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Too Much Salt: This is How Badly The Spice Damages Your Brain

Excessive salt consumption can have a negative effect on blood flow to the brain. According to a recent US study. In the worst case, this can lead to massive brain damage – and permanently.

New US study: Too much salt can cause serious brain damage

The researchers from the University of Georgia examined the influence of salt on the blood flow in the brain and the neurons. The focus was on a specific region in the brain, the hypothalamus. The study found that salt actually slows blood flow to the brain. What the team calls “inverse neurovascular coupling” could lead to hypoxia. Hypoxia (hypoxemia) is a reduced oxygen content in the blood or a lack of oxygen. According to netdoktor.de, irreparable brain damage can occur in such cases.

The researchers establish the connection to salt through a compensation mechanism in the body as soon as salt is consumed. In order to lower sodium levels, the body activates neurons that release the hormone vasopressin. In order for the neurons to be able to operate the salt stimulation for a long time, hypoxia is assumed to be an auxiliary mechanism. According to the researchers, in order to “fight” the salt, the body puts itself into hypoxia.

The approach of the study could be used for future insights into other brain diseases. Until then, it would be advisable for many people to save on salt. In addition to brain diseases, there are other symptoms that can occur with excessive salt consumption.

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Refurbish and Spice up Old Furniture Instead of Throwing it Away

Many will know this wish that it would be time for new furniture again. Finally, the finishes of the furniture may have suffered over time. Or the design is no longer contemporary. But instead of throwing away the old furniture, you can spice up and refurbish the old furniture with simple tricks.

Beautify old furniture with simple tricks

But wooden furniture that is getting on in years is more flexible than you might think. Therefore, a little bit of manual work is often worthwhile to breathe new life into the beloved pieces. Consequently, do not throw away the supposedly old furniture. Instead, you should spice up the old furniture and refresh it with paint. We give you tips on how you can give such furniture a whole new character. This way you can make your household more sustainable and do something good for the environment.

1) Repair damaged and imperfections

Retouching small dents and scratches in wooden furniture is very easy. But the carpenter does not have to come immediately for larger damages! If a border on the shelf has snapped or the clothes rail has given way under heavy load, get the following furniture refurbishment items to repair: Tools (screwdriver, hammer, chisel, or some sandpaper) and the necessary replacement parts (cut wood, screws, nails, and dowels). Also bring some wood paste from the tube and a spatula, more on that later! Loose connections in aging wooden furniture are also common. Then you should react quickly and either tighten them, create a new hold with a dowel with a thread, or better yet, start a new drill hole. You can also easily fill the old hole with some wood paste.

2) Spice up old furniture with new paint

When everything is secure, you can breathe new life into the piece of furniture with a little paint. Painting it yourself is really not difficult if you do a little preparatory work first. And with paint, you can also touch up and conceal small damage to the paintwork. There is an immense range when it comes to choosing paint. For the sake of simplicity, acrylic paint is recommended because it is water-based and does not have a strong smell.

3) Freshen up furniture with adhesive foil

Unfortunately, the budget sometimes doesn’t even come close to realizing these dreams. The simple way out here is to give the furniture a new look with a self-adhesive adhesive film and thus give the apartment more flair. As a result, we have created a step-by-step guide for you. This guarantees that the old furniture will be refurbished with adhesive film. You can also make great wall tattoos yourself with adhesive foil.

  1. Cutting the foil. To do this, the corresponding furniture, which will usually be cupboards, must be measured. It is advisable to measure the surface first. About five to ten centimeters should be added to this measured area. Then the DC Fix is ​​sufficient to stick it into the cabinet except for a few centimeters.
  2. When sticking the furniture surfaces with adhesive film, you should make sure that you start at the top edge. Then the DC Fix should be slowly applied to the surfaces. Depending on the size of the area, a sponge or the lower part of a broom can be used. In this way, the formation of bubbles can be largely avoided. Protruding surfaces should be carefully smoothed out with a razor blade so that the edges of the cabinets look straight. This results in the cleanest cut surfaces at the edges.
  3. Small bubbles that may have formed during gluing can be removed with a needle. This can be used to pierce the blisters. Then the air is carefully rubbed out and the DC Fix is ​​pressed back onto the furniture. The hole will not be noticed. For somewhat larger areas that may arise, a razor blade should be used if necessary. Also, read useful tips for removing stickers.

Care tips for old furniture

To ensure that your freshly painted piece of furniture retains its like-new character for a long time, you should ensure that it is handled correctly. Guests should always be warned to use coasters for damp or hot vessels, otherwise, the wood will swell and take on unsightly discoloration. You should only clean the varnished wood with a little washing-up liquid or soapy water, never with chemical household cleaners. Because they attack the paint. Then wipe over with a damp cloth and finally dry thoroughly. This is how you easily extend the life of your furniture! Also, read tips on caring for antiques and old furniture and how to reattach a loose doorknob.

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Lifestyle

Refurbish and Spice up Old Furniture Instead of Throwing it Away

Many will know this wish that it would be time for new furniture again. Finally, the finishes of the furniture may have suffered over time. Or the design is no longer contemporary. But instead of throwing away the old furniture, you can spice up and refurbish the old furniture with simple tricks.

Beautify old furniture with simple tricks

But wooden furniture that is getting on in years is more flexible than you might think. Therefore, a little bit of manual work is often worthwhile to breathe new life into the beloved pieces. Consequently, do not throw away the supposedly old furniture. Instead, you should spice up the old furniture and refresh it with paint. We give you tips on how you can give such furniture a whole new character. This way you can make your household more sustainable and do something good for the environment.

1) Repair damaged and imperfections

Retouching small dents and scratches in wooden furniture is very easy. But the carpenter does not have to come immediately for larger damages! If a border on the shelf has snapped or the clothes rail has given way under heavy load, get the following furniture refurbishment items to repair: Tools (screwdriver, hammer, chisel, or some sandpaper) and the necessary replacement parts (cut wood, screws, nails, and dowels).

Also bring some wood paste from the tube and a spatula, more on that later! Loose connections in aging wooden furniture are also common. Then you should react quickly and either tighten them, create a new hold with a dowel with a thread, or better yet, start a new drill hole. You can also easily fill the old hole with some wood paste.

2) Spice up old furniture with new paint

When everything is secure, you can breathe new life into the piece of furniture with a little paint. Painting it yourself is really not difficult if you do a little preparatory work first. And with paint, you can also touch up and conceal small damage to the paintwork. There is an immense range when it comes to choosing paint. For the sake of simplicity, acrylic paint is recommended because it is water-based and does not have a strong smell.

Brief instructions on how to paint old furniture

Acrylic paint can be applied with a brush. Be sure to dab the wood with soapy water beforehand, then wipe it off with clear water. This is how applied paint lasts afterward. Now let it dry completely! Then apply the paint evenly but quickly and let it dry. It may need to be recoated several times to get the texture and color right.

3) Freshen up furniture with adhesive foil

Unfortunately, the budget sometimes doesn’t even come close to realizing these dreams. The simple way out here is to give the furniture a new look with a self-adhesive adhesive film and thus give the apartment more flair. As a result, we have created a step-by-step guide for you. This guarantees that the old furniture will be refurbished with adhesive film. You can also make great wall tattoos yourself with adhesive foil.

  1. Cutting the foil. To do this, the corresponding furniture, which will usually be cupboards, must be measured. It is advisable to measure the surface first. About five to ten centimeters should be added to this measured area. Then the DC Fix is ​​sufficient to stick it into the cabinet except for a few centimeters.
  2. When sticking the furniture surfaces with adhesive film, you should make sure that you start at the top edge. Then the DC Fix should be slowly applied to the surfaces. Depending on the size of the area, a sponge or the lower part of a broom can be used. In this way, the formation of bubbles can be largely avoided. Protruding surfaces should be carefully smoothed out with a razor blade so that the edges of the cabinets look straight. This results in the cleanest cut surfaces at the edges.
  3. Small bubbles that may have formed during gluing can be removed with a needle. This can be used to pierce the blisters. Then the air is carefully rubbed out and the DC Fix is ​​pressed back onto the furniture. The hole will not be noticed. For somewhat larger areas that may arise, a razor blade should be used if necessary. Also, read useful tips for removing stickers.

Buy adhesive films on the Internet

This idea can be applied to really all furniture and rooms. Whether kitchen, bathroom, living room, or any other room, each of these rooms has a different atmosphere. There are no limits to the variety of ideas when redesigning old furniture. In a very simple way, the furniture can be changed in appearance by means of adhesive film. You can beautify your apartment with little money and all rooms regularly get a more modern look despite a tight budget.

Care tips for old furniture

To ensure that your freshly painted piece of furniture retains its like-new character for a long time, you should ensure that it is handled correctly. Guests should always be warned to use coasters for damp or hot vessels, otherwise, the wood will swell and become unsightly discolored. You should only clean the varnished wood with a little washing-up liquid or soapy water, never with chemical household cleaners. Because they attack the paint. Then wipe over with a damp cloth and finally dry thoroughly. This is how you easily extend the life of your furniture! Also, read tips on caring for antiques and old furniture and how to reattach a loose doorknob.

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Coriander: Worth Knowing About The Spice and Medicinal Plant

Coriander is not only a delicious spice in Asian cuisine. It also has healing properties. We will show you everything you need to know about the spice and medicinal plant coriander.

Coriander is one of the oldest culinary herbs in the world. Above all, coriander is known from Asian, Arabic or Indian dishes. Fresh coriander leaves have a strong, slightly pungent flavor of their own. Dried or ground coriander seeds taste a little milder. At the same time, the spice contains a substance that has an antibiotic effect (dodecenal) and it contains different essential oils. As a result, coriander has a healing effect – in a completely natural way.

Coriander: Healing properties of the plant

With its health-promoting nutrients, various essential oils and proteins, coriander can help with many ailments. It has a strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and circulation-enhancing effect. It also has a fungicidal effect and thus inhibits the growth of fungi. Coriander has this effect:
Coriander relieves digestive problems (bloating, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome),
reduces chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism,
reduces infections,
inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi,
has an antispasmodic effect,
relieves gastrointestinal complaints,
supports detoxification
relieves bladder infections,
lowers cholesterol and blood sugar,
relieves menstrual cramps,
has an antibacterial effect on salmonella,
heals wounds and ulcers in the mouth.

How to use cilantro for ailments

Cilantro Tea: You can eat cilantro or take it as a tea. Do this by pouring hot water on some fresh leaves and seeds. The tea can help, especially with gastrointestinal or digestive problems. But you can also drink coriander tea if you have a loss of appetite or a bladder infection.
Coriander Oil: You can use coriander oil to make mouthwashes to help fight bacteria in your mouth. You can also apply the coriander oil externally or soak a cloth with a coriander infusion. You can apply both to infections or use them for athlete’s foot or other fungal diseases.

Coriander: cultivation, harvest, storage

You can often find cilantro individually wrapped in plastic in stores. Instead, you can grow it yourself and plant it in a pot in your herb garden on the balcony. Coriander grows up to 60-90 centimeters high. It has a short flowering period of June and July. In these months you can harvest it. The seeds can be harvested from August to September.

Coriander grows back in the pot. Once you have harvested your cilantro, place it in a glass of water. That makes it last longer. Coriander seeds remain aromatic for a long time when stored in a dark, cool and airtight place.

Coriander in the kitchen

In addition to tea and Asian dishes, you can also add coriander or coriander seeds to your smoothie or chopped into your vegetable soup. Or you season salads or spicy dishes with it. Add the cilantro and its stalks just before the end, or sprinkle them fresh over your dish on the plate. You can also prepare dips or make a coriander pesto yourself. A little coriander in your homemade bread is also delicious.

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Turmeric (Curcumin), The Indian Spice With Medicinal Properties

In Asia, especially in India, turmeric (curcumin) has been an integral part of the local cuisine for around 4000 years. The intense yellow root of the turmeric plant is part of every curry spice and is therefore included in almost all dishes. The tuber has been used in the traditional Indian healing art of Ayurveda for as long as turmeric has been in pots.

The yellow root is said to be a true medicinal miracle. It is said to help prevent or even heal cancer, alleviate depression and arthrosis symptoms, prevent Alzheimer’s, help with stomach and intestinal problems, act against inflammation and much more. In Europe, the ginger plant has been known since the Middle Ages. But only now does turmeric as a medicinal plant seem to be able to do what was not possible as a spice: conquering domestic households. Utopia has collected the most important facts about the miracle spice for you.

Interesting facts about the plant

Turmeric, scientific name Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, is a subspecies of the turmeric plants that belong to the ginger family. The turmeric plant mainly grows in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. India is the world’s largest producer of turmeric, but also consumes around 80 percent of the world’s harvest. The herbaceous plant grows about one meter high and forms a so-called rhizome (sprout) just above the ground. The “turmeric tuber” is actually this rhizome, which is intensely yellow-orange in color. As a real tropical plant, turmeric loves high humidity, sun, warmth and rather dry soil. Nevertheless, turmeric can also be grown in Europe: in greenhouses or conservatories, where the temperature does not fall below 18°C, the relatively undemanding exotic plant also grows in pots at home.

Turmeric powder, the Indians’ favorite spice

While the fresh tuber is grated and used in Thai cuisine, turmeric powder is on the spice shelf in India and Europe. For this, the rhizome of the turmeric plant is dried and ground. The drying process is the trickiest part because curcumin, the powerful yellow ingredient, is very delicate and volatilizes quickly. Traditionally, the tubers are dried in the sun, but special drying equipment is used for industrial production. The Indians use the powdered turmeric for countless dishes. The yellow powder is an essential ingredient in all curry mixes and curry pastes, as well as in all masalas apart from the red one. And traditional Indian dishes such as lentil stew would be unthinkable without turmeric powder.

Turmeric as a spice: recipes to try

If you love exotic dishes or want to add a healthy spice to your diet, do as Indians do and try a turmeric recipe. The tuber tastes a bit tart when fresh, but when dried it is mildly spicy and just a bit bitter. An easy way to experiment in the kitchen is to add some turmeric when cooking rice to give the rice a special touch. An aromatic Indian spiced rice is made from this with vegetables and other spices. Turmeric is also a classic for soups, for example as a yoghurt soup with turmeric.

Turmeric for drinking: tea and latte

Warm drinks are always in demand, especially in the colder months of the year. Turmeric can be used as a tea for colds and sore throats, but also acts as a means of warmth from within. But the insider tip for a warm power drink is a completely different one: turmeric latte, better known as golden milk. For this purpose, a special turmeric paste is stirred into warm milk (cow’s milk or plant-based milk substitute) and possibly sweetened. After chai, the actually gold-colored drink is probably the new drink next winter.

What else is turmeric used for?

Turmeric is not just a spice. As the name turmeric suggests, the bulb turns an intense yellow; it is also significantly cheaper than the yellow coloring saffron. Turmeric has therefore long enjoyed great popularity in the food industry as a natural coloring agent in mustard, sauces and pasta. The yellow pigment is called curcumin – and it is precisely this component that makes turmeric a remedy for many diseases in the ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda. And modern medicine has long since discovered the spice as a medicine from nature, and studies have been dealing with the effects of curcumin for years. The main focus was on the anti-cancer or anti-cancer effects and anti-depression effects.

Medicinal effects of turmeric (curcumin)

In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is often used as an anti-inflammatory and digestive-regulating agent. The anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric is said to provide relief from arthrosis, rheumatism and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. In 2012, curcumin was tested as an arthritis drug for an Indian study and brought very positive results.

The same anti-inflammatory properties may also be responsible for the possible anti-carcinogenic effect. The tuber shows potential especially in the prevention of colon cancer and the prevention of metastases in common types of cancer such as breast or prostate cancer. But curcumin has also been used to treat metabolic diseases such as diabetes or to treat Alzheimer’s and prevent heart attacks (University Hospital Freiburg). Recently, turmeric is also being discussed as a natural remedy for depression. In a 2014 study, curcumin was found to be as effective as a traditional antidepressant in similar circumstances.

Medicinal miracle turmeric (curcumin)?

A 4000-year-old tradition in phytomedicine and numerous studies on its effectiveness: So is turmeric the miracle cure of the future against the health plagues of modern civilization? That is not entirely true with the proven effectiveness. Although turmeric proved to be effective in all tests, these study results are only initial indications and not proof of a medical miracle from nature (Apotheken Umschau). Research on the effects of curcumin on cancer has been tested either in test tubes or on animals. The extent to which this can be transferred to humans has yet to be tested (mt).

The study results on the subject of depression also have weaknesses: too small a sample, too short a duration or financed by the manufacturer of the turmeric preparation. This means that an effect can be assumed, but it is not certain (mt). Nevertheless, the Indian spice is one of the great hopes for the future for the natural treatment of various diseases.

Is Turmeric Healthy?

Regardless of the medical effect, curcumin is still healthy. The spice from India regulates digestion, stimulates the formation of bile and, like ginger, has an anti-inflammatory effect on arthrosis and similar complaints. Seasoning your food with turmeric from time to time is therefore certainly not a bad idea. In India, for example, where turmeric has been used as a flavoring for thousands of years, the number of people suffering from colon cancer or depression is significantly lower than in the USA or Europe.

There are only two cases in which caution is advisable: in diseases of the gallbladder and in pregnant or breastfeeding women. For pregnant women, there is still too little reliable research to be able to say that turmeric is harmless. In the case of gallbladder disease, stimulating the gallbladder with curcumin could actually make symptoms worse.

How to Use Turmeric: Capsules or Powder?

As a spice, turmeric powder is of course more suitable. But for an effect on osteoarthritis or stomach problems, you would have to consume two or three tablespoons of powder every day – that much is not in a dish. And pure, the turmeric powder is very dry and tastes bitter in large quantities. In addition, curcumin is poorly soluble in water. From tea, golden milk or curry dishes, too little of the active ingredient gets into the body, even if consumed daily. In this case, turmeric capsules are the solution. They contain highly concentrated curcumin in the right amount to enable an effect. In addition, the active ingredient in the capsules, which is sensitive to light and air, does not evaporate so quickly.

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Black Pepper – Effect and Application of The Medicinal Spice

Apart from salt, no other spice is used as frequently in German cuisine as black pepper. What many people don’t know, however, is that black pepper has long been considered a remedy and has numerous health benefits.

How is black pepper different from other types of pepper?

Whether white, green, red or black pepper – all come from the same plant species, the pepper bush (Piper nigrum). Depending on the time of harvest and further processing, the peppercorns then get their specific color.

For the black pepper, the unripe, green peppercorns are harvested and stored in heaps for a few days. The grains are then dried in the sun.

The types of pepper differ not only in appearance, but also in the degree of sharpness, the taste and the composition of their components. White and black pepper are the hottest and have the highest levels of piperine — see why this ingredient is so important below.

use in the kitchen

From sweet to savory – pepper goes well with almost every dish. So it is not surprising that it is the second most used spice in German cuisine after salt. At least one type of pepper is therefore included in numerous spice mixtures.

The black pepper has a particularly hot aroma and a light citrus note. White pepper, on the other hand, is less aromatic and fruity, while green pepper is mild and has a light herbal note. The fully ripe red pepper is rarely eaten in this country due to its perishability.

Tip: Pepper that has already been ground has already lost large parts of its ingredients and aroma. Therefore, always use whole grains that you grind freshly just before use.

Black pepper – the most important active ingredients

Pepper contains over 200 different components. From a medical point of view, the most interesting is the alkaloid piperine. Numerous health-promoting effects are attributed to this ingredient. The traditional areas of application range from colds and flu to digestive problems and diabetes to rheumatic diseases and muscle pain.

Recent human studies have demonstrated its digestive, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic and antiasthmatic effects, among other things. Also, it is scientifically proven that piperine promotes the absorption of nutrients as well

antifungal
antioxidant
expectorant
anti-inflammatory
antimicrobial
works (see review from 2017). The Federal Center for Nutrition emphasizes above all the digestive effect – since piperine stimulates the saliva and gastric juice secretion. The list of potential applications is impressively long.

Other important ingredients are various essential oils, flavonoids and various piperine derivatives.
An English-language Open Access Scientific Report from India provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous active ingredients and areas of application of black pepper.

Piperine as a bioenhancer

Piperine also deserves special attention because it increases the bioavailability of various other components. Such substances are called bioenhancers. Piperine was the first bioenhancer identified in 1979 – and is still considered the most effective substance of this kind.

The most prominent partner substance whose bioavailability is increased by piperine: curcumin, the most important active ingredient in turmeric. When combined with piperine, the effectiveness of curcumin is increased by up to 20 times. That is why it is often recommended to add some black pepper to turmeric for medicinal purposes – as is done with the healing golden milk. Black pepper is also said to increase the bioavailability of selenium, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Use black pepper effectively and safely

If you want to benefit from the health effects of black pepper, you can of course add the spice to your food as usual. You should not cook the pepper at the same time, but only add it to the finished dish at the end.

However, if you want to use the black pepper specifically for colds and illnesses, you can use a higher dose. The already mentioned golden milk with a high pepper content is ideal for this. You can also add freshly ground pepper to your tea – for example in combination with fresh turmeric. Pepper is also popular with colds when combined with hot milk and honey.

possible side effects

In general, black pepper is considered very safe. However, you should never consume the ground spice individually, as the particles could get into the lungs and irritate them severely. If you suffer from acute stomach or intestinal problems, you should discuss the application with your doctor beforehand. You should also avoid large amounts of black pepper during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Cardamom: Effects and Uses of The Spice

Cardamom is one of the most expensive and exclusive spices in the world. Not only the unique taste makes cardamom so special: The capsules have been valued for their medicinal properties for centuries.

The spice cardamom is obtained from the capsules of the cardamom bushes, which can grow up to five meters high. A distinction is usually made between two types:

Green cardamom: The variety is native to southern India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Iraq. Green cardamom is now also cultivated and exported in Guatemala, Madagascar and Vietnam.
Black cardamom: The spice comes from China and is now primarily cultivated in Nepal.
The capsules of the cardamom plants are harvested when they are still unripe, otherwise they would open and lose the seeds. The yellowish-green capsules are then dried. In the growing areas, the leaves of the perennials are also used. Their taste is strongly reminiscent of cinnamon, which is why they are mainly used for tea or desserts.

By the way: Cardamom belongs to the ginger family, which is why, like ginger, it forms underground rhizomes. However, only the above-ground capsules with the seeds they contain are used.

Cardamom: spice with medicinal properties?

Although cardamom was already valued by the Romans for its digestive properties and was considered an aphrodisiac by the Arabs, the spice has not yet been extensively scientifically researched.

In addition to starch and protein, the aromatic capsule contains the following ingredients, among others:
essential oils
antioxidants
manganese
iron
Cardamom is said to have many different effects:
According to the report by nutritionist Dr. Uwe Siedentopp, the spice has a gall-stimulating and deflating effect. In Ayurvedic health science, cardamom is therefore considered an important remedy for various digestive problems.
The intense smell of the spice is said to counteract bad breath and help against the smell of garlic or alcohol.
In animal experiments on mice and rats, an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect could also be demonstrated. The extent to which this can be transferred to humans is questionable. Nevertheless, cardamom is often used for menstrual cramps.
In India, cardamom is also traditionally used to treat colds and respiratory diseases. Cardamom is said to have an expectorant effect and thus relieve symptoms. However, there is no scientific evidence for this.
The effects of cardamom are mainly attributed to its high content of essential oils. In order to preserve these, it is important that you do not overheat cardamom. It’s best to add the seasoning just before serving.

Cardamom in the kitchen: A special aroma for sweet and savory dishes

Cardamom has a slight tart note and is sweet at the same time. This extraordinary combination makes the spice an indispensable ingredient in chai tea, for example. But cardamom is also well suited for refining coffee.

In India, cardamom is considered the “queen of spices”. There, the capsule is used for both savory dishes and desserts. So it is not surprising that cardamom is an important component for spice mixtures such as curry powder or garam masala.

We know the spice mainly from the Christmas season as an ingredient for biscuits such as speculoos or mulled wine. Cardamom is far more diverse:
It is ideal for dishes with fruit, such as compote. Cardamom goes particularly well with apples, pears or oranges.
Similar to cloves, you can also cook cardamom in rice to give it a special touch. Of course, this also works with rice pudding.
Cardamom is also suitable for savory dishes. Meat and fish can be refined with it just as well as vegetable pans.

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Tonka Bean: Taste and Effect of The Spice Plant

The taste of tonka beans is intense and unique. You can use the spice to refine desserts and sweets, for example. Here you can find out where tonka beans come from, how you use them and how they work.

Tonka beans are the elongated seeds of the tonka bean tree. Although this belongs to the legume family, it has little in common with the legumes we know. Tonka beans are brownish-black and a few centimeters long. The seeds are encased in the yellow fruits of the tonka tree.

onka trees are found in Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, among others. Due to the great demand for the newly discovered spice, tonka beans are now also grown in other parts of South America, in Trinidad, as well as in Kenya and Nigeria. The tonka beans available in this country mostly come from Venezuela and Nigeria.

Tonka Bean: taste of the exquisite seeds

Tonka beans have a floral-sweet aroma and their taste is reminiscent of vanilla and bitter almonds. In haute cuisine, tonka beans are among the most important spice discoveries of recent years. Even if it is still relatively unknown in Germany, the seed is being used more and more frequently in fine desserts and sweet dishes.

You can refine creams, cakes, sweet pastries or ice cream with tonka beans. The fine floral note of the tonka bean is particularly good in panna cotta or crème brulée, for example. But you can also refine hearty dishes such as red cabbage, pumpkin soup or mashed potatoes with the taste of tonka beans.

Using tonka beans: tips for the kitchen

Tonka beans are only available dried from us and are therefore very hard. To use them in the kitchen, grate them with a nutmeg grater. But be careful: A small amount is sufficient, otherwise the taste of the tonka beans will quickly become too intrusive.

Alternatively, you can soak whole tonka beans in rum or boil them for milk or cream-based desserts. To do this, boil the tonka beans in milk or cream for ten minutes and let them soak overnight. Depending on the recipe, one or two beans are enough. Thanks to the intense taste, you can reuse the tonka beans up to ten times this way.

By the way, tonka beans are used not only as a spice, but also as a fragrance. As early as the 18th century, tonka beans were put in the laundry in Venezuela, leaving them with a pleasant scent. Tonka beans are also used for perfume, tobacco and aromatherapy.

Flavorful tonka bean: healthy or dangerous?

Among the natives of South America, the tonka bean is not only known for its taste. It has always been regarded as a medicinal plant with magical powers. It was said to have protective and lucky powers and the beans were carried as lucky charms. The scent of the seeds is said to have a mood-enhancing and erotic effect. Tonka beans are still used in folk medicine today. However, these effects have not been scientifically proven.

Today, tonka beans are best known for their relatively high coumarin content. On average, this is two to three percent, but can also be up to ten percent.

Coumarin is a flavoring substance that is also found in cassia cinnamon, among other things, and is liver-damaging in large quantities.
This flavoring was also suspected of being carcinogenic for a long time, which is why tonka beans were banned in Germany for some time. This was the result of animal experiments, but could not be confirmed in humans according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). The import of the spice plant has been permitted again since 1991.
According to the BfR, a daily intake of up to 0.1 milligrams of coumarin per kilogram of body weight is harmless. So if you don’t season generously with tonka beans every day, you don’t have to fear the coumarin it contains. Nevertheless, the following applies: Use tonka beans sparingly – a small amount is sufficient for seasoning.
On the other hand, tonka beans are valued for their coumarin content, as the substance is also used medicinally. Coumarins (coumarin derivatives) are used as anticoagulant drugs.

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Curry Leaves: Origin and Use of The Spice

Curry leaves are popular for cooking, especially in Asian cuisine. The leaves are rather unknown to us, but they are said to have health benefits. Here you can learn more about the effects and uses of curry leaves.

The dark green, oval leaves of the curry tree are called curry leaves. It belongs to the rue family and reaches a height of four to six meters.

Attention, do not confuse:
Curry leaves have nothing in common with classic curry powder. Because curry powder is an English spice mixture made from various Indian spices.
The curry tree is also not related to the curry herb. The herb comes from the Mediterranean region and grows up to 60 centimeters tall.
In this article, you will learn where curry leaves come from and how to use them in the kitchen.

Curry leaves: origin and effect

The curry tree is native to the Indian subcontinent. The tree is now widespread in large parts of Asia, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. For the sale of the curry leaves, cultivation takes place mainly in India.

The leaves are oval and distinctly darker on top than on their underside. Curry leaves are not only valued in Asian cuisine. The leaves are also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. This is due to the valuable ingredients in the leaves. These include, among others:
flavonoids
antioxidants
phenolic acid
essential oils
Scientists have also studied the effects of curry leaves in recent years. They came to the following conclusions:
In 2016, the European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research succeeded in proving the antibacterial effect of the leaves in a study. Researchers consider the leaves to be a possible alternative to antibiotics for multi-resistant germs.
Another study from 2014 looked at the antioxidant effects of the leaves. The active ingredients of the curry leaves reduce oxidative stress, fight free radicals and support the body in cell renewal. This effect could also play a role in the treatment of cancer patients in the future.
In addition, the ingredients have a positive effect on blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as a study found out in 2012.

Cooking with curry leaves

Curry leaves have a spicy, slightly nutty, pungent aroma. Since curry leaves come from Asia and only develop their full flavor when fresh, they are not very common here. You are most likely to get curry leaves in well-stocked Asian shops. Unfortunately, they are hardly available in organic quality.

Curry leaves are particularly good for these dishes:
vegetarian curry
vegetable stew
asian soup
chutney
How to use curry leaves:
Depending on the size, you will need one to four leaves for a meal for four people.
Fry the curry leaves so that they develop their aroma as best as possible.
Cook the curry leaves along with the other ingredients, similar to bay leaves.
You can remove the leaves before serving, but you can also eat them without any problems.
You can usually get the leaves from us in dried form. However, since they lose a large part of their aroma when they dry, you should double the amount from recipes. If you are lucky and have large quantities of fresh curry leaves, it is best to freeze them to benefit from their full aroma for longer.

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Food

Herbs de Provence: These Herbs Are in The Spice Mixture

A mixture of French kitchen herbs is called Herbs de Provence. Here you can find out what is in the popular mixture, how you can make it yourself and which dishes particularly benefit from the taste.

Herbs de Provence is a mixture of classic southern French kitchen herbs. Most grow wild in the Provence region and are popular in French cuisine. However, the mixture in this form is largely unknown in Provence itself. Rather, the mixture was invented for tourists so that they can take a touch of Provence home with them.

The name “Herbs of Provence” is not legally protected. Therefore, the composition of the mixture varies greatly. However, the following herbs are found in most blends:
rosemary
oregano
savory
thyme
Since the region is also known for its lush lavender fields, lavender flowers are often added. Furthermore, these ingredients are also often found in conventional mixtures:
laurel
sage
juniper
basil
fennel
lovage
chervil

Mix herbs de Provence yourself

Ready-made spice mixtures from the supermarket often have little in common with Provence. The alleged herbs of Provence often come from Asia, Eastern Europe or the Arabian region.

You need these ingredients for your own “Herbs of Provence” mixture:
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon savory
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon of lavender flowers
You can change the classic spice mix according to your taste or optionally add other herbs mentioned above.

How to make your mix:
Use dry herbs for the herb mix. If you have freshly picked the herbs, you must first dry them.
Crush the dried herbs with a mortar, spice grinder or a suitable blender.
Place the herbs in a sealable jar and shake the jar with the lid on to mix the herbs.
Store the herbal mixture in a dark place so that the aroma lasts as long as possible.

How to use herbs de Provence

Herbs de Provence can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. The popular mixture gives various dishes a typical Mediterranean touch.

So that the taste can develop fully, it is best to cook the herbs longer. Here you get inspiration for the Mediterranean herbal mixture:
Herbs de Provence are often used for stews and soups in particular.
The mixture lends a Mediterranean touch to vegetable dishes with zucchini, aubergines, potatoes and tomatoes. The herbs harmonize particularly well with the French classic ratatouille.
The fine herb mixture refines herb quark, homemade herb butter or pesto.
Herbs de Provence are also good for marinades or for preparing herbal oil.

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