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Kitchen Rolls Are So Bad: Why You Should Definitely Do Without Them

It stands or hangs in almost every household, the kitchen roll. Simply tear off, wipe and throw away after use. We show why this is bad for the environment and what alternatives there are.

Environmental problems and pollutants from paper production

Paper consumption is increasing worldwide. The industrialized nations in particular consume paper in large quantities. Most of it is sanitary paper: toilet paper, napkins, handkerchiefs and kitchen rolls. Every German uses around 19 kilos of hygienic paper a year (as of 2020). The Federal Environment Agency estimates that every fifth tree felled worldwide is turned into paper.

A large part of the paper fibers for our sanitary paper market come from abroad. For example from Brazil – partly from ecologically controversial plantations. Thousands of hectares of rainforest are cleared there for our kitchen rolls and replaced by plantations. We urgently need these forests to preserve biodiversity and for climate protection.

What can you do?

A first step: Use kitchen paper sparingly
Buy recycled products. Look out for the blue angel mark for the eco-friendly kitchen roll. This logo guarantees you that the product really is made from 100% recycled paper and without any harmful chemicals. According to consumer advice centers, the FSC or PEFC seals of quality are less recommended: They only partially guarantee waste paper in products and do not sufficiently take other environmental criteria (such as energy consumption or the use of chemicals) into account.

The ecological balance of recycled paper is definitely worthwhile: products made from waste paper save around 50% energy and 67% water during production compared to those made from fresh wood fibers. And of course they save wood. Recycled paper is definitely better for the environment. But you use a here too

Reuse instead of throwing away

Washable, reusable paper towels are now available. This is either made of fabric or bamboo. Bamboo is currently considered an environmentally friendly raw material. It grows back much faster than wood. But he has other transport routes, as he currently comes mainly from China. Beeswax towels are also offered as a kitchen roll substitute. If you use washable kitchen paper, you definitely produce less waste.

Or simply use long-lasting cotton towels. You can wash them and use them several times

And if you’re using discarded kitchen towels or old t-shirts, you don’t have to buy anything. This is of course also cost-saving. With such upcycling you are trendy and do something for the environment.

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Cooking Tips

The Digital Cookbook as a Modern Kitchen Helper

Anyone who was still in the kitchen with grandma knows how thick some cookbooks or baking books were back then. These books contained the tastiest recipes from all areas. But those who want to bake and cook today prefer to use a tablet or smartphone. A wide variety of recipe ideas from all over the world can be called up via an Internet connection.

With just a few clicks you can get original recipes from Indian cuisine, traditional recipes from Italy, or tasty dessert ideas from China. Digitization has not only reached the labor market or education systems, but also everyday life.

Create your own digital cookbook

The constant cutting out of new recipes from magazines and pasting them into your own cookbook is finally over. Anyone who cooks dishes today and would like to keep the recipes for them simply saves them in the digital cookbook. The benefits are clearly visible. No time is needed to cut out the recipe. In addition, hundreds and even thousands of recipes can be stored in a tiny digital device without taking up any space.

Your own cookbook is structured alphabetically. You only have to enter the first letter of the dish and the corresponding page will open. Losing a recipe is now a thing of the past. You can also chat with friends. Anyone who has found a new, super delicious recipe shares it on social media or via a messenger. This makes the digital cookbook the perfect kitchen helper.

Networked with all users

It is particularly practical that every online recipe has a comment field. This gives every user of the website or the app the opportunity to leave a comment on the recipe. Pay attention to the numerous suggestions of other users who are passionate about cooking. You will quickly receive countless suggestions on how you can improve a well-known dish. In addition, these interesting comments open up completely new horizons. Ingredients you would never have thought of are combined to create a dish that will make your taste buds blossom.

Furthermore, all recipes get a rating. In addition to the taste, the amount of work is evaluated. If you want to cook something on the fly, look for a dish that can be prepared without the hassle. If you want to invest a little more time in preparing a unique dish, you can opt for a difficult dish. This gives you the opportunity to improve your cooking and baking skills every day. In addition, this online tool is suitable for losing weight. Because healthy dishes to cook at home are quickly collected here and you have a good overview of them.

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Lifestyle

The Meat Grinder is a Great Help in the Kitchen

If you have a meat grinder at home, you can not only grind various types of meat and even fish yourself. You are also able to produce your own sausage products.

What is a meat grinder?

The meat grinder is definitely not a device from more recent times. It’s more of a kitchen classic. Although the do-it-yourself trend is there, meat grinders are relatively rare in modern kitchens, but actually wrongly so. Because with this machine you can do a lot more than just mincemeat, although that alone is a great advantage.

Nowadays there are many helpers in the kitchen to make your work easier. In addition, the trend is increasingly towards producing a lot of food yourself or processing certain raw materials yourself. For example, many people make their own yogurt, grind their own flour and bake their own bread. Some also use special drying machines to dry fruit, vegetables, or meat. Or it is smoked and cured yourself. With a pasta machine, you can also make many pasta specialties yourself.

Why should you mince your own minced meat?

Anyone who buys their minced meat has no idea what it looked like in one piece. The advantage of making it yourself is that you know exactly what was used for it. The type of meat and the meat parts can be selected correctly for the dishes. For example, for a classic Bolognese, you can choose a nice piece from the breast, shoulder, or leg. If you want a juicy burger, you should choose a piece of roast beef with a slightly higher fat content, or you can add fat.

What to look for in a meat grinder

Since the meat grinder has been around for a long time, it is still available in the classic cast-iron version. These are operated with a hand crank. In order to have enough support, these devices are usually attached to a worktop with a screw clamp. If you want to use such a device, you should have the strength and the will to use your body. If you like it simpler, you can also opt for an electric model with a motor.

This of course makes the work much easier and more convenient. An electric meat grinder is particularly advantageous if you want to try your hand at making sausages, as it allows you to carry out all the work steps yourself. Because with the classic meat grinders, it will be more necessary for a second person to help with the work steps. You should only make sure that the meat grinder has enough power so that it can handle the desired quantities well.

What to look out for when buying

When buying, the material from which the meat grinder is made is important. A good meat grinder should be made of aluminum or stainless steel and the device should have as few plastic parts as possible. Oh, the handling should be easy, so that you can get along well with it.

This means that you have to be able to exchange the corresponding perforated discs and attachments without much effort. The simplicity also applies to cleaning. If it’s an electric meat grinder, there should be multiple speed settings to choose from. A very useful function is the rewind function. If the wolf is clogged, you can quickly solve the problem with the reverse flow. This means that the entire machine does not have to be disassembled and cleaned first.

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Lifestyle

How Children Can Help in the Kitchen

Even the smallest children can help their parents in the kitchen, which is not only fun but also a good experience for the children.

That’s why it makes sense to involve the youngsters in cooking. In this way, the family’s own cooking culture can develop. This often shapes the little ones’ whole lives.

1. Mixing and kneading

Children as young as two can help out with mixing or kneading because it’s fun. Washing fruit or vegetables is just as fun. With the help of the parents, it is even possible for kindergarten children to crack open an egg.

2. Let it squish

Toddlers love to squish or knead a bit. They have fun when they are allowed to do what their parents do. So parents can trust their children. There are even special children’s knives that a child of daycare age can already handle.

3. Plan enough time

So that there is no stress when cooking with the whole family, enough time should be planned. In addition, the parents should not take everything so precisely, but rather be generous. The praise is paramount. The child should be able to recognize for themselves that they have done something well. It’s up to the parents to teach them this to make cooking even more fun.

4. Assistance with the preparations

The children can already be brought on board during the preparations. This allows joint considerations to be made as to what to eat at all. A good suggestion is that everyone can take turns contributing ideas and suggestions.

5. A family cookbook of favorite dishes

It makes sense to create your own family cookbook with your favorite dishes. In this way, all family members can be included. It makes sense to photograph the individual steps of cooking. The result is not only lots of fun cooking but also nice memories of the time spent together in the kitchen.

6. Go shopping together

As soon as it is clear what will be cooked, the children should be taken to go shopping. The shopping list can be written together with school children if they can already read and write. Also, note valuable tips for saving when shopping.

7. A ritual for everyone

In most cases, it is not so easy to have the time to cook together every day due to the parents’ professional everyday life. Nevertheless, eating together should be a ritual. It is possible, for example, to mix together muesli for the next breakfast the night before. Everyone can help set the table for dinner. The best time for conversations is usually when setting the table, baking, or cooking. These moments are priceless.

8. Take advantage of the weekend

At the weekend there is a little more time to bake, cook or shop together, or plan the menus with the digital cookbook. As a result, the family ritual can always shift to the weekend. A child not only gets to know a wide variety of foods but also learns how to cook them. Rules are followed because the parents show them how. This includes not only independent small jobs but also washing your hands. The creativity of the children is immensely encouraged by the good time together.

9. Accessibility for the children

Depending on how old the children are, there are always areas in the kitchen that are not accessible to the little ones. An example of this is the cleaning cupboard. If possible, these areas should be locked with a good child safety device. Otherwise, elevations, such as non-slip stools, may be provided for the children so that the little ones get a better overview.

10. The right height

It makes sense to fill the bottom drawers and shelves with things that the children can’t break. Experience has shown that babies have the most fun playing with pots and lids. It is important that it does not become dangerous for the little ones when they start a climbing action.

11. Beware of boiling water and sharp knives

Children should only be allowed to handle meat knives or boiling water from the age of around twelve. Sharp blades and hot steam are too dangerous for the little ones due to the very high risk of injury. Often there is no point in explaining to the children again and again that something is dangerous because the moment will come and something bad will happen.

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Tips for a Cozy Family Kitchen

A kitchen is a meeting place for many families. It is used to eat, talk and play together. So that you feel comfortable in your kitchen, we have collected tips for designing a cozy family kitchen. It is important to design a child-friendly kitchen when setting up a kitchen in order to minimize the dangers for children.

Design a cozy kitchen

After you have furnished your kitchen child-friendly, it is time for nice activities. This includes not only cooking together or baking cookies at Christmas. If you design a cozy kitchen, great game evenings can also take place here. In general, families can use a kitchen for get-togethers, provided the kitchen has space. And that’s especially good if the other premises offer little space. Therefore, beautify the kitchen, for example, by hanging up photos or posters. Or use the following ideas for more comfort:

1) Family kitchen for game night

You need a tidy table if you want to play board games in the evening. For example Monopoly. And with candles on the table and beautiful wall decorations, you can turn your family kitchen into a cozy common room. Colorful wallpaper can also contribute a lot to a pleasant atmosphere. Although games are usually housed in the living room, they are ideal for an evening at the kitchen table. The children, in particular, like to play “Woman don’t annoy you” or memory, typical games that everyone probably remembers from their childhood.

2) Modern furniture in the family kitchen

If you often meet in the kitchen, then you should also use modern and sustainable furniture, such as a beautiful beech wood dining table and comfortable chairs. Whether the table is round or square depends on the space and furnishings. The modern kitchen also includes an extractor hood that can neutralize odors that occur during cooking.

More and more people are also getting their own TV for the kitchen. Here you have the opportunity to watch your very own television program, even with the children, if your partner wants to watch a detective story. The dining table is an ideal meeting place for this. Well set and with snacks you can even celebrate a small “family party” here.

3) Country style for a cozy kitchen

In recent years, the country house style has come back into the apartments. It is romantic, but also functional and offers a lot of charm. It is called vintage style and many mean “to be able to make new out of old”. The back wall of the kitchen is also important. You can achieve a lot with the right photo wallpaper and create a feel-good atmosphere. The wallpaper should provide a good contrast to the furniture. Then it is comfortable here. The kitchen appliances also play a role. Be it the juicer for a wonderful orange juice or the food processor for future dishes. Also, note ideas for setting up the bedroom.

4) Cozy family kitchen with warm light sources

It is important to bring a warm living light into the family kitchen so that it becomes cozy. Of course, there should also be a bright light, because cooking and preparing food is easier that way. Overall, it’s a matter of taste which light you use in the kitchen, but for a cozy family evening, warm, dimmed light is relaxing and creates the right ambiance. You can also work with colors and light sources when redesigning the bathroom.

5) Open kitchens are good for family life

Open kitchens in the living area are particularly appealing. The whole family can stay here, even if some people are cooking. Family life has taken center stage. Open kitchens bring a relaxed atmosphere into the apartment. However, there is also a negative point here. You need a good extractor hood so that the cooking vapors don’t get into the couch. The color of the kitchen should also match the rest of the living room. No matter how much space you have for the living and kitchen area, you can make it very comfortable with the right decoration and simple tips. In addition, note other tips for setting up an apartment with little money.

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14 Practical Kitchen Helpers for Clever Cooking

Practical kitchen helpers simplify cooking and make the kitchen more fun. We show you the best helpers in the kitchen and for clever cooking.

You just have to have these kitchen gadgets. It doesn’t matter whether you like to cook or not, cooking is easier than ever with practical kitchen helpers.

What do you need kitchen helpers for?

If you like to cook, entertain guests, and just want to be creative in the kitchen, you won’t be able to avoid getting one or the other helpful kitchen helper. Because it makes cooking much easier and faster. And even those who value special preparations and decorations will love certain kitchen gadgets. After all, it is rightly said: “Eat with your eyes”. You can also find out which are the best everyday helpers for the household and which helpers for plants and in the garden should not be missing.

1) Spiralizer for clever cooking

A spiralizer is very handy in the kitchen. So you can cut fresh vegetables quickly and easily without much effort. Since there are different models of these relatively new devices, you should get an overview and inform yourself before you buy them, e.g. in the spiral cutter test – Julienne cutter in comparison.

2) Professional peeler as a practical kitchen helper

A professional peeler for potatoes, asparagus, and vegetables should be in every kitchen. Because they make your work a lot easier when cooking cleverly.

3) The classic smoothie blender

A handy smoothie maker is modern and healthy for feeding the whole family. The stainless steel smoothie mini blender has 300 watts and a Tritan bottle. So you can try out many smoothie recipes in the future and stay fit in everyday life.

4) Jam funnel as a practical kitchen helper

When making jam yourself, you ideally need a jam funnel to fill the jam into the jars. This makes it much easier to fill the jam into the jars without making a lot of mess. There are beautiful filling funnels made of stainless steel that are rustproof and dishwasher-safe.

5) Potato cutter for clever cooking

A clever kitchen appliance to make fries yourself. The French Fry Cutter made of stainless steel is a top gadget for the kitchen as a potato cutter. And if you make your own fries, use our recipe for making your own mayonnaise. Have fun enjoying it!

6) Water filter for the kitchen

You can clean your drinking water with a water filter. That’s why the Brita water filter in the starter package, including 3 graphite filter cartridges, should not be missing in your household. So you never have to carry heavy drinks again.

7) Double-walled coffee maker for coffee lovers

A double-walled French Press coffee pot is ideal for making coffee. The thermal coffee maker from Rosenstein & Söhne is a noble variant made of stainless steel. The advantage of a thermal coffee press is of course that the coffee stays hot for up to 5 hours after boiling.

8) Vacuum sealer as a practical helper in the kitchen

A vacuum sealer is suitable for freezing food. Food stays fresh and durable up to 8x longer when vacuumed. A vacuum sealer is also suitable for sous vide cooking. The CASO vacuum sealer is the test winner at Stiftung Warentest. And this comes with 10 free professional foil bags. In addition, read useful tips on storing food and preserving it.

9) Sparkling water maker as a helpful kitchen gadget

The SodaStream CRYSTAL 2.0 glass carafe water bubbler for sparkling tap water has become indispensable in many households. This saves you heavy towing. It is also available in dishwasher-safe glass bottles. Incl. 1 cylinder and 2 glass carafes 0.6l and modern design. Also, read the advantages of a water bubbler.

10) Use a modern citrus juicer in the kitchen

You can operate the GOURMEO® lemon squeezer made of stainless steel with a 2-year satisfaction guarantee manually. It helps you to make delicious lemon juice, orange juice, or lime juice without much effort. With it, you can cook cleverly and refine some dishes. Also, note tips for using lemons in the household.

11) The world’s best kitchen knives

If you are looking for new kitchen knives, then the Victorinox kitchen knife set is just right for your kitchen. Because these kitchen helpers impress with their ergonomic handle and their sharpness. The modern design is also an eye-catcher. Also, read how to properly sharpen and clean knives and how to sharpen blunt scissors.

12) Reusable baking paper

Environmental protection in the home is becoming increasingly important. If you would also like to make a small contribution, use the GOURMEO® permanent baking film. Because you can simply cut them to size and they are dishwasher-safe. It is therefore reusable and environmentally friendly.

13) Cutting board with containers

If you like to cut the veggies first when cooking, then a chopping board with containers is for you. This way you can cleverly store the cut vegetables until they go into the saucepan without making countless dishes dirty. In addition, it is very space-saving, since the containers are attached directly under the board. In addition, cutting boards made of natural materials such as wood are good. In addition, read useful tips for cleaning the cutting board.

14) A kitchen trolley as an eye-catcher

There are great and beautiful food processors and kitchen trolleys. They serve as storage space and work surface at the same time. Whether super-modern or with a special retro look, there is something for every taste. And you can turn a boring kitchen corner into an eye-catcher. In addition, note the best means and gadgets for cleaning.

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Sesame Oil: Effects and Uses in The Kitchen and For Body Care

Sesame oil has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries as a food and for body care. We explain to you what makes the oil so healthy and how it affects skin and hair.

What makes sesame oil so healthy?

Sesame oil is considered the oldest cooking oil in the world. For thousands of years it has been a popular food, especially in China, India and Japan, and it is hard to imagine Asian cuisine without it. When sesame oil also became popular in India, it quickly became an essential part of Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic medicine, it has also established itself for external use.

Sesame oil is considered a very healthy source of fat, as it consists of around 87% unsaturated fatty acids. It has a particularly high proportion of unsaturated linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. This has a positive effect on cholesterol levels, strengthens heart activity and blood clotting and can prevent osteoporosis and hardening of the arteries.

Other health benefits of the oil result from the content of antioxidants, which are said to have a cancer-preventing effect, as well as the proportion of lecithin and vitamin E.

sesame oil in the kitchen

Depending on how the oil is produced, it is available in different variants:
Cold-pressed and virgin sesame oil has not been heated. As a result, it has a particularly high proportion of valuable and health-promoting ingredients.
With the refined oil, the seeds were previously heated, which means that many of the ingredients are lost. However, heating it also makes it last longer. It is also tasteless and can be used for many dishes.
Sesame oil is also available as light and dark oil. The color of the oil depends on how the seeds were treated before it was made:
The light sesame oil was pressed from the untreated sesame seeds. It has a neutral and mild taste and is particularly suitable for cooking, baking and roasting. For example, if you want to make tahini yourself, you can also use sesame oil.
The dark oil is obtained from roasted sesame. It has a very intense and nutty taste and should therefore be used sparingly. In its raw state, it is often drizzled over a dish at the end to give it an Asian character. This oil is also recommended for the preparation of salad dressings.
Due to the antioxidant content, sesame oil has a very long shelf life and is relatively resistant to light and heat. Nevertheless, you should preferably store it in a cool and dark place. Then it can be stored for up to a year.

Sesame oil as body care

Sesame oil is particularly important in Ayurveda and is used both in the kitchen and for skin care. In massages, it is used as a natural massage oil and is considered a particularly suitable agent for morning oil pulling.

For body care you should use the light and cold-pressed sesame oil. The content of linoleic acid, antioxidants and vitamins makes it a proven remedy for dry and stressed skin. The oil penetrates deep and quickly into the skin and provides it with optimal moisture. It also helps in skin regeneration and strengthens skin cells.

The healthy oil also has the same effect on your hair. You can use it as a nourishing hair treatment especially for very dry and stressed hair or a sensitive scalp:
Simply put the oil in your hair before washing and massage it well into the scalp and hair ends.
Leave it on for at least two hours or overnight.
Rinse gently with lukewarm water and wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
If you struggle with brittle ends in particular or if your hair is difficult to comb through after washing, you can simply massage a few drops of the oil into the hair lengths after washing. This will also give your hair a natural shine.

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Soybean Oil: Effect and Application in The Kitchen and Cosmetics

Native soybean oil is rich in healthy ingredients, for which it has been valued for centuries, especially in Asia. However, not all soybean oil is the same: we will explain what you should pay attention to and how you can use the vegetable oil.

Soybean oil – it depends on the production

Soybeans contain many valuable fatty acids. With cold-pressed, native oil, these are gently pressed from the beans. The native soybean oil is dark, almost brownish and has a strong taste with a slightly nutty note.

The extracted soybean oil is different: This is removed from the beans in an industrial process with the help of solvents. It is lighter in color and has lost many of the healthy ingredients through manufacturing.

Ingredients of Cold Pressed Soybean Oil:
Unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The body can only absorb these fats, such as linoleic acid, through food. He needs them for many bodily functions such as defense against pathogens or the regulation of cholesterol and blood sugar.
Vitamin E acts as a protective shield to protect the body’s cells from damage.
Vitamin K is important for strong bones and is involved in blood clotting.
Lecithins are involved in the metabolism of fats in the liver and thus supply the cells and especially nerve cells with energy.
The isoflavones it contains are also interesting. These are plant hormones and messenger substances.

In the human body, they prevent deposits of cholesterol on the artery walls.
These hormones in soy are similar to the human hormone estrogen and could thus reduce hormonal problems. In Japan, where soy is traditionally included in meals, women experience fewer menopausal symptoms. Japanese studies attribute this to isoflavones.

Soybean oil in the kitchen – versatile

You can cook and fry with soybean oil, but you can also use it cold for salads or vegetable dips.

The smoke point of soybean oil is 230°C, which makes the vegetable oil good for cooking and frying. You should never exceed the smoke point, as the smoke contains harmful gases that can potentially be carcinogenic.

With a healthy mix of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, soybean oil can help lower cholesterol levels.

Attention: Do you tend to allergies and react sensitively to nuts or birch pollen? Then, as a precaution, you should first test soybean oil to see if you can tolerate it.

Skin care with soybean oil

For skin care, soybean oil is a very well-tolerated care oil due to the linoleic acid. The oil is quickly absorbed by the skin without forming an unpleasant greasy film. The linoleic acid binds moisture in the upper layers of the skin so that the skin feels firmer and looks fresher.

You can use soybean oil for daily skin care on all skin types. It doesn’t matter whether you tend to have impure skin or whether your skin dries out and becomes wrinkled with age: the fatty acids in soybean oil care for the skin.

1) Soybean oil for facial care
It is best to use the soybean oil in the evening together with your usual care cream.
Cleanse your face with a mild cleansing cream.
With your moisturizer, put two drops of soybean oil in the palm of your hand and apply the mixture to your face.
Tip: Mix only the amount you need for one application. This has the advantage that you do not need an additional emulsifier that binds the soybean oil and the moisturizer.

2) Soybean oil for body care
Again, you can mix several drops of soybean oil (about five to ten drops) with a moisturizing lotion or aloe vera gel.
You can pamper yourself with an oil pack when your skin is dry due to wind and weather. Spread the soybean oil liberally on your skin and wrap yourself in a sheet (which can get oily). Then lie down under a blanket and treat yourself to a break for half an hour. You can then massage in the residue of the oil or remove it with a damp cloth.
You can also use soybean oil for skin care if you suffer from skin diseases such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis. The soybean oil restores moisture to the dry skin and takes away the itching. However, you should discuss the use with your dermatologist beforehand, especially for the treatment of skin diseases.

Soybean oil – a mass industrial product

Soybean cultivation has increased rapidly worldwide in recent decades. By far the most industrially used soy is grown in the USA and South America. The WWF puts the annual soybean production for 2015 at almost 270 million tons worldwide, with over 80 percent coming from North and South America.

The soy from these regions is mainly used as animal feed. In the industrial fattening of livestock, the main feed is the soybean meal, which was originally a by-product of the production of extracted soybean oil. With increasing global animal fattening, soybean meal is becoming more and more important.

But soybean oil is still widely used in industry and is a cheap vegetable fat that is available in large quantities.

Vegetable margarine and spreads contain soybean oil.
In skin cream and shower baths, soybean oil is added as a care oil.
Soybean oil is also used for bio-diesel (mainly in the USA).
Some printing inks and varnishes also contain soybean oil.

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Peanut Oil: Effect and Application in The Kitchen and Cosmetics

Peanut oil is a classic in Asian cuisine. For us, on the other hand, it’s more of an exotic thing. The oil can be used in many ways. Learn more here.

Peanut oil in the kitchen

There are two types of peanut oil: the cold-pressed, more flavorful, and the refined. The oils differ in how they are made and how they are recommended to be used.

The cold-pressed peanut oil:
…is obtained from dried, peeled and ground peanuts, which are cold-pressed in so-called screw presses.
This manufacturing process protects the aromatic substances of the peanut and gives the oil an intensely nutty taste.
Cold-pressed peanut oil is particularly suitable for refining dishes.
It should not be overheated.
Refined Peanut Oil:
…is produced under the influence of heat and is therefore also suitable for roasting, grilling, boiling and deep-frying.
Its smoke point is very high: at 230 degrees Celsius. In Asia, for example, the oil is often used for wok dishes.
Peanut oil is also ideal for salad dressings. Refined peanut oil is usually cheaper than cold-pressed and can be obtained quite cheaply in the supermarket or Asian market.
Since peanut oil becomes cloudy at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, you should not store it in the refrigerator. A dark, cool storage location is ideal. Whether the oil is suitable for frying or not should be written on the bottle.

Constituents of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a particularly high vitamin E content: it contains around 23.4 milligrams of vitamin E per 100 grams of oil. The vitamin actually consists of a whole group of antioxidants that are said to prevent Alzheimer’s and cancer and rejuvenate skin and hair.
Peanut oil also contains the important vitamins K, which support blood clotting and bone formation, the nerve vitamin B1 and vitamin D, which regulates the calcium content of the blood and supports bone formation.
Peanut oil is also considered healthy because of its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These help lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. 44 percent of the oil consists of diunsaturated fatty acids and 37 percent monounsaturated.
However, the composition of the peanut oil varies depending on the growing area and growing conditions. Attention: Allergy sufferers should first test the oil on their skin.

Peanut oil for skin, hair and body

In addition to using it in the kitchen, you can also use the oil in cosmetics:
Peanut oil nourishes and smoothes the skin. You can even use it for eczema, it compensates for the lack of fat, provides sufficient moisture and relieves the symptoms.
Peanut oil is also suitable for dry lips. The complexion is immediately refined after the application of peanut oil.
Peanut oil is also a good base for massage oil: It absorbs slowly, so you can use it very sparingly. It also works well on its own and supplies the skin with important nutrients.
Peanut oil is also suitable for the hair: it forms a protective film around the hair, which makes the hair supple and stays healthy.
You can also use peanut oil to treat hard skin on your feet thanks to its softening properties. It is best to make a foot mask with peanut oil from one part peanut oil and two parts foot care cream and leave it on for at least ten minutes.
Peanut oil can also be used to make enemas that loosen constipation in the intestines – but only in consultation with a doctor.

Origin and production of peanut oil

Peanuts originally come from South America, where they have been cultivated for over 3000 years. By the way: Peanuts, as the name suggests, grow underground and are not really nuts, but peas.

Peanut cultivation is now widespread around the world. China and India are the largest producers, but peanuts are also grown in West Africa. In dry regions, the peanuts need irrigation because they need about 500 to 1000 millimeters of rainfall per year. The fruits of the plant, which is about 60 centimeters high, can be harvested between July and September. To do this, the whole plant is pulled out of the ground.

The peanuts are then dried for about two weeks to reduce the water content and thus increase the percentage of fat. They are then peeled, sieved and ground, and the oil is then either cold-pressed or extracted using heat in a refining process.

If you buy peanut oil, you should definitely make sure that you buy one that is organic. Then you can be sure that you are buying a high-quality oil. Ideally, the oil also has a Fairtrade seal that guarantees fair cultivation conditions.

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Indian Spices: These are The Most Important For Your Kitchen

Countless Indian spices are used creatively and in a variety of ways in the popular national cuisine. This article gives you an overview of Indian spices and their uses.

Colourful, diverse and intense – this description applies to both India and the country’s spices. Hardly any other kitchen uses such an abundance of spices as the Indian one.

Indian dishes are intense and spicy – and mostly healthy. Many of the spices used stimulate digestion and prevent digestive problems.

You will look in vain for dried spice powders in Indian cuisine. In order to draw from the full intensity of the spices, they are processed fresh. With the help of a mortar, the whole grains are finely ground and roasted right at the beginning so that the essential oils can fully develop.

Indian spices for spiciness

If you order a spicy dish in an Indian restaurant, you should be really sure. Indians love spicy food and know how to prepare it. They are also convinced of the health benefits:

Chilli: The hot pods come in a number of shapes, colors and degrees of heat. In India, the India Jwala chili is particularly popular. Because of its shape, it is also often called snake chili. Here, the variety is rarely available in well-stocked Asian shops. But you can use any variety and even plant your own chillies. The pods are usually processed fresh or as a paste. The capsaicin it contains is not only responsible for the sharpness, but also has some health benefits. According to a study from 2015, the substance has a positive effect on the human circulatory system and metabolism.
Pepper: In addition to black pepper, cayenne pepper is also used. Peppercorns are found in almost all Indian dishes. Especially in southern India it is even common to cook rice with pepper. Unlike most other spices, pepper is only added just before serving, otherwise it will lose its flavor. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, the piperine it contains can also help with weight loss, according to a study by the Indian Journal of Pharmacology.
Ginger: Ginger is not only very popular with us. Whether in dhal, samosas or curry dishes – the tuber is used in almost all dishes. It is usually finely chopped and made into a paste with other spices in a mortar. Ginger gives dishes a pleasant freshness in addition to their spiciness. The active ingredient gingerol also has an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect.

Indian spices for your digestion and health

Many dishes from traditional Indian cuisine are inspired by Ayurvedic health teachings. This is probably the reason why there are so many medicinal plants among the Indian spices:

Turmeric: The root is said to be the most used spice in India. It is not only used in savory dishes such as vegetable curries, fish and meat dishes or chutneys, but is also often used in desserts. Even in the typical Indian spiced rice, turmeric should not be missing. Turmeric provides a spicy, earthy taste and gives the food an intense color. The Freiburg University Hospital has extensively researched the health benefits of turmeric. The tuber helps with a wide variety of digestive problems and counteracts civilization diseases.
Cumin: Also known as cumin, it is one of the warming spices in Ayurvedic teaching and is therefore an important component of many Indian dishes and spice mixtures. The seeds are crushed in a mortar and briefly roasted before use. According to a study from 2008, cumin stimulates digestion and thus prevents problems such as bloating and constipation.
Fennel Seeds: Just like cumin, you should only crush the whole seeds immediately before using them so that they can develop their full aroma. The seeds give hearty dishes a mild, sweet note and help with stomach problems. A mixture of fennel seeds, cumin, anise and sugar pearls is often served in India. Chewing a teaspoon of it should also stimulate digestion.

Christmas on the Indian spice rack

In our part of the world, the following spices are more familiar from the Christmas season. But in India they can be found in countless everyday masalas, the Indian word for spice mixture.

Cinnamon: In India, cinnamon is used in both sweet and savory dishes or tea. The sweet tree bark is an important ingredient in garam masala as well as in chai masala. In addition to the sweet aroma with the subtle sharpness, cinnamon is also healthy. The consumption of cinnamon is said to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels and even help with weight loss.
Cardamom: The sweet capsules are indispensable in Indian cuisine. Although cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world, the capsules can be found in countless dishes. Cardamom is also very popular for spiced rice or tea. The spice is also rich in minerals such as iron and manganese and is used in Ayurvedic teaching for digestive problems.
Cloves: The dried flower buds have an intense aroma and are therefore often combined with other spices. They are cooked whole in spiced rice, whereas they are usually ground beforehand. Cloves are rich in antioxidants and are considered a natural antibiotic due to their antibacterial effect.
Star anise: Star anise is also ground in a mortar or used whole for tea. The spice is supposed to help digest particularly rich and spicy foods. In addition to tea and desserts, it is mainly used for meat dishes.

Other popular spices from Indian cuisine

Many spices from Indian cuisine are also used in Germany and are therefore easily available. But the more exotic spices in particular can only be found in well-stocked Asian shops or on the Internet.

Amchoor: The light yellow powder is obtained from dried unripe mangoes. It gives dishes a sweet and sour note. The powder is rarely available in Germany. Alternatively, you can use some lime juice.
Fenugreek: This Indian spice is still relatively unknown to us. The taste will certainly sound familiar to you, since fenugreek is an integral part of most curry powder mixtures.
Coriander seeds: In many Asian countries, fresh coriander is mainly used, while in India it is mainly the dried seeds that are very popular. Coriander seeds are often combined with cumin.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is often used to refine desserts. But the nutty aroma can also give your golden milk that certain something. It is also an integral part of many spice mixtures, such as garam masala.
Mustard Seeds: Both black and yellow mustard seeds are used in Indian cuisine. The dark seeds are often roasted whole at the beginning with the other spices and give the dish an exciting texture. While the light ones are usually ground up and found in almost all Indian dishes. Their taste spectrum ranges from nutty-mild to intensely hot.

Tamarind: The fruit of the tamarind tree is also called Indian dates. It is often made into a paste and used in desserts or chutneys. The taste is sweet, but at the same time brings an umami note to your dish.

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