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Wholemeal Rice: Nutritional Values and How to Prepare it

Wholemeal rice contains a particularly large number of vitamins, dietary fibers and trace elements. In this article you will find out exactly what nutritional values ​​are in whole grain rice and what you should consider when preparing it.

Parboiled rice, white rice, basmati rice, wild rice: there are many different types and varieties of rice, some of which differ greatly from one another. In this article, we take a closer look at whole grain rice, also known as brown rice or brown rice. Utopia tells you what you should know about nutritional values ​​and cultivation and what you need to look out for when shopping and preparing.

Brown Rice: These nutritional values ​​make it so healthy

The nutritional value of rice largely depends on how far the rice grain has been processed. For white rice, for example, the silver skin and the germ are removed. However, these parts of the grain of rice contain a particularly large number of nutrients. Wholemeal rice, on the other hand, is largely untreated: it only lacks the inedible husk. That is why brown rice is also considered to be the healthiest rice.

Since rice is a natural product and the exact nutrient content depends on the rice variety and the growing conditions, the nutritional values ​​of whole grain rice also differ depending on the product.

In terms of calories, carbohydrates and protein, whole grain rice hardly differs from white rice. However, whole grain rice contains significantly more minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron as well as more vitamin B1 and vitamin B3.

The carbohydrates are primarily long-chain carbohydrates, which are considered to be the healthier carbohydrates. With almost eight percent protein, brown rice is also a good source of vegetable protein.

However, there is one major shortcoming with whole grain rice: the arsenic content. The harmful semi-metal is mainly found in the husk of the rice grain, which is why whole grain rice contains significantly more arsenic than white rice. To reduce the arsenic content, you should therefore rinse and soak rice well. Reading tip: In our special article we explain everything you need to know about rice and arsenic.

Prepare whole grain rice: tips for the kitchen

As mentioned in the first section, you should wash whole grain rice thoroughly before preparing it and ideally soak it for several hours. This allows you to significantly reduce the arsenic content. You can find out the background and what you should pay attention to in our article Washing or soaking rice – does that make sense? If you want it to be extra quick, you can skip the soaking. In any case, you should wash the brown rice until the water runs clear.

You can then cook the whole grain rice in two different ways:

Add five times as much water as rice to the saucepan. With this cooking method, the arsenic content in the rice is further reduced. Due to the high water and energy consumption, this is also less environmentally friendly.
With the quick swelling method, you only add twice the amount of water to the pot.
In any case, you put the whole grain rice in the cold water, then bring it to a boil and simmer the covered rice for about twenty minutes over a low heat. Then let the brown rice soak in the saucepan for another ten minutes.

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Food

Chicle: This is How Plastic-Free Chewing Gum is Made From Tree Sap

Chicle is a sustainable raw material that some companies use to make petroleum-free chewing gum. Here you can find out what exactly is behind the substance and how recommendable it really is.

What is chicle?

Chicle is a rubbery substance derived from the milky sap of tropical trees. For the most part, manufacturers use the sap of the pulp apple tree. But the balata tree and other members of the so-called Manilkara tree family also provide the required liquid.

To get the milk from a tree, you carve a canal in the bark and siphon off the liquid. The trees are usually not damaged by this harvesting method. Even the ancient Aztecs are said to have obtained chicle and used it as chewing gum.

This is how chicle is used

Chicle is now the basis of some alternative chewing gums. In contrast to conventional products, these are therefore biodegradable. Because conventional chewing gum is based on gum made from petroleum. The production of oil brings with it major ecological problems: Among other things, it promotes social grievances and political conflicts and destroys forest areas.

In addition, petroleum-based rubber is not biodegradable. So the chewing gum sticks to roads and forest paths for a long time. Chewing gum made from chicle is said to solve this problem.

But chicle also has an ecological disadvantage: the pulp apple tree and other Manilkara species mostly come from the tropical regions of Central America. The milky juice therefore has to travel long distances to Germany and has a correspondingly poor eco-balance.

Chicle chewing gum: These products exist

Despite their questionable eco-balance, it can be assumed that chicle chewing gum is generally a more sustainable alternative to products containing petroleum. The most well-known chicle products that you can find in German drugstores as well as organic and supermarkets are:

True Gum: The Danish company produces fully biodegradable chewing gum in Denmark. The chewing gums are sugar-free and vegan-certified.
Forest Gum: This Cologne start-up also produces biodegradable, sugar-free and vegan chicle chewing gum. According to its own statements, the company relies on direct trade and pays attention to fair working conditions.
Chicza: This company’s chewing gums are one of the few chicle products to be certified organic. Overall, Chicza products have been awarded five different organic seals. This also includes the Swedish Krav seal, which stands for fair working conditions in addition to ecological criteria. Like Forest Gum, Chicza practices direct trading. The Chicza chewing gums contain sugar syrup.

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Cooking Tips

Sprouting Buckwheat: How it Works

Sprouting buckwheat is very easy and takes a maximum of two days. We explain step by step how you can grow your own buckwheat seedlings.

Even if the name suggests otherwise, buckwheat has nothing to do with conventional wheat. In fact, buckwheat belongs to a different plant family and is therefore also referred to as a pseudocereal.

Buckwheat is healthy, suitable for celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and versatile. You can also germinate the pyramid-shaped grains so you can even eat them raw. In our guide we will show you exactly how to do this.

Sprouting buckwheat: step-by-step instructions

To germinate buckwheat, you only need the following utensils:

a sprouting jar with a boiled lid
alternatively: make a sprout glass yourself or use a fine sieve
a handful of buckwheat, preferably organic and raw food quality
Sprouting buckwheat – instructions:

Rinse the buckwheat kernels thoroughly.Place the buckwheat in the sprouting jar. Be careful not to fill the jar more than a third full, as the buckwheat grains will increase in volume considerably as they germinate.
Fill the glass at least halfway with water so that the buckwheat is well covered. Let the kernels soak for about 2 hours.
After about two hours, drain the water and wash the buckwheat again. Don’t be surprised by the slimy consistency of the water. This is perfectly normal and will subside with each flush.
Now place the sprouting jar upside down so that the excess water can drip off. Leave the jar of buckwheat in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
From now on, rinse the buckwheat three times a day with clear water and then let the water drain thoroughly.
Depending on the ambient temperature, the buckwheat will start to germinate after 12 to 24 hours. After two days at the latest, the buckwheat grains should have sprouted half a centimeter to a whole centimetre. Then at the latest you should use the sprouted buckwheat. You should not wait longer, otherwise the grains could become musty.
By the way: If you don’t have a germination jar and use a normal sieve, the buckwheat grains may dry out faster. In this case, you’ll need to rinse them more often to keep them slightly damp. You can also cover the grains with a cup or bowl to keep them from losing moisture as quickly.

Using buckwheat sprouts: ideas for the kitchen

You can use the buckwheat sprouts in many ways. For example, try the following ideas and recipes:

Bake a buckwheat bread with whole or broken buckwheat sprouts. Of course, you can also add the sprouts to other breads and baked goods.
Add sprouted buckwheat to salads or sprinkle over soups.
Supplement muesli, porridge or yoghurt with buckwheat sprouts.
Use the sprouted buckwheat as an ingredient in the smoothie.
Blend the buckwheat with other ingredients like oil, garlic, and spices to make a pesto or spread.
Dry the buckwheat sprouts in a dehydrator or in the sun on hot summer days. The dried germs have a much longer shelf life.
Shelf life: You should use the sprouted buckwheat as soon as possible. The sprouts will keep for a maximum of three days in the refrigerator.

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Cooking Tips

How do You Make Traditional Masala Chai?

Masala Chai is a mixed drink originally from the Asian area. The Indian word “Masala” can be roughly translated with “spice mixture”, with the “chai” being derived from the Chinese word “Chá” for tea. Masala Chai consists of black tea, sugar or honey, milk and a special spice mixture and is particularly popular because of its stimulating effect. Chai is a good alternative for latte macchiato lovers.

Masala Chai – a special kind of tea drink
Masala Chai is the national drink in India and is also celebrating its trendy in Europe as a trend drink. In addition to self -preparation, the acquisition of tea bags in tea shops and coffee shops, Masala Chai can now also be obtained as a capsule for the Nespresso coffee machines.

Masala Chai – a drink with many recipes

The classic ingredients for the Masala Chai include a strong black tea, which is often brewed from a strong assam, as well as milk, sugar or other sweeteners. However, the special aroma is awarded to the Masala Chai by the spice mix that varies from family to family in India. Traditional spices for the Masala Chai are cloves, cardamom, anise, fennel seeds, cinnamon and ginger that can be found in almost every recipe variation. The spices used, especially as a stimulating mode of action, develop. Cardamom in particular should have a positive effect on life energy and digestion after teaching.

The fact that almost every family has handed over their own recipe for the Masala Chai, peppercorns, Indian laurel leaves and nutmeg can also be considered as seasoning ingredients. Instead of sugar, honey is also used as a sweetener depending on the region and taste.

Traditional preparation of the Masala Chai

For the preparation of a Masala chai, the water is boiled with the milk, sugar or honey and spices. The tea leaves are only added after a cooking time of about a minute. After a drawing time of at least ten minutes, the Masala Chai is piled up and served through a sieve. Here is the recipe:

3/4 cup of water
2-4 green cardamom capsules to smash (comes from the ginger family family)
1-2 thin slices of fresh ginger
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
A pinch of anis
3/4 cup of milk
1 teaspoon black tea leaves
Sugar or honey to sweeten

However, before the Masala Chai is drunk in India, he receives its typical creamy consistency by creating several times with a trowel and the foaming. As a rule, you let it pull around 5 minutes in total. Furthermore, tea is generally poured in India from the cup to the saucer to cool and drink the drink. Tip for summer: prepare in large quantities and enjoy it cold.

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Cooking Tips

Grow Your Own Coffee – This is How You Can Grow Your Own Coffee Plant

The sowing of a coffee plant is possible all year round. Cultivation works best with fresh seeds, which ideally can be taken from the ripe coffee berries. After they have been separated from their somewhat harder shell and the silver skin that encloses them, they can then be planted about a centimeter deep in the ground. It makes sense to plant each bean in its own pot. Head cuttings can be obtained from a coffee bush and planted directly in soil. A sufficiently warm location is important in both cases. If the plant is large enough and has adequate root development, it can be transplanted into a larger pot.

Now a mixture of soil and substrate is good for you, as constant moisture should be guaranteed. Further repotting is usually required at most every two to three years. Soft rainwater is best for watering. A slightly acidic soil, which favors growth, can be achieved by occasionally adding lemon juice. Tropical and subtropical plants such as the coffee plant from Ethiopia should also be sprayed with water every day if possible, as this allows them to absorb moisture through their leaves. Warm summer rains are good care for the shrub, which otherwise cannot tolerate outdoor temperatures. In the colder months, you should water your Coffea less, but keep the humidity as high as possible.

The coffee plant likes temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees, making it the ideal houseplant. In winter, it also tolerates slightly cooler temperatures of around 12 to 15 degrees. A significantly colder environment or drafts should be avoided. It does well in a light location, not exposed to direct or blazing sun or cramped by other plants. You can prune your coffee plant irregularly if a bushier growth is desired.

It can take a few years for the plant to flower for the first time. A brush can be used to help pollinate the flowers so that pollination occurs evenly. But then coffee cherries, the fruits of the coffee plant, also grow. The green berries turn red within 8 to 12 months and can finally be harvested. If you do not want to roast the coffee beans obtained in this way or if the yield is too low, you can of course use them as new seeds and thus increase your local plantation.

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Cooking Tips

Decalate the Coffee Machine With Home Remedies – That’s How it Works!

The cup of coffee is part of the daily morning ritual for many people. But a coffee machine also needs care and should be descaled and cleaned regularly. Because without descaling there is no taste perfect coffee and damp coffee residues are also an ideal breeding ground for mold and other germs.

But how do I know that the coffee machine has to be descaled?

Many coffee machines now show this using a control light. But there are also other signs that the machine has to be descaled:
White deposits are formed
The coffee machine runs slower
The machine is exceptionally loud
The coffee doesn’t get really hot and does not taste good
How often you have to clean your machine depends on how often you use it, how strong the water hardness is and how quickly it calculates. On average, however, a coffee machine should be cleaned every 1-2 months.

Decalate the coffee machine with professional cleaning agents:

A large number of different descalcers are offered in stores. Almost every coffee machine manufacturer also offers suitable descaling agents for their machine. But there are also some brand -independent products.

Basically, you cannot do anything wrong with these descaling agents – simply put the descaler into the machine according to the manufacturer’s specifications and start descaling. After that, the coffee machine is perfectly descaled and ready for further use.

Decalate the coffee machine with home remedies – this is how it works:

However, professional cleaning products from the trade have a big disadvantage: they are quite expensive. But there are also cheaper ways to decalify and clean the coffee machine – for example, some home remedies are perfect for this. This makes the coffee machine cleaning not only cheaper, but also more environmentally friendly.

The classic: coffee machine decalcify with vinegar essence

A very widespread method is to clean the coffee machine with vinegar essence. But how exactly does it work? We show you step by step what you have to do to clean your coffee machine with vinegar essence:
First of all, it is important that the vinegar essence with water is diluted in a ratio of 1: 4. Because undiluted and highly concentrated, it can harm rubber seals and other sensitive parts in the machine.
Once you have diluted the vinegar essence, put it in the water tank of the coffee machine, let it work briefly and start the descaling process according to the specifications of the respective manufacturer.
It is important that you let water run through the machine for 2-3 times after descaling so that the next coffee does not taste like vinegar.
The descaling is ready and the coffee machine is ready to go again.

For particularly environmentally conscious descaling: descaling with citric acid

You don’t have any vinegar essence at home right now? No problem – you can easily clean your coffee machine with a simple lemon. This has the advantage that citric acid is particularly environmentally friendly. And you only have to take the following steps:
Clean the surfaces of the coffee machine:
Halve a lemon and remove the seeds
Squeeze some lemon juice over a sponge. With the sponge you can then wipe over lime deposits, leave the whole thing on for about 30 minutes and then wipe it moist.
Discalate the coffee machine:
To clean the inside of the coffee machine, you have to press the lemon completely.
Then it is important to give the lemon juice through a sieve so that no pulp gets into the machine.
Now you can dilute the juice of a whole lemon with about one liter of water and then put the mixture into the water tank.
Now you can start descaling again according to the manufacturer.
Once the descaling has ended, think about rinsing the coffee machine with water 2-3 times.
You already have a perfectly descaled coffee machine and the coffee tastes great again.

Special caution is required here: descaling coffee machine with amidosulfonic acid

If the coffee machine is once particularly dirty, there is also the possibility to decalcify the coffee machine with amidosulfonic acid. Available, for example in the hardware store.

But here you have to be particularly careful! This acid has a caustic effect. Therefore, you should wear mouth protection and safety glasses with the application.

This is how it works: Mix ten grams of amidosulfonic acid with one liter of water and then start descaling as usual.

It is particularly important here that the machine is washed through water several times after cleaning.

Baking powder – descale the miracle cure for the coffee machine

There are many home remedies that are suitable for descaling. Baking powder is also ideal for cleaning. Simply dissolve baking powder in one liter of water and then let this solution run through the coffee machine. The machine is clean again and the coffee tastes flawless again. The descaling is so easy with baking powder.

The descaling with home remedies is therefore not only significantly cheaper than decalcifying with buyable solutions, but also more environmentally friendly.

How can I protect my coffee machine against lime?

Unfortunately, the formation of lime cannot be completely avoided. You can take some preventive measures, but these will not completely prevent lime formation. One way to restrict the formation of lime to do without tap water. Instead, use still water from bottles (i.e. water without carbon dioxide), this is far from the water from the tap. It may be enough if you descalate the coffee machine every 6 – 12 months.

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health

Coffee Enjoyment – How Much of The Quard is Healthy?

None of us want to do without coffee. But how much coffee is healthy and what kind of damage occurs with excessive consumption?

Many myths rank about the effect of coffee on our health. Reason enough to take a closer look

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. With us in Germany, too, every German citizen drinks an average of around 149 liters of coffee a year. With such a high consumption, the questions quickly arise how much coffee is healthy and whether any health problems can arise. To do this, the coffee must be checked for its ingredients and their effects have to be looked at more closely. Since most of us drink several cups of coffee during the day, the result should be more than interesting.

The favorite drink of par excellence: the coffee! With over 800 aroma fabrics in just one coffee bean, it convinces with a real variety of flavors and great properties. In addition to the coffee acid and numerous bitter substances, there are unmistakable beverage variations, which give every coffee lover unique moments of pleasure. It is not surprising that most of us reach for the first cup of coffee in the morning. The person contained in the coffee quickly displaces any morning tiredness and keeps us fit for the rest of the day. Above all, the well -known afternoon depth is combated with the help of the guard. In addition to classic black coffee, many also drink milk creations such as a latte macchiato or cappuccino. The selection is almost infinite – but how much coffee is healthy for us? As so often, many factors play a role here. In addition to the ingredients and coffee variation, it is mainly important to the mass of the coffee we recorded.

Coffee: sick maker or power donor?

Whether coffee is healthy or unhealthy, the spirits often differ. It is clear that it is a popular drink worldwide, which is taken several times a day by many people. The ingredients of the pleasure drink are very versatile. With more than 800 aroma substances, acids, caffeine (alkaloids), minerals, protein and much more, coffee provides our body plenty of input. Most of these ingredients are absolutely harmless to us and also convince with valuable nutrients. It only becomes problematic with an increased supply of caffeine or with too many bitter substances. But how much coffee is healthy in the end? In particular, we take a closer look at the caffeine content.

For most, caffeine is the must-have in coffee. It ensures that after a short time we feel awake and cheer, can think and work more efficiently and help us through daily morning fatigue as well as the afternoon depth. Unfortunately, it is the caffeine that can harm our body. Medical studies set a limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. As long as this value is not exceeded, the guard is absolutely harmless to us. Converted into coffee, this corresponds to about four cups of filter coffee. Around 71.3 percent of all Germans move within this limit and remain below the four cups mentioned.

So the question is less how much coffee, but much more how much caffeine is healthy. Since we also take other foods and drinks in addition to the daily coffee, we have to keep an eye on the caffeine intake throughout the day. In addition to filter coffee, for example, a cup of espresso with 50-60 mg caffeine, a 0.33 liter dose of cola with 10 mg caffeine, a dark chocolate with up to 115 mg caffeine and a 250 ml energy drink with 80 mg caffeine. In addition, you have to take a closer look at all kinds of coffee creations. Not every coffee contains the same amount of caffeine. If additives are used, they can bring an extra caffeine into play.

If you do not exceed the daily maximum dose of 400 milligrams of caffeine, you don’t need to worry about health consequences. With a larger intake, over a longer period of time, however, there is getting used to in the brain. The consequences can be insomnia and concentration disorders. Coffee and the associated caffeine are completely harmless in moderation. Anyone who does not exaggerate it with daily consumption can calmly indulge in the enjoyable taste of the coffee bean and does not have to worry about any health risks. If the desire for coffee gets a little larger, it is advisable to grab for decaffeinated coffee – this is usually offered in all shops and cafés and offers a great alternative to caffeinated coffee.

Attention risk groups!

The border of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is usually a good clue for all coffee lovers. However, there are some risk groups that react a little more to coffee and have to hold back accordingly. Especially people with high blood pressure or those who suffer from insomnia must be careful with daily caffeine. Even pregnant women can have problems with excessive coffee consumption. Their organism is directly connected to that of their babies and passes on the caffeine unfiltered. Incidentally, this also happens when breastfeeding small children! Nobody has to do without coffee. A few cups of the pleasure drink per week are perfectly fine and should not cause health problems.

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Cooking Tips

How Many Types of Coffee and Coffee Are There?

For many people, coffee from everyday life is indispensable – whether in the morning as a guardian, in between to enjoy or at work.

There are 103 types of coffee and much more types of coffee. But how exactly does this great variety of coffee drinks arise?

For every coffee lover, daily pleasure plays a different role, but one thing has to decide for themselves: Which variety is the right one? In order to get closer to the answer, various aspects of the manufacturing process are examined in more detail.

The coffee manufacturers have taken advantage of the fact that the coffee drink is now indispensable for many people and developed countlessly many different types of coffee: the range ranges from refreshingly cold ice coffee for a hot summer day to caffeinated coffee for evening hours to environmentally friendly and fair traded Organic coffee-the list seems to extend endlessly. Since it is still easy to keep an overview. Of course, the taste also plays an important role. Every type of coffee carries its own flavors through the way of cultivation and its special workmanship. Some hardly differ from each other, others very strong. And trying out yourself through all possible varieties to find the ideal taste can take an eternity. Therefore, a small helpful overview is created here, on which you can orient yourself.

Coffee types and their growing areas

If you haven’t thought about it yet, you would perhaps understand the two terms coffee types and types of coffee in a synonym. But even if it may not seem that way at first glance, these are two terms that cannot be equated with each other. A biological distinction is set up in the term coffee type. This means that the individual types of coffee feel comfortable in a different climate and are best to grow there. There are a total of 103 different types of coffee and of these 103 different types of coffee are surprisingly mainly used for the countless types of coffee that we know from the shops: the Coffea Arabica and the Robusta. The latter is also a sub -genus of Coffea Canhora. Around 70 % of the coffee market are filled by all sorts of varieties of the Arabica bean and about 30 % make up the robusta. In addition to the two species, the Coffea art Liberica and the intersection of Maragogype, which is a variety of the Coffea Arabica, share the remaining percentage of the coffee market. However, this is only approximate estimates, a clear statement cannot be made. But why are these two species in the world of coffee so strongly represented? What makes it so special?

The Arabica coffee fairs require a cool and stable climate with a temperature between 18 and 22 degrees. They can be found in altitude regions from 1000 meters. Due to the cooler temperature conditions, the Arabica bean with a curved scar on the flat side needs a lot of time to ripen and can therefore develop the diverse aroma. This enables a wide range of coffee types. In contrast, the robusta can be found in warmer growing areas in the flat country. It also withstands higher temperature fluctuations, which explains its name. The rich, earthy but low -acid taste is characteristic, which leads to a somewhat lower variety. The bean is somewhat smaller than the Arabica and has a straight scar. In contrast, the Liberica bean is juicer, harder and contains little sugar, but a lot of caffeine. Accordingly, this can be the reason why it is not so strongly represented on the market.

What distinguishes the types of coffee?

The whole thing now looks a little more complex with all the types of coffee, which can ultimately be found on shelves of supermarkets. The distinction between the type of coffee is no longer sufficient here. Because the diversity of the types of coffee already starts during cultivation. But how exactly do more than two types of coffee become so many types of coffee?

The climate significantly determines the direction in which the quality of the coffee will go. By cultivation on plantations in the highland mountains-as with the Arabica bean-the coffee bean enables a longer ripening process. As a result, the bean can develop much more in terms of taste, which leads to a greater variety and high quality. Many plantations are now being grown in monocultures, i.e. without other plant species, although the coffee plant prefers shadow regions with other plants and trees because it can thrive in them better. The organic coffee, for example,-like the originally natural environment of the coffee plant-is grown in mixed forests and, in addition to the shadow, also has a higher nutrient content in the soil. In addition, the pest infestation is not as high as in monocultures, which means that pesticides and fertilizers only have to be used in small quantities. A mixed culture thus obviously creates many advantages for the environment, which also speaks for a high -quality coffee bean than with monocultures.

Immediately after the harvest, there are other differences in the preparation of the coffee beans: Now there are many different ways to produce certain flavors from the coffee bean. On the one hand, the coffee beans can be placed on the floor or special “Dry Beds” for drying. During this drying process, the coffee bean pulls the sweet aroma out of the pulp and absorbs it. On the other hand, they can also be processed directly wet. The pulp is removed from the beans and the coffee beans are fermented in a subsequent fermentation process. If water is added, this can still significantly influence the taste. Air cleaning then removes foreign bodies such as wood and bowls.

After this preparation of the coffee bean, the roasting is pending, which decides whether it is the final product of coffee or espresso. The duration of the roasting is crucial for this. If the beans are roasted between 5 and 13 minutes, it is coffee beans for filter coffee. Espresso needs a pussy time of up to 20 minutes. Each coffee bean is equally suitable for both roasting processes.

Countless many types of coffee

Ultimately, the countless types of coffee arise from the mixtures of different types of coffee that grow in different climate regions. These mixtures are also called blends. Due to the right mixture, delicious aromatic and harmoniously adapted flavors can lead to a complete pleasure. On the other hand, high -quality and expensive coffee can be mixed with poorer coffee in order to make the expensive coffee accessible to less money. There are also a few companies that offer the so -called single origins: this is a coffee that consists of only one coffee type of only one growing region.

From the choice of the growing area to roasting, before the type of coffee comes alone or mixed with other species in the machines, there are many components that play an important role in the final taste of the type of coffee. However, the variety of drinking coffee drinks does not stop at the coffee beans, because in addition to the coffee beans, other ingredients such as milk and sugar can be mixed in. And most of them are based on only the two types of coffee Arabica and Robusta. It only says: try it out and enjoy, but you can definitely define a rough direction.

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Food

Coconut Chips: How Healthy and Sustainable They Really are

Coconut chips are considered a healthy and filling snack between meals. You can find out here how the tropical fruit actually affects your body and what ecological effects coconut chips have.

Coconut chips: how to buy and use them

You can not only buy coconut chips and snack on them, you can often find them as part of muesli and nut mixtures or bars. They are also a popular ingredient for yoghurt and quark dishes, smoothies and smoothie bowls or creamy desserts.

You can also use the chips as a baking ingredient for cookies, muffins and other desserts. They are suitable as a decorative topping for soups, curries and other wok dishes with coconut milk. When buying, you should use organic coconut chips if possible. In this way you support sustainable agriculture that works without pesticides that are harmful to the environment and health.

Also make sure that the coconut chips do not contain any sulfur dioxide (E 220). This is a preservative that poses no risk as long as the legal limits are observed. However, some conditions, such as asthma, require caution. Sulfur dioxide also destroys vitamin B1. It is therefore forbidden to sulphurize certain products containing vitamin B1.

Some coconut chips also contain sugar syrup or other sweeteners. If you want to avoid this, you should first look at the list of ingredients.

These are the nutritional values of coconut chips

Compared to other nuts, coconut chips are relatively high in calories: Rapunzel coconut chips contain around 700 kilocalories per 100 grams. They each consist of about seven percent carbohydrates and protein and about 14 percent fiber.

Almost all of the rest is fat. So this makes up about two-thirds. Coconut chips consist largely of saturated fatty acids. They contain 64.4 grams of the rather unfavorable fats per 100 grams. Up to a certain amount, saturated fatty acids also play an important role for our body: For example, they are essential for the protection of our organs and for hormone and immune metabolism.

At the same time, however, they also increase the LDL cholesterol level. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the guidelines of the German Society for Nutrition, saturated fatty acids should therefore not make up more than seven to ten percent of the total energy balance. However, this value is often exceeded. That’s why you should only consume coconut products in moderation.

Compared to nuts and seeds, coconut chips are also poorer in micronutrients. They only contain potassium and iron in appreciable amounts. Other minerals or vitamins are contained only to a small extent.

Make coconut chips yourself: Here’s how

If you want to make your own coconut chips from fresh coconut pulp, you can follow these steps:

First, it is best to cut the flesh into thin strips with a vegetable peeler.
Place the strips on an oven rack or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Optionally you can refine them with a little salt or a sweetener of your choice.
The coconut strips are now placed in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about seven to ten minutes. If they are already slightly browned around the edges, you can take them out and let them cool down.

How sustainable are coconut chips?

Coconut palms only grow in tropical regions. The Philippines, Indonesia and India are therefore among the largest coconut producers. Coconuts therefore have to cover long transport routes to Germany. Their life cycle assessment is correspondingly poor.

In addition, it is usually very difficult to trace back the coconut chip chain. For most coconut products, it is unclear under what working conditions and for what wages farmers in the countries of origin had to grow and harvest the fruit.

That’s why you should use Fair Trade certified coconut chips whenever possible. Depending on the type of seal, regular working hours, fair wages, democratic corporate structures and transparent trade routes are among the things that are taken into account.

Another problem is that coconut trees are slow growing and not very productive. If the demand for coconut products increases, this creates pressure in the producing countries. Farmers may then turn to harmful monocultures and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to speed up yields. This is particularly fueled by the increasing demand for inexpensive coconut oil.

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Food

Lavender Tea: Effect and How to Make It Yourself

Lavender tea is a versatile and proven remedy. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help with various ailments. Here you can find out how to make lavender tea yourself and what you should consider when preparing it.

Lavender tea has an intense aroma and a delicate scent. In addition, lavender tea is a good way to benefit from the versatile healing properties of the plant. Even the ancient Romans used lavender as a medicinal plant and as a bath additive. And the colorful blossoms are still very much appreciated in monastery gardens to this day.

Lavender flowers are used to make lavender tea. You can find out how to make the tea yourself below. If you want to buy lavender tea, you should definitely use organic quality flowers. Öko-Test found increased residues of pesticides and other pollutants in conventional teas.

This is how lavender tea works

Lavender can not only enrich your garden, the medicinal plant also has a wide range of health effects. The valuable ingredients of the flower are responsible for this. These include, among others:

essential oils
tannins
bitter substances
flavonoids
saponins
Lavender has been extensively studied in both animal and human studies. A study from 2013 dealt extensively with the effects of lavender, especially on the nervous system. The following properties of lavender were proven:

antibacterial
antiviral
anti-inflammatory
calming
pain relieving
anxiolytic
mood-enhancing
antispasmodic
circulation-enhancing
You can use lavender tea for various ailments:

Insomnia: Lavender tea can calm and help you fall asleep better. The tea is even said to intensify sleep. The best way to do this is to drink a cup of lavender tea before bed. Even if you suffer from jet lag, you can use lavender tea.
Depressive moods and anxiety: Lavender can have a calming effect on our nervous system and relieves anxiety. In addition, it brightens your mood. It is best to drink two to three cups throughout the day.
Indigestion: Its calming effect also helps with indigestion and can relieve abdominal cramps. It is important that you only let the tea steep for a short time. The highly concentrated essential oils could also irritate your mucous membranes.
Menstrual cramps: Lavender tea can relieve abdominal cramps and has a physically and mentally calming effect.
Respiratory diseases: Lavender can relax the airways and helps against viruses and bacteria, especially in the case of coughs and diseases of the bronchi.
Blemishes and acne: You can use lavender tea as a bath additive for external use on blemishes and acne. To do this, boil a liter of lavender tea and add the tea to your bath.
Lavender tea is generally well tolerated and also suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. A 2015 study looked at the positive effects of lavender tea on new mothers. The participants felt less exhausted and depressed, and lavender tea had a positive effect on mother-child bonding.

In addition to tea, lavender is also often used as lavender oil for medicinal purposes. Here, the content of essential oils is significantly higher, so the effect is different.

Make your own lavender tea

Only the colorful blossoms are used for homemade lavender tea.

At best, lavender grows in your garden. You should make sure that it is real lavender “Lavandula angustifolia” so that you can benefit from the healing effect.

How to make lavender tea yourself:

Harvest lavender:

Depending on the weather conditions, lavender starts blooming between June and August. As soon as the first buds open, but not all have started blooming, you should harvest them.
The best time is midday on a sunny day. Then the dew evaporated.
Cut off the buds with their stalks, this will make drying them easier.
Dry lavender:

Tie the harvested buds together by their stems into bunches and hang them upside down.
Make sure the buds are not exposed to direct sunlight or heat while drying.
After a week or two, the lavender flowers are completely dry. Then you can easily rub them with your fingers.
Use a knife or sharp scissors to separate the buds from the stems and place in a jar.
Store the dried flowers in a dry and light-protected place.
Preparation of the tea:

For one cup (250 milliliters) of lavender tea you need about two teaspoons of dried lavender flowers.
Boil the water first and then let it cool down to about 80 degrees. The effective essential oils are very sensitive to heat and should therefore not be boiled.
Let the tea steep for 8-10 minutes before removing the flowers.
If the intense aroma of lavender tea doesn’t suit your taste, you can tone it down with a little milk or honey.
Lavender is also great for tea blends. To increase the effect, you can mix the tea with St. John’s wort or valerian. In terms of taste, lavender harmonizes particularly well with:

chamomile
licorice
Linden Blossoms
rose petals

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