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Veganism Definition: This is What Makes Vegans Special

What is the exact definition of veganism? We present a common definition of the term and show you why people live vegan.

Vegan diet, vegan fashion, vegan cosmetics, vegan cleaning products… You must have come across the term “vegan” quite often in recent years. But do you also know what exactly is behind it?

Veganism is being consistently practiced by more and more people out of conviction. But how exactly is the term actually defined? Below you will learn two definitions of veganism.

Veganism: A definition of the Vegan Society

The Vegan Society was founded in the UK in November 1944 and was the first association of its kind. A registered charity, it supports, promotes, informs and provides advice on veganism on various aspects of vegan living.

The founding of the Vegan Society was an important event for veganism. World Vegan Day is celebrated today on the anniversary of the event, November 1st. One of the founding fathers was Donald Watson, who also invented the term “vegan”.

The Vegan Society definition of veganism used today dates back to 1979 and reads as follows:

“Veganism is a way of life which seeks to avoid, as far as practicable, all forms of exploitation and cruelty to suffering animals for food, clothing and other purposes; and subsequently promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In terms of nutrition, this means eliminating all products that are wholly or partly derived from animals.”

Various definitions of veganism in use

Of course, the Vegan Society’s definition of veganism is not the only one. There are many variations on this definition; sometimes broader, sometimes more specific. Another easy-to-understand example is PETA’s definition of veganism, which you can read on their website:

“Vegans are people who do not consume animal products such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. They also do not wear clothing or shoes made of animal materials such as leather, fur, down or wool. They only use cosmetic products and cleaning products that do not contain any animal ingredients and have not been tested on animals. In addition, vegans do not go to zoos, do not attend circuses with animals, and do not ride horses in their free time. In short: Vegan people avoid using animals or animal products in all areas of life.”

This definition of veganism goes one step further than that of the Vegan Society and also addresses animal husbandry for recreational purposes.

Living Vegan: Why?

The reasons why people decide to adopt a vegan lifestyle are as diverse as the existing definitions of veganism. The majority do it for ethical and moral reasons, but there are also more pragmatic triggers.

These are possible reasons for a vegan life:

Many people live vegan for the sake of the animals – because they reject factory farming, the shredding of male chicks or the forced pregnancy of female cows, for example.
Another important factor is the environment. Keeping animals requires vast amounts of resources such as water and feed. In addition, large areas are used for the cultivation of fodder and enormous amounts of methane are emitted, for example by cows.
Some people are vegan for their own health. Eating a lot of meat leads to increased cholesterol levels. In addition, people with high meat consumption are said to have an increased risk of diabetes, for example.
Last but not least, starving people also play a role. According to Welthungerhilfe, 822 million people worldwide suffer from hunger and two billion from malnutrition. Farming land that could be used to grow food for them is used for animal feed instead.

Vegan diet: This is what it looks like according to the veganism definitions

Basically, according to the veganism definitions presented above, vegan nutrition means that all animal products are avoided. These include meat, eggs, dairy products and honey. If you are looking for guidance on suitable vegan foods, the food pyramid for vegan nutrition will help.

According to the definition, a vegan diet is based on:

vegetables and fruit
grain and potatoes
protein products
nuts and seeds
oils, fats and salt
as well as of course drinks and luxury products such as vegan sweets, alcohol and snacks.

The vegan food pyramid roughly indicates how much a person should eat from each category per day. For example, she suggests about 400 grams of vegetables and 300 grams of fruit for a day. You should only consume a small, conscious portion of sweets and snacks per day.

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Cooking Tips

Cooking Asparagus: This is How Long Green and White Asparagus Take

If you want to cook asparagus, you should read this guide. You have to cook asparagus gently and over low heat. Here you can find out what else you need to know about white and green asparagus.

If you want to cook asparagus, you should know the following: White and green asparagus differ not only in appearance, but also in harvesting and cooking time. White asparagus grows underground, green asparagus above ground, and the latter therefore cooks much faster than white asparagus.

Cooking white asparagus: Cooking time and cooking test

Here’s what you need to cook white asparagus for two:

1 kg of white asparagus spears
2 tsp salt
1 tsp butter or vegan margarine
1 pinch of sugar
optional: 1 slice of organic lemon
How to cook white asparagus:

Peel the asparagus first. Because even if you cook the skin of the white asparagus longer, it will not become soft.
Place the asparagus spears in a large pot or pan of boiling water. It is important that the poles are completely covered with water.
Add salt, sugar and butter or margarine. The sugar softens possible bitter substances. You can also add a slice of organic lemon. This provides a slightly fresher taste and makes the white asparagus shine.
Briefly boil the asparagus and then let it cook over low heat. How long depends on the thickness of the asparagus spears. A rule of thumb:
Grade I: cook for 10 to 15 minutes
Grade II: cook for 8 to 10 minutes
Cooking test: If you lift the asparagus spears with a fork, they will bend downwards. Depending on whether you want the asparagus to be soft or al dente, they should bend more or less. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can pierce the ends of the asparagus spears with a knife – the asparagus tastes best when it is soft and yet has resistance.

Tip: Asparagus works particularly well in an asparagus pot. Place the asparagus spears upright so you can cook them standing up. However, this does not change the cooking time. You can prepare the white asparagus particularly gently in the steamer. At 100 degrees Celsius, the asparagus spears also need between ten and 15 minutes.

Boil or fry green asparagus

To peel green asparagus you only have to remove the outer layer in the lower third. The shell in the upper area is very soft.

How to cook green asparagus:

Add two teaspoons of salt, a pinch of sugar and a slice of organic lemon to the cooking water and let the asparagus spears cook over low heat.
Green asparagus is ready after just six to eight minutes. If you have very thin sticks, they can be cooked after five minutes.
Never cook green asparagus in water for too long. Otherwise the asparagus head will quickly become mushy.
You can also find out whether the asparagus are ready with the green asparagus with the fork test or by piercing them (see white asparagus).
Fry green asparagus:

Put some oil or butter in a pan.
Fry the asparagus spears or asparagus pieces over high heat for about five minutes.
Turn them regularly.
Then season them with salt and white pepper.

Recipe tip: Make a soup from asparagus broth

When the asparagus is done, the asparagus water remains. You can use this to cook a delicious asparagus soup instead of pouring the broth away. You need the following ingredients per liter of asparagus water:

200 ml organic cream or vegetable cream substitute,
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tablespoons organic flour,
some salt, pepper and fresh chives.
Preparation:

Put the butter or margarine in a saucepan and heat it up.
Put some flour in the saucepan and mix it with the melted butter to make a roux.
Mix the finished roux with the asparagus water and the cream.
Thicken the soup with some flour dissolved in water if it is too runny for you.
Then all you have to do is boil them up and season with salt and pepper.

Shopping tips for asparagus

Even if the first asparagus is often available in the supermarkets in March, the asparagus season in Germany does not start until mid-April. Bad weather can also delay the harvest time for asparagus cultivation by up to eight weeks.

The asparagus in March, on the other hand, comes from heated fields that are often covered with plastic sheeting. High energy consumption and unnecessary plastic make asparagus a small environmental sin. Imported asparagus is also not recommended, since the long transport routes lead to high CO2 emissions.

If you want to cook asparagus, it is best to buy it from the region and if possible in organic quality. This is how you can be sure that the asparagus is free of chemical-synthetic pesticides.

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Food

Vegan Shopping List for Supplies and Every Day: This is What You Need

The vegan shopping list serves as a help and inspiration for your next purchase. It contains all the basics you need for vegan cooking. Here are the foods that should not be missing from any vegan shopping list.

This vegan shopping list should serve as inspiration, which you can of course always adapt to your own needs and recipe ideas. The fact that a vegan diet leads to undersupply and deficiencies is not necessarily correct. What you’re most likely to be missing is vitamin B12, which is mainly found in fish, dairy, and eggs. If you follow an exclusively vegan diet, you may need to get vitamin B12 through supplements. Talk to a doctor about it.

The key to successful nutrition lies in natural, unprocessed food diversity. These basics should serve as the building block for a natural, unprocessed, sustainable diet with an adequate supply of nutrients.

The elephant portion of your vegan shopping list: veggies

Your healthy vegan diet should consist mostly of fresh vegetables. Ideally three servings (about 400 grams) per day. Ideally, buy seasonal, regional and organic.

Remember: conventional vegetables are better than no vegetables at all. The best place to buy fresh, regional and seasonal vegetables is at the weekly market or in an organic shop. You can now also find unpackaged organic vegetables in many “normal” supermarkets.

You should eat a large proportion of it raw or cook it gently so that the vitamins and minerals are not lost.

must-haves

Seasonal salads
potatoes
Spinach (frozen possible)
onions
Expand your Must Haves individually with the current seasonal vegetables. The seasonal calendar gives you a clue.

Fruit in as many different colors as possible

You can find fruit in all colors of the rainbow. Each color brings different nutrients with it. Eat as varied as possible! Due to the carotenoids, fruit is particularly rich in secondary plant substances. Raw fruit also provides you with more nutrients than cooked. Are you afraid of fructose? Do not worry. As long as you eat the whole fruit, you can’t eat too much fructose. Before you are full.

Must haves here are all fruits that are seasonal and regional!

apples
Local berries, e.g. raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, juniper berries
plums
Grapes
pears
oranges
The same applies here: Adjust your vegan shopping list by giving preference to regional and seasonal fruits.

Tip: simply freeze in-season fruit for later use. So you always have frozen fruit in stock for delicious smoothies. However, you should not freeze fruit that contains a lot of water. We have tips on how to properly freeze food without plastic.

Dry goods should not be missing on the vegan shopping list

  1. proteins:

Dietary proteins provide the body with essential amino acids, which it needs to build muscles, organs, cartilage, bones, skin, hair and nails.

must-haves

Beans: Black, white, or kidney beans.
Tofu: Smoked, fermented or marinated yourself.
Pseudo-nuts, i.e. these are called nuts, but actually belong to a different food group: peanuts, these belong to the legumes.
Tempeh (fermented soy product)
Chickpeas: Oven baked or used as hummus.
Lentils: Red, green or beluga: As a lukewarm salad, as pasta or dal.
Yeast flakes: Can be used as a cheese substitute, Parmesan-like taste.
A note on legumes: Buy them dry and cook them yourself, they’re cheaper and available in bulk stores in any quantity. By the way: legumes are also one of the many causes of flatulence.

2. Healthy Fats:

Monounsaturated fatty acids are easily digestible and easily digestible. They help to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, protect the organs and also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. So: Don’t be afraid of the right fat! When using oils, those with a favorable fatty acid spectrum should be selected. This means above all the supply of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Vegetable fats, such as those found in olive oil or avocados, are also included.

must-haves

Walnuts: As a snack or as a porridge topping.
Linseed oil: In the smoothie or in the muesli.
Regional superfood Linseed instead of chia seeds from abroad, these contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids.
Hemp seeds: Over the muesli or in the smoothie.
Tahini: For sauces or mixed with date syrup as a spread.
Nut butter: In porridge or in smoothies.
Seeds & Kernels: In the salad or as a granola.

3. Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our body. We need carbohydrates to maintain our brain, breathing, metabolism, heartbeat and body temperature. When we exercise, we need even more of it.

must-haves

Oatmeal: You can use these to make oatmeal, among other things.
Wholemeal bread: How you can bake this yourself is explained here: Bake wholemeal bread yourself: Recipe for moist bread.
Wholemeal Rice: Wild rice, red or whole grain.
Wholemeal pasta or pasta made from hemp, lentils or buckwheat.
Millet: Also popped for your muesli.
Quinoa: Cooked or flaked for overnight oats.
Buckwheat: You can sprout or boil the buckwheat.

Herbs and spices add flavor to your vegan shopping list

We primarily use herbs and spices for flavor. In medicine, they have also been used as a remedy for a very long time. In addition, they are essential in vegan cuisine and therefore an indispensable part of your vegan shopping list. Cooking without animal protein means seasoning with a variety of herbs and spices to ensure excellent taste.

must-haves

Turmeric: The coloring agent “curcumin” has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Ginger: Rich in vitamin C.
Ceylon Cinnamon: Considered to be anti-inflammatory.
Fresh herbs: Purchase long-lasting herb pots or grow them yourself on the balcony.
Garlic: Can be used as a natural antibiotic.
chili
curry
paprika powder

The vegan shopping list replaces animal products with plant-based alternatives

Milk, yoghurt and cheese are among the most frequently mentioned when people are asked what they think they cannot do without. However, there are now excellent substitute products and even special shops** such as Vantastic Foods. Here, however, it is important to note: unsweetened and the shortest possible list of ingredients.

Substitute products:

Plant drinks: oat milk or buckwheat milk are good milk alternatives, because these cereals are also grown in Germany.
Oat-based yoghurt or soy yoghurt: With both variants, it is best to pay attention to regional cultivation or make them yourself.
Smoked tofu: Ideal as a meat substitute.
Vegan cheese: For example, based on almonds.
Vegan cream substitute
The rule here is: less is more! You don’t need a lot of vegan substitutes. Processed vegan substitutes often contain myriad additives. A vegan shopping list should consist primarily of colorful fruit, vegetables and legumes.

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Food

Extrudates: This is How the Crispy Products are Made

Extrudates can be found in many different forms. Examples are oat pops or peanut flips. Here you can find out how they are made and what properties they have.

An extrudate is a food that has been expanded by pressure and high temperatures. This heating and puffing makes it nice and crispy. Starchy foods are usually used to produce extrudates because they are particularly suitable. Examples of this are bran or grinding flour, also known as husks.

How are extrudates formed?

The production of an extrudate is also called extrusion. You can imagine them as follows.

The extruder (the conveying device that applies the pressure) breaks down the starchy raw material through a combination of pressure and high temperatures.
As soon as the raw material comes out of a nozzle, the temperature and pressure drop suddenly, so that water vapor escapes from the dough and air bubbles are trapped in it.
The result is the so-called extrudate. Sometimes the manufacturers roast or dry it afterwards.
The extrudate can then be cut into any desired pieces or post-treated in some other way. For example, it is fried, sweetened or flavored.
The production of extrudates is quite an involved process. You could theoretically make extrudates yourself, but you would need an extruder for that. The extruder is quite expensive and the raw materials required are usually not commercially available. That’s why we would advise against making your own extrudates at home.

This is how you find extrudates in stores – and that’s how healthy they are

You can find extrudates commercially in many different shapes. Some examples:

Cereals (e.g. oat pops)
Snacks (e.g. peanut chips, onion rings or cheese balls)
break bar
Confectionery (e.g. Nippon or Kinder Country)
crispbreads
But how healthy are the different extrudates now?

In general, you should know that the raw materials for making extrudates are mostly industrial waste products. This is the case, for example, with bran or grinding flour.

During the manufacture of the extrudates, the starch is then completely broken down from the raw materials. This process makes the extrudates easy to digest, but it also destroys important amino acids. In addition, the raw materials are highly heated, which leads to a loss of nutritional value. Vitamins contained in grain products are also lost by 50 to 80 percent during extrusion. Because of this, breakfast cereals, for example, are subsequently enriched with vitamins.

All in all, unfortunately, extrudates are often expensive finished products made from cheap raw materials and air. So if you include them in your diet, it is best to combine them with fresh fruit or vegetables.

In addition to the above examples of rather unhealthy extrudates, there are also some healthier extrudates that you can eat with a clearer conscience. These include pasta, which is one of our staple foods. In addition, textured soy, which you can find in the form of soy strips, for example, is also an extrudate. While these products are a bit more recommendable than peanut chips and other snacks, they’re still best enjoyed in moderation.

Durability of extrudates

The extrusion process removes certain enzymes from the products, making them more perishable. In addition, the extrudates hardly contain any moisture since they are dried foods. These two facts make extrudates last a long time. As a rule, they can be kept for at least a year, usually even longer. So you can keep them for a very long time without worrying about them spoiling or expiring.

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Culture

Coffee Drinkers Associate This with Their Favorite Drink

Coffee is much more than just a hot pick-me-up for coffee drinkers from all over the world. You combine very nice feelings, longings and impressions with your favorite drink from the espresso coffee machine or the coffee machine for the office. The associations of coffee drinkers are very different in different countries. Find out what coffee lovers associate with their favorite pick-me-up and what a good cup of coffee really means to you. It is not important to you whether coffee machines for the office or the espresso coffee machine guarantee the preparation. It’s more about great emotions that hide behind the pleasure.

In Europe, coffee machines are responsible for the office for coffee and it warms the heart

Europians are unanimous in their love of coffee, although there is disagreement as to whether espresso coffee machines or office coffee machines should be used more often. In this country, coffee drinkers associate warmth, love, joy and security with coffee. The hot drink replaces the hustle and bustle of everyday life with relaxation and enjoyment, and Germans prefer to enjoy coffee with their partner. Whether you prefer coffee from the espresso coffee machine or coffee machines for the office is a matter of taste.

In Austria, the espresso coffee machine is a guarantee for coffee drinks that provide warmth and energy

The Austrians have a long coffee tradition and attach great importance to the beloved little black dress. This is clearly evident in the many typical coffee houses that spoil their guests with a hot drink from the espresso coffee machine or a brown beer from the fully automatic machine. Coffee machines for the office are also popular, as Austrians love all kinds of coffee. Just like the Germans, they associate warmth with the hot drink. What makes them different is that you look at coffee as a source of energy. They appreciate the waking effect very much.

The Swiss associate love with enjoying coffee from the espresso coffee machine

The Swiss are known and valued far beyond the borders for their high quality of life and excellent cuisine. For the Swiss, the love of coffee is simply part of it. Irrespective of whether the coffee machines for the office or the espresso coffee machine are used, coffee is loved dearly and associated with love. This is even more important to the Swiss than the positive quality as an energy supplier. Enjoying coffee is a matter of the heart for the Swiss.

In Poland, the espresso coffee machine is used for a hot drink that arouses passion

In Poland, office coffee machines are not as widespread as office filter coffee machines. Many also appreciate the espresso coffee machine to prepare a strong espresso. If you ask people in Poland about their associations with coffee, you will mostly hear passion as the answer. Coffee and espresso wake up tired spirits. The association with home is also very widespread. Wherever Poles enjoy a coffee, they feel at home and welcome.

In the Czech Republic, the focus is on the tranquility that coffee brings

Coffee machines for the office are in high demand in the Czech Republic. There, coffee is very much appreciated and drunk a lot. For people, coffee means rest. It brings serenity to the stressful everyday life and creates a welcome moment to pause and calm down. Community is very important to coffee drinkers in the Czech Republic, they prefer to drink coffee together than alone. It is therefore hardly surprising that the coffee machines for the office are an integral part of the interior.

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Food

This is How You Make the Perfect Milk Froth

Many love it: the milk froth on your coffee from the coffee machine. The consistency of the milk froth has a major impact on the taste. But how do you make the perfect milk froth? With or without a coffee machine? And which milk is best for milk froth? What should you watch out for when frothing milk?

As a rule, the milk froth should be creamy. Milk foam that is much too firm actually has no place on the coffee from the coffee machine and is therefore also affectionately called construction foam. Nevertheless, there are certainly coffee drinkers who prefer this type of foam. Here you can find out how you can froth milk and thus create the perfect milk froth – with or without a coffee machine.

How is milk froth formed in the first place?

When frothing, air is lifted under the milk. The protein and fat molecules are mixed up and then enclose small air bubbles. Depending on the type of froth and duration, the milk froth will be creamier or firmer. The milk you use for the milk froth also plays a role. For a creamy and airy milk froth, both the fat and protein content are crucial. The milk should come cold out of the fridge before frothing. During heating, the milk should not reach more than 60 degrees, otherwise the proteins will curdle. As a result, the foam collapses very quickly. Your coffee machine knows this special feature, which is why it always prepares perfect milk froth that stays creamy for a long time.

What tools can you use to make milk froth? – From coffee machines to whisks

The selection of aids for frothing milk is large and very different. Some tools are easy to use, others require skill, practice and a little effort before you can create good milk froth.

Make milk foam with a whisk: If you don’t have a milk frother at home, you can simply use a whisk. To do this, first heat the milk. Attention: not warmer than 60 degrees. Then pour the milk into a large container and whip it with a whisk – similar to cream. If you do everything right, after a few minutes you will have great milk froth for cappuccino, latte macchiato and co.
Make milk froth with hand milk frother: The hand milk frother works similar to the whisk method. The cold milk is poured into the milk frother and heated on the stove. The milk is then foamed with the help of the existing sieve and by moving it up and down. The advantage of this milk frother is that you only need this one vessel.
Making milk froth with a battery-powered milk frother: If you use a hand-held milk frother to make milk froth, you start by heating the milk. Then you fill it in a glass or other tall container. Now dip the milk frother into the milk and froth it with up and down movements. With a little practice, you can easily create fluffy milk froth. The advantage of the battery-powered milk frother is that you can easily adjust the amount of milk to be whipped as needed.
Making milk froth with an electric milk frother: If you want to make milk froth with an electric frother, you don’t actually have to do much. Simply pour milk into the milk frother up to the mark and you’re ready to go. This is just as convenient as making milk froth with a coffee machine. The great thing: In addition to warm milk froth, some devices can also produce cold milk froth or simply heat the milk, e.g. for cocoa or a delicious children’s cocoa cappuccino.
Make milk froth with a coffee machine: If you want to treat yourself to a little luxury, you can afford a fully automatic machine. Most of these coffee machines can produce milk froth fully automatically. However, you actually choose a coffee drink, which the fully automatic machine prepares at the push of a button. So the fully automatic machines can make a great latte macchiato with three layers without you having to worry about anything.
Making milk froth with a steam nozzle: If you have a portafilter, you usually also have a steam nozzle or steam lance. When frothing milk, practice and perseverance are the main requirements. Although there are countless instructions and videos on the net, in the end you simply have to try and test it. Once you get the hang of the steam nozzle, you can always look forward to great, creamy milk froth.

Which types of milk are best suited for milk froth with the coffee machine?

Making milk froth with whole milk: Whole milk does not froth better than other types, but thanks to the high fat content it enhances the taste of the coffee or espresso.
Making milk froth with low-fat milk:: Low-fat milk can also be frothed well. However, since it contains less fat, it does not carry the coffee taste quite as well.
Make milk froth with fat-free milk:: It can also be frothed up, but here it is an absolute matter of taste whether you like the coffee afterwards.
Make milk foam with soy milk: Contrary to what is often claimed, soy milk is also suitable for foaming. However, it may well be that one variety foams better than another variety. Therefore simply test soy milk from different manufacturers.
Make milk froth with lactose-free milk: Anyone who suffers from lactose intolerance can also use lactose-free milk to conjure up super milk froth for cappuccino and the like.
Making milk foam with coconut and almond milk: Coconut milk and almond milk cannot be foamed. This is because the protein or protein content is too low. Although there are now frothable versions of these types of milk, fats and proteins have been added to them later. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to drink these varieties.
Making milk froth with oat milk: Another way to make vegan milk froth is with oat milk. Because it is precisely here that many manufacturers have developed a barista version that makes it easy to create milk froth with and without a coffee machine.

However, if you have the feeling that your milk does not froth well, it is advisable to simply try a different brand. It may well be that the fat content of both milk products is the same, but the protein content is different. So you don’t have to bury your head in the sand immediately if you didn’t get the desired milk froth on the first try.

Latte art and how to decorate coffee from the coffee machine with milk froth

It’s all the rage, trendy cafés can’t do without it, and there are countless videos on the subject on YouTube: we’re talking about latte art – that’s the name of the design of coffee from the coffee machine with creamy milk froth.

It is an important discipline, especially for baristas, because it allows you to make a name for yourself and set yourself apart from the competition. Every year, baristas compete to see who can make the best latte art. Now some question marks will appear? Designing milk froth – please what? This type of design is part and parcel of trendy drinks such as the Flat White. Patterns also look great on a cappuccino.

What are the Latte Art Techniques?

The original variant of latte art is the artful pouring of milk froth into a cup of espresso. The milk froth should still be liquid and easy to pour. With the right technique you can create leaves, trees and hearts.

As with frothing milk itself, it also takes a little time to get the hang of the pouring technique. Once you have developed a knack for it, you can experiment and create imaginative patterns.

Another variant of latte art is the decoration with chocolate sauce. It starts frothing the milk. The milk froth is poured back into an espresso, but without a special pouring technique. Now chocolate sauce, toothpicks, stencils and other little helpers are used. You can also use caramel sauce if you like. Simply pour the sauce onto the milk froth and use the tools to decorate as desired. The imagination knows no limits. Just look on the internet for inspiration.

Can I make latte art myself?

Now, of course, the question arises whether you can do it too? Yes, with the right tools, anyone can become a latte artist at home. You need a milk jug, a coffee cup, espresso and of course milk froth. If you don’t want to pour, just decorate, you still need chocolate or caramel sauce and toothpicks.

If you have a portafilter with a steam wand, you will need some skill and practice to froth milk, but then you can create wonderfully creamy milk froth.

If you own a fully automatic machine, you can use the coffee machine to make the milk froth right away and then start your latte art project straight away.

With other types of froth, you need to test something that is the perfect consistency for latte art. And always remember: for latte art we need creamy and liquid milk foam, not foam!

And then it can start. Look around the internet, there are numerous videos and descriptions that are great for beginners. Try it out!

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Food

Freeze Chickpeas: This Way You Always Have Them Ready to Cook

Freezing chickpeas is a great way to always have the healthy legumes ready to cook. We’ll show you what to look out for when freezing chickpeas and how to use them.

Freezing chickpeas preserves the legumes even when cooked. Recipes that use chickpeas usually call for cooked chickpeas. However, the cooking time of legumes is very long, so they are not suitable for a quick meal uncooked.

Chickpeas are healthy because they have valuable vegetable protein, proteins and other healthy ingredients. Legumes are used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. If you freeze cooked chickpeas, you’ll always have them ready to cook.

When buying chickpeas, pay attention to organic quality. This protects the environment, since organically certified seals such as Demeter or Bioland do not use synthetic chemical pesticides.

By the way: in your own garden is very easy. You can grow your own chickpeas in the garden to avoid having to buy them at the store. This is how to plant and care for chickpeas.

Freeze chickpeas: this is how it works

Freezing chickpeas is quick and easy. Only the cooked chickpeas are suitable for freezing. Because in the dried state, properly packaged, the legumes can be kept for many months.

If you want to freeze chickpeas, then proceed as follows:

Cook the chickpeas according to package instructions. In another article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cooking or soaking chickpeas.
Catch the chickpea water, because you can use it in many ways. In another post we have tips on this: Don’t throw away chickpea water! 5 ideas how to use it
Let the cooked chickpeas cool.
Place the cooked chickpeas in a freezeproof, sealable container. Make sure the containers are reusable. This is how you avoid rubbish. Also read: Freezing food without plastic
Place the container of chickpeas in your freezer. Important: If you are freezing in glass, do not fill the glass to the top, but leave some space so that the chickpeas can expand during freezing. Also, only close the lid after a few hours in the freezer, otherwise the jar may burst if the contents expand too much.
Tip: Freeze the chickpeas in several small containers. So you always have the right amount at hand for a meal.

Recipe ideas for chickpeas

Freezing cooked chickpeas will keep the legumes for a few months. Get them out of the freezer when you need them and use them in delicious dishes. You have two options for this:

Thaw the chickpeas before cooking:

Place them in a bowl in the fridge overnight to use the next day, or
let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
If you want it a little faster, put the frozen chickpeas in a small bowl and thaw them in a water bath over medium heat.
With the thawed chickpeas, you can cook particularly well recipes in which the chickpeas are pureed or should be used fresh, i.e. not further cooked and baked. For example, try the recipe for a classic hummus or a fresh chickpea salad.

Use frozen chickpeas:

Add the frozen chickpeas to a soup or warm dish and cook with the remaining ingredients until soft again.

Recipes that use cooked chickpeas also work well to use your frozen chickpeas. For example, they taste great in chickpea curry or chickpea soup.

Tip: Fry the frozen chickpeas in a little oil in a pan. Once they have softened, season them with herbs and spices of your choice.

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International coffee enjoyment: this is how the specialty is drunk in different countries

Coffee is a popular drink around the world: Whether coffee from the espresso maker, coffee from the French press, coffee from the capsule machine, hand-brewed, with or without milk, schnapps, cream, ice cubes, warm, cold or something in between – all over the world they cultivate Coffee drinkers their own coffee rituals, drinking habits and preparation methods. Different coffee specialties have developed in the countries of the world, which are now internationally popular. We present some of them to you!

But coffee is more than just a hot pick-me-up. Internationally, coffee drinkers connect very differently. Find out what coffee lovers associate with their favorite pick-me-up and what a good cup of coffee really means to you.

International coffee specialties – Country 1: Italy

Italy is the home of espresso – internationally, the southern European country is also associated with delicious coffee specialties. For the Italians themselves, only coffee from the espresso maker is good coffee. There is hardly a coffee specialty that is not based on coffee from the espresso maker.

Simple caffè, caffè lungo, caffè macchiato or cappuccino are just a few of the variants that people like to drink frequently. In fact, Italy is the country with the most cafés in the world; unlike in other countries, the coffee from the espresso maker is not drunk in company or over a longer period of time, but rather quickly and while standing. That’s why the Italians also expect their coffee to be at the right drinking temperature straight from the espresso maker.

International coffee specialties – Country 2: Austria

In Austria, the espresso coffee machine is a guarantee for coffee drinks that provide warmth and energy. The Austrians have a long coffee tradition and attach great importance to the beloved little black dress. This is clearly shown in the many typical coffee houses that are internationally known.

Coffee machines are also popular, as Austrians love all kinds of coffee specialities. Just like the Germans, they associate warmth with the hot drink. What makes them different is that they see coffee as a source of energy. They really appreciate the waking effect.

International coffee specialties – Country 3: Switzerland

The Swiss are internationally known and valued for their high quality of life and excellent cuisine. For the Swiss, the love of coffee is simply part of it and therefore also associated with love. This is even more important to the Swiss than the positive quality as an energy supplier. Enjoying coffee is a matter of the heart for the Swiss.

So it is not surprising that this love is the mother of invention: Coffee from the capsule machine is very popular in European countries and internationally – and who invented it? Guessed correctly. A Swiss food company was the first to come up with the idea of ​​producing, portioning and packaging coffee for a capsule machine. In addition, the Swiss like to drink their coffee refined with cream, which is also known among connoisseurs as café mélange. But other coffee specialties are also popular in the country: Kafi Luz or Kafi GT – variants with herbal schnapps or liqueurs.

International coffee specialties – Country 4: Denmark

The Danes like it uncomplicated: coffee from the French press is the second most popular way of preparing coffee for the northerners. The “Stempelkande Kaffe” is portioned with a teaspoon of coffee in a cup of water.

For many Danes, the daily consumption of three to four cups of coffee from the French press is part of “hygge” – a term for a positive attitude to life, cosiness and well-being. The internationally popular coffee to go is not very common in Denmark. Instead, in cafés or restaurants, the coffee is served directly in a French press or in a thermos flask, from which you can help yourself.

International Coffee Specialties – Country 5: Poland

In Poland, the espresso coffee machine is used for a hot drink that arouses passion. Filter coffee machines are particularly common in this country. Many also appreciate the espresso coffee machine to prepare a strong espresso.

If you ask people in Poland about their associations with coffee, you will mostly hear passion as the answer. Coffee and espresso wake up tired spirits. The association with home is also very widespread. Wherever Poles enjoy a coffee, they feel at home and welcome.

International specialty coffees – Country 6: USA

The USA is internationally the country with the most coffee imports. Your constant thirst for the black gold is quenched with a wide variety of coffee specialties. The coffee is often drunk heavily: if you order a Black Eye, Bulls Eye, Red Eye or Dead Eye (depending on the region), you will usually receive two espressos in combination with black filter coffee.

Another popular variant, “Iced Coffee” is not the same as the German version “Eis Kaffee” – in the USA the glass is filled to the top with ice cubes instead of ice cream.

International coffee specialties – Country 7: Germany

In Germany, in addition to convenient preparation options such as coffee from the capsule machine, handmade coffees are also in vogue again: coffee from the French press, the hand filter or coffee from the espresso maker is finding more and more fans. The coffee does not necessarily have to be hot:

In some processes, the coffee is produced as a “cold brew” and the coffee also stays cold with one of the typical German coffee specialties: the iced coffee is consumed with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. The country’s coffee drinkers associate warmth, love, peace, joy and security with their favorite drink. The hot drink replaces the hustle and bustle of everyday life with relaxation and enjoyment, and Germans prefer to enjoy their coffee with their partner or alone.

International coffee specialties – Country 8: Czech Republic

In this country, coffee is highly valued and drunk a lot. For people, coffee means rest. It brings serenity to the stressful everyday life and creates a welcome moment to pause and calm down. Community is very important to coffee drinkers in the Czech Republic: they prefer to drink coffee together than alone.

International coffee specialties – Country 9: Eritrea

The Eritreans have a very special relationship with coffee, which is only common in a few international countries. They celebrate coffee in a traditional coffee ceremony, which takes place up to three times a day. Coffee is considered a true delicacy in Eritrea, which should be prepared with the utmost respect.

Part of the ceremony is therefore to freshly roast the coffee beans yourself. When dark enough, the roasted beans are placed on a rush mat and passed around to all the participants in the coffee ceremony, who fan the aroma with their hands. The coffee is then ground and poured into a special clay vessel called a jebena, into which cold water is then poured. Finally, along with some spices, the mixture is heated on the stove for 15 to 30 minutes and then cooled again so that the coffee does not boil over. When it is ready, Eritreans stick a tuft of horsehair into the spout of the vessel to separate the liquid from the remaining coffee grounds when pouring the coffee specialty.

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Date Sugar: This is How You Make the Healthy Sweetener Yourself

Date sugar is made from dried, finely ground dates. You can also easily make the sugar at home in the oven. You can find out exactly how this works and why we can only recommend date sugar to a limited extent here.

If you want to sweeten in a healthier way, you can use date sugar. This consists only of dried and finely ground dates. Date sugar has a more subtle sweetening power than conventional sugar, but also has a fine caramel note that goes particularly well with sweet baked goods. On the other hand, if you want to sweeten drinks, date sugar is not suitable. The fine date powder does not dissolve in liquid.

Since date sugar consists only of dried dates, it still has some healthy ingredients. For example, it is high in fiber. However, the crystalline date sweetener is still a sugar, so you should use it sparingly.

Also with regard to the ecological balance of dates, it is advisable to use date sugar consciously. Dates come from far away areas like Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia, so they have to travel long distances in transportation. Dates are also susceptible to pest infestation, which is why pesticides are often used.

If you make your own date sugar, you have the option of buying dates that are as environmentally friendly as possible. We recommend dried dates from organic farming that does not use chemical-synthetic pesticides.

Make date sugar yourself: Here’s how it works

Making date sugar yourself is very easy. In addition to the dried dates, you only need an oven and a powerful blender. First let the dates dry completely in the oven and then use the mixer to pulverize them.

You can do this step by step:

Halve the dates and remove the stone if necessary.
Place the dates on a wire rack lined with parchment paper or a more sustainable parchment paper alternative.
Allow the dates to dry through at 100 to 120 degrees Celsius.
Depending on the oven and the residual moisture content in the dates, the drying time can vary, from 60 minutes to two or even three hours. Place a wooden spoon between the oven and oven door to allow moisture to escape.
The dates should start to harden in the oven, but not burn. So check them regularly and reduce the heat if necessary.
Let the dates cool down completely overnight in the switched off oven with the oven slightly open. This makes them very hard.
Put the completely cooled dates in a blender and process them into a powder.
The resulting date sugar may start clumping from the humidity, but you can still use it.
The date sugar can be stored in an airtight container for up to eight weeks.

Make date sugar yourself: Healthier, but energy-intensive

Because the oven time can get long and the oven door is left open during this time, constantly escaping heat, the power consumption of making your own date sugar is quite high. Therefore, drying the dates in the oven can not only be expensive, but also increase the ecological footprint.

With a few tips, however, you can make the eco-balance of homemade date sugar a little more positive:

Do not use so-called soft dates, but dates that are as hard as possible, for example the Deglet Nour variety. The harder the dates are, the less time they need in the oven.
Don’t just halve the dates, cut them into quarters. They also dry faster this way. Be careful not to burn the dates.
If you have a dehydrator, you can use that. Note, however, that while most dehydrators use less electricity than the oven when drying, the power consumption is not necessarily low here either.
In order not to have to dry them at all, you can soak the dates overnight and then puree them with a little lemon juice. This is how you get a date puree that you can use for many things just like the solid date sugar.

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Corona Virus: You Have to Consider This When Buying Fruit and Vegetables

Can the coronavirus be transmitted through fruit and vegetables? We have put together the most important tips that you should currently consider when buying and preparing fresh food.

That’s how long the coronavirus survives on fruit and vegetables

The corona virus causes uncertainty: Many people are afraid of contracting the virus via a smear infection when buying food. First the good news: According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, transmission of the coronavirus through fruit and vegetables is very unlikely.

Nevertheless, the virus can usually survive on surfaces for between three hours and three days, according to American researchers from the “New England Journal”. According to a study by the University of Greifswald, the virus can persist on surfaces for up to nine days.

However, the survival time depends on various factors, such as temperature, humidity and the material of the surface. According to the University of Greifswald, cold and high humidity should promote the lifespan of the virus.

The germs of the coronavirus have a very low environmental stability, so transmission through food, even imported from risk areas, is unlikely.

Coronavirus: Prepare fruits and vegetables safely

Even if the transmission of the coronavirus via fruit and vegetables is rather unlikely, sufficient hygiene and caution when dealing with pathogens can never hurt. We have therefore put together the most important tips for handling fruit and vegetables for you:

Wash your hands: The most important tip when dealing with fruit and vegetables is still washing your hands. You should urgently wash your hands after buying the food and before and after preparing it.
Wash fruit and vegetables: Of course, you must not forget to wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly with hot water. More about this here: Washing fruit properly: What to do about pesticides on the skin?
Peel fruit and vegetables: Not every type of fruit and vegetable can be peeled. However, where it is feasible, it is definitely recommended.
Boil fruit and vegetables: Especially for high-risk patients, it is advisable to completely avoid raw food during the corona crisis and only eat fruit and vegetables that have been cooked. The high temperatures render the viruses harmless.

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