugar or milk is often added.

Coldbrew

With cold brew, ground coffee is infused with cold water. The mixture is steeped at room temperature for several hours and finally filtered. This creates a very special coffee variation.

Iced coffee

A typical iced coffee consists of chilled coffee with vanilla ice cream. Depending on your preference, the refreshing coffee drink can also be served with other types of ice cream and whipped cream.

Iced coffee

With iced coffee, a hot espresso is poured into a glass with pieces of ice and sweetened. Especially for the summer, this is an aromatic and refreshing drink that is also quick to prepare.

Frappuccino

The frappuccino is a cold coffee drink consisting of a cup of coffee or espresso, crushed ice, syrup and usually whipped cream.

Green coffee – the slightly different coffee specialty

This hip coffee drink, green coffee, is still somewhat unknown. So-called green coffee is used for this. Basically, coffee beans are roasted before grinding. This is different with green coffee, which remains in its green, untreated and dried form. In terms of taste, the green coffee tastes much milder than the roasted competition.

You can prepare the green coffee in the French press or the coffee machine. Green coffee is much more aromatic with the French press than with the filter coffee machine.

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