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Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels: You Can Still Use Them For That

You shouldn’t throw away banana peels because you can still use them for many different things. We’ll show you great tricks on how you can still use the banana peels.

Bananas are often contaminated with many pesticides. Therefore, you should always buy organic bananas, as the pesticide residues are low or non-existent. This is especially important if you’re going to reuse the peel, as it contains most of the pesticides, not the fruit itself.

Use banana peels as fertilizer

The banana peel is a great fertilizer for the garden: more than ten percent of the peel consists of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. It also contains some nitrogen and sulfur – good for many plants. Here’s how you do it:
Cut the peel into small pieces so that it will decompose faster later.
Now you can lay the bowl in the sun to dry or spread it out straight away.
It is best to mix the banana peel pieces a little under the soil between the roots. Perennial plants and flowers, such as roses, are particularly happy about the banana peels.
The guideline is about 100 g of banana peel per plant – but over-fertilizing is actually not possible.

Banana peel against dust on indoor plants

If you don’t have a garden, you can also use the banana peels to care for the leaves of your houseplants. The banana peel binds the dust – ideal for indoor plants in winter.

To do this, rub the inside (where the pulp is) over the leaves.
The dust then sticks to the sticky inside of the banana peel.
In addition, the banana peel gives the plant a new shine and ensures that dust cannot settle so quickly.
Tip: If you cut up the banana peels and put them in the flower pot of your houseplant, you also prevent aphid infestation and other pests.

Polish leather with banana peel

What works with the leaves of the plant also works with the leather couch:
Simply rub the inside of the banana peel over the leather.
Then polish the spot again with a dry cloth.
Then the leather shines again.
By the way, you can not only polish leather with banana peels, but also silver, chrome and stainless steel.

Whiten your teeth with banana peels

Banana peels are a natural bleach, but they are not as harsh as citric acid, for example. That’s why the shell is also good for whitening your teeth:
You have to rub the inside of the banana peel into your teeth for about two minutes every day.
After about 14 days, your teeth will be significantly lighter.
This method is also suitable for removing light stains on the teeth.

Banana peel against acne and blemishes

Anyone suffering from acne and other skin blemishes can rely on the power of the banana peel. Because it not only contains many minerals such as zinc and iron, but also vitamins and antioxidants. The starch contained in the banana binds the oil that clogs the pores.

First clean and dry your face

Rub the banana peel on the pimple or affected area of ​​skin for several minutes at night.
You can then wash off the residue the next morning.
However, it is important that you use ripe bananas and treat the acne with banana peels for at least 14 days.

Beautiful through banana peels

Not only are banana peels a tried-and-true acne remedy, the peels have even more tricks up their sleeves:
Anti-wrinkle agent: Because the banana peel contains antioxidants, it prevents premature aging of the skin. Rubbing the inside of your eyes and on your forehead can tighten your skin.
Against warts: The enzymes in the banana peel naturally help warts to disappear again. Place a piece of banana peel on the wart and secure it with a band-aid. After 7 to 10 days, the wart has receded. You should replace the shell every three days.
Painkillers: The oil in banana peels can relieve pain from burns. To do this, simply wrap the peel over the affected areas of skin.

Ripe avocados with banana peels

Avocados are either overripe or rock hard. Anyone who knows the problem can use banana peels to speed up the ripening process, at least with hard avocados: bananas contain the ripening gas ethylene. That’s why you can simply add the banana peels to the avocados and have a ripe avocado within 24 to 48 hours.

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Lifestyle

Use Eyeshadow as Eyeliner

Eyeliner is one of the basic cosmetic equipment for women. He emphasizes the shape of the eyes and can give them an individual, new shape. However, many women find it difficult to apply it correctly. Due to the natural wrinkles under the eyes, it smudges easily and looks blotchy or odd. Therefore, instead of eyeliner, another make-up item can be used to draw attention to the eyes: eye shadow.

Apply eyeshadow as eyeliner

There are many tips for makeup. So also use the eyeshadow as an eyeliner. The eyeshadow must be in powder form to be used as an eyeliner. You also need a fine brush – a thin lip brush or a very fine eye shadow brush would be ideal. It is important that its tip is shaped in such a way that it allows precise work.

The brush tip is generously covered with eyeshadow powder, then the lower eyelid line is drawn in one go. If an upper line is to be drawn, this is then drawn. The process is repeated until the desired color strength is reached. Several trains may be necessary, as eyeshadow colors much weaker than conventional eyeliner. However, it has the advantage that it can be wiped away again immediately if a line goes wrong.

The color of the eyeshadow

Basically, any eyeshadow color can be used as eyeliner. If no other make-up or only mascara is used, the color should always be as dark as possible. Light colors do not emphasize the shape of the eyes clearly enough with little make-up.

Black would be ideal, but depending on the type, gray or brown can also be used. If eyeshadow is also applied to the upper lid, the eyeliner should match in color. The same color or one or two shades below create beautiful effects. Dark eyeshadow also works well with this, as it creates a strong contrast and brings out the colors more clearly. In addition, tips for emphasizing natural beauty should be observed.

Corrections of the eyeliner

Eyeliner dries quickly and cannot be easily removed afterward. This becomes a problem when the line goes wrong. However, this problem does not arise with eye shadow, since the powder is basically easy to remove. If the line doesn’t come out clean, the result can be easily removed. To do this, use a cloth dampened with warm water and simply remove the eyeliner. The removal takes place without leaving any residue, then you can start again. The only downside is that if a mistake is made, the entire eyeliner will be removed, requiring a full redraw.

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Lifestyle

Find the Right Facial Care and Tips on How to Use It

For a radiant face with healthy skin into old age, individual care is required. However, one of the biggest mistakes in facial care is using the wrong products. A skin type analysis creates clarity and allows the selection of the optimal care products. We summarize how you can determine your skin type and find the right facial care.

Face care with the measure

What your skin needs depends on several factors. Age, your genetic skin type, and individual habits in the care routine play a role. For example, if you are constantly changing your face cream and are one of those people who like to regularly test new care products, this can stress your skin in the long run. This stress can lead to blemishes being specifically promoted and over-stimulation occurring. Skin that has been overstressed for a long time becomes more sensitive – redness, feelings of tightness, and itching are typical consequences.

Choose the right cream for your facial care

The choice of face cream must be made particularly care if the skin is irritated. The cosmetics company asambeauty with the M. Asam brand, which has existed since 1963, develops successful recipes in cooperation with renowned dermatologists and recommends mild and fragrance-free formulations with selected and gentle ingredients for sensitive skin. As a suitable face cream from the M. Asam brand, the manufacturer recommends the perfume-free Hyaluron Repair 24h Cream, which strengthens the natural skin protection barrier and gives the facial skin new resistance. The texture of the cream is described as velvety and it should be applied in the morning and evening after cleansing the face.

Face cream types for different skin types

Yes, there are different types of face cream for different skin types. In general, a distinction is made between oily, dry, and normal skin as well as so-called combination skin for the right facial care:

Normal skin

This skin type does not suffer from particularly dry or oily skin. Pimples are also rather rare. Care is easy here with daily facial cleansing and a moisturizer.

Oily skin

Excessive sebum production leads to oily facial skin. The cause for this can be genes and hormone fluctuations as well as inferior cosmetic products and stress. Typical signs of oily skin are shine all over the face and enlarged pores. Wrinkles are less noticeable. Blemishes are possible, but not a must for this skin type. With oily skin, the mistake is often made when drying care products are used. But that is exactly what can contribute to an additional boost to sebum production and worsen the complexion. Substances such as menthol and eucalyptus are unfavorable.

Proper care should be based on a thorough cleaning and the additional use of a facial tonic. A serum or gel is recommended for light care. Vogue has interviewed dermatologist Dr. Elena Martínez and asked about proper skincare for oily skin. The expert advises using a sebum-regulating serum in the morning in combination with a water-based moisturizing cream. For the night, however, care products with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or retinol are advantageous.

Dry/dehydrated skin

If the facial skin feels mainly dry, and tense and is often characterized by irritation, there is a lack of natural fats, and sebum production is restricted. Flaky areas of skin are also conceivable. Care products that also dry out and irritate the skin should be avoided. Ingredients such as perfume, alcohol, and mineral oils should be taboo. Substances such as almond oil, ceramides, and shea butter are advisable instead. After mild facial cleansing, a moisturizing face cream is applied.

Combination skin

This is where greasy and dry spots mix. While the area around the nose and forehead (the T-zone) often tends to be greasy, the cheeks appear dry. Care is a bit more complex here because the products have to meet the different requirements. A pH-neutral facial cleansing gel and tonic make a good combination. A face cream especially for combination skin completes the care. Products with hyaluronic acid and gel-like texture are optimal.

If in doubt, consult an expert

However, the classification of the skin is often not quite as simple as this classic categorization would make it out to be. The problem: Just because your skin looks oily doesn’t mean that facial care for oily skin is right for you. It is not uncommon for different characteristics of skin types to mix with signs of a skin disease that has not yet been diagnosed.

In addition, skin that suffers from a lack of moisture can also be oily, at least temporarily. Drinking too little also damages the organ and promotes dry skin. If you interpret the signals incorrectly and therefore use unfavorable care, this can lead to the overstimulation mentioned above in the long run. If in doubt, a visit to a dermatologist is helpful to have an individual analysis carried out and to determine the appropriate care without a doubt.

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health

Use Interdental Brushes and Dental Floss Properly

Instructions and tips for using interdental brushing and dental floss correctly. Since dental care with a toothbrush is not enough, other aids are needed for healthy teeth. Consequently, dental floss and its alternatives can prevent tooth decay and bad breath.

Leftover food and bacteria collect in the spaces between the teeth. But if you floss, you can clean these areas properly. Consequently, dental floss or other special brushes are part of daily teeth cleaning to prevent bad teeth.

Why is dental floss important?

Adequate dental care is important. This includes brushing your teeth every day. But that alone is not enough. Because the toothbrush does not get into the interdental spaces. This means that only 70 percent of the tooth surface is cleaned. While the remaining 30 percent is left without proper cleaning. And this is where food residue and bacteria collect. If these are not thoroughly removed, tooth decay and bad breath can result. Consequently, dental floss and alternatives such as interdental brushes are good tools for dental care.

Effectiveness of interdental brushes and dental floss

Although there are no long-term studies on the use of dental floss and alternatives, it is recommended by dentists for oral care. Because there are hardly any alternatives in the price range for cleaning the interdental spaces. Only the plastic fork – also a dental floss, which is clamped in a plastic frame, is a conceivable alternative. But it causes significantly more waste than conventional dental floss.

Suitable tools for dental and oral health

Even toothbrushes with different bristle heights do not reach the spaces between the teeth as well as dental floss and interdental brushes. As a result, you can use these to ensure adequate dental care and clean the gaps. Accordingly, the application with them makes sense to avoid the following health problems. In addition, see our article on oral hygiene and care for clean teeth.

1) Prevent tooth decay with interdental brushes

Since leftover food and bacteria collect in the spaces between the teeth, these spaces must be cleaned. A normal toothbrush does not reach here. Therefore, you should regularly use silk or interdental brushes to remove the leftover food. Consequently, these are effective ways to prevent tooth decay. Also, read how you can prevent tooth decay in milk teeth with the right baby bottles.

2) Dental floss as a means of removing plaque

Excessive plaque can damage your teeth. So you should remove it as much as possible. The use of silk or interdental brushes can help you with this. In particular, you can use it to remove the inaccessible plaque in the gaps between your teeth. Please also note our article on tips and home remedies for removing plaque.

3) Avoid gingivitis

Likewise, a lack of dental care can lead to gingivitis. These are usually uncomfortable and painful. If you want to avoid gum inflammation, daily cleaning with dental floss can be useful. This is because you remove bacteria from places that are difficult for tooth princes to access.

4) Prevent periodontitis with proper dental care

You can not only avoid painful gingivitis with the aids presented here. You can also use it to prevent periodontitis. This works exactly as in the previously described points. Regular use of interdental brushes or dental floss will ensure better dental care. They also clean the spaces between the teeth and thus reduce the bacteria. Accordingly, these brushes and dental floss are effective against periodontitis.

5) Successfully eliminate bad breath

Since bad bacteria in the mouth can cause bad breath, it is important to eliminate them. Consequently, use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean your gaps. Accordingly, you should also get rid of your bad breath with regular use. In addition, daily oil pulling or cleaning your coated tongue can help improve your oral health.

Large selection of dental floss types

There is a large selection of different dental floss. The most common difference is between waxed and unwaxed dental floss. The waxed dental floss has the advantage that it slides better between the teeth. However, you remove significantly less coating than with the unwaxed version. The silk with Teflon coating also glides well. But it doesn’t clean as well either.

Dental floss with fluoride, which is said to prevent tooth decay, is also popular. However, the effect here is often small. Because the dosage of fluoride is low. The situation is similar with dental floss with chlorhexidine, which not only cleans the gaps but also disinfects them. Consequently, this should reduce tooth decay bacteria. There are also products with different flavors that do not have any significant advantage, but they make it easier to motivate children in particular to use dental floss.

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Lifestyle

Use Castor Oil Effect as a Home Remedy

Castor oil has a positive effect on skin and hair. You can also use it for various health problems. We will show you the most important fields of application and clarify why a purchase is worthwhile.

Origin of castor oil

India, Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam, and China are considered to be the main growing areas for castor oil plants. The fast-growing, not frost-resistant plants grow to a height of up to 5 meters in a subtropical climate within 4 months. They bloom from August to October and set the characteristic, prickly seeds after flowering. Then they each let a bean-sized seed ripen. Subsequently, the mature seeds are the supplier of pure castor oil. This raw material is slightly yellowish, viscous, flammable, and can be stored for approx. 8 months without further processing.

The highest quality castor oil is obtained through the cold pressing process. For one liter of oil, you need up to 1700 seeds of the plant Ricinus Communis, also known as the miracle tree. The active ingredient was valued for its healing properties centuries ago and is still used successfully in medicine and cosmetics today.

Use of the oil and effect

The application of the oil is possible in different areas. Your skin and hair in particular benefit from the care with castor oil. But the oil can also be helpful for other complaints. As a result, you will find out what and how you can use the liquid miracle for yourself.

1) As a home remedy for constipation

The most well-known mode of action of castor oil goes back to the laxative effect. Consequently, you can use the oil as a remedy for constipation or if you want to defecate in a timely manner. The ricinoleic acid it contains softens hardened stool and ensures movement in the intestines. One to two teaspoons before meals on an empty stomach should help.

2) Castor oil in obstetrics

Midwives have known for centuries that castor oil stimulates uterine contraction. Therefore, the substance is still the main component of the so-called labor cocktails, which are intended to initiate the contractions necessary to induce labor. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid taking it.

3) For the care of dry skin

The cold-pressed oil cares for your skin. You can benefit from the oil especially as a care product for dry skin because it provides plenty of moisture. With regular use, you can ensure smooth skin. A few drops are usually sufficient for facial care or other dry parts of the body.

4) As a wrinkle reducing agent

At the same time, the oil is rich in antioxidants and stimulates the production of collagen. Both are important to keep the skin smooth and soft. Thus, regular use acts as an effective remedy against wrinkles. And often the reduction of age spots is observed

5) Castor oil for acne and blemishes

If you’re struggling with blemishes or even acne, try cold-pressed oil. Because the ricinoleic acid it contains is said to fight bacteria that cause acne. So, to fight acne, apply a few drops of the oil to your face. Then massage it gently into the skin and leave it on overnight. The next day wash your face with clear water and feel the anti-inflammatory effect.

6) Fight warts with the miracle oil

Successes in the treatment of warts and scars also belong to the sphere of action of castor oil. This is how you can fight a wart by putting the oil undiluted on the wart. You should repeat this process at least twice a day until it has disappeared.

7) As a miracle cure for dry hair

As already mentioned, the oil provides plenty of moisture. And this can also benefit dry hair. Therefore use the oil as a care product for dry hair. Either add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner. Or put a small amount of the oil on your hands and rub it into your hair. Then leave it on for 1-2 hours before rinsing it off with water. You can also leave it on overnight to develop the castor oil effect.

8) Castor oil helps with dandruff

The miracle oil works just as well as a home remedy for dandruff. To do this, put a small amount on your fingertips. Then gently massage your scalp. Here, too, an exposure time of approx. 2 hours is recommended. Then you can wash it off with a mild shampoo. You should also consider other home remedies for dandruff to get rid of them permanently.

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Cooking Tips

Drying Basil: This Way You Can Use it Longer

Drying basil is not difficult, but it is worth it: you can use dried basil to refine your dishes all year round. Here you can find out what you have to consider when drying basil.

Dry basil: in the air

Basil is particularly indispensable in Italian cuisine and should therefore not be missing from homemade pizza and pasta. But especially without a garden or balcony, you don’t always have fresh basil at hand – you can prevent that by stocking up on the dried herbs. Like other herbs, you can dry basil in the oven or food dehydrator. However, it is much more energy-efficient to simply let the plant air dry.

Use scissors to cut the basil leaves off the stem. Leave as much of the stem as possible so you can bundle the leaves later. The leaves just before flowering are best, as they are at their most aromatic at this time.
You can use flexible wire or string to tie the individual leaves together by the stem and then hang them on a hook or similar device. An airy place with some sun exposure is best.
After about two weeks, your basil leaves will be completely dry; depending on the location, the drying process can also be faster. You can tell they’re dry enough by the fact that you can simply crumble them with your fingers.
Now you can put the leaves in a sealable jar or other container.

Drying basil: in the oven

If you don’t have the time to air dry, drying the basil in the oven is a much more time-saving option. All you have to do is spread your picked leaves evenly on a tray and let them bake for about 20 minutes at the lowest temperature. It is best to leave the tray in the closed oven overnight to ensure that the basil leaves are completely dry. Then you can also fill them in a suitable container. It is advisable to use this method only in exceptional cases due to the increased energy consumption.

Dry basil: these are the advantages

Drying basil is – like preserving other foods – ecologically advisable.
The basil pots from the supermarket in particular usually don’t last long – before they die, it makes sense to dry and store the leaves immediately. In this way you can counteract food waste, at least in small steps.
If you have a garden where you grow basil, you can save it from the cold season by drying the leaves—that way you’ll also have a supply for next spring.
Dried spices or herbs are available in supermarkets and also in most organic markets, almost only packed in plastic. If you dry your basil yourself at home, you also save on packaging.

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Food

Curry Herb: Its Use and Recipe Ideas

Curry herb is still quite unknown in the local kitchen. Here we explain what you can prepare with the plant and how you can use it.

Curry herb is a bushy, evergreen plant that originally comes from the Mediterranean region. It is also called immortelle or Italian helichrysum and actually has nothing to do with Indian curry powder. However, they taste very similar – that’s how the plant got its name.

Curry herb is mainly used in cooking; but it is also said to have various healing effects.

Curry herb in the kitchen: recipe ideas

Curry herb is used in particular as a spice for rice and meat dishes and can be prepared in different ways:
You can chop the needle-like leaves of the curry herb and add them to your vegetable pan as a herb spice. The herb goes particularly well with Asian dishes with coconut milk, but also as a tart addition to a risotto. Tip: Do not let the curry herb cook for longer than 5-6 minutes, otherwise it will give off bitter substances.
The finely chopped leaves can also be added fresh to a salad and add value to any dressing. Note, however, that the intense flavor of the curry herb only really comes into its own when it is cooked briefly.
If you want some variety for your spread, you can also use the chopped herb for homemade herb butter or herb quark.
Curry herb also has a slight sage note and is therefore also suitable as a seasoning for veal or lamb dishes. The whole stalk of the herb is added to the pan. Important: You should not serve the stalk, as eating it can lead to stomach problems.
It is best to harvest the stalks and leaves of the herb before flowering, because after that they lose their aroma. You can also use curry herb not only fresh, but also dried – this way you make it last longer, but the aroma of the dried leaves is not quite as intense.

Curry herb as a medicinal plant

Curry herb contains essential oils, flavonoids and bitter substances. It should therefore have a digestive, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect and promote the body’s own defense mechanisms.

A tea made from curry herb can help, especially with cold symptoms such as a cough or sore throat. For a cup of tea, pour boiling water over about two teaspoons of dried curry herb blossoms and let the brew steep for about seven minutes.
The essential oil obtained from the curry herb can be used well for irritations on the skin, such as light sunburn. It can also serve as a basis for healing ointments.
Curry herb is therefore versatile and also very easy to care for – the perfect addition to your herb bed in the garden or on the balcony.

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Food

Nutmeg: Origin, Effect and Use

Gingerbread or mulled wine would be unimaginable without nutmeg. But nutmeg goes well with many other dishes. Here we explain what you need to know about their ingredients and use.

Cultivation and origin of nutmeg

Strictly speaking, nutmeg is not a nut at all, but a seed from the nutmeg tree, which originally comes from Indonesia. The nutmeg that you find in stores in this country mostly comes from Africa or South America these days. Grenada is the main export country.

The five to eighteen meter high nutmeg tree is evergreen and very choosy: it does not like temperatures below 20 and above 30 degrees Celsius. It only bears the first fruits after eight years.

The seeds form from apricot-like fruits that burst open after about nine months, releasing the seed. The seed coat, called mace, is carefully removed and what remains is the core, which has to be dried for a few weeks until it separates from its shell.

Incidentally, nutmeg used to be a well-kept secret, which made the spice very expensive in the Middle Ages. The healing effects of nutmeg have long been appreciated.

Healing effects of nutmeg

Nutmeg is rich in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and sodium, as well as vitamin A, vitamin C and B complexes. Nutmeg also contains 16 percent essential oils. It is said to have the following healing effects:
Nutmeg is said to strengthen and strengthen the intestines, help with intestinal problems and stomach weakness and, due to special extracts, against flatulence.
Nutmeg is also said to help with gallbladder or liver weakness or cardiac insufficiency. But be careful, always consult a doctor first!
Nutmeg can have a calming and relaxing effect, for example in warm milk, so that it can also help with insomnia.
Early on, nutmeg was also considered a sexual enhancer and aphrodisiac.
Used on the skin – either in creams as nutmeg butter or as a powder stirred into warm water, nutmeg can also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Nutmeg toxins

However, the first rule with nutmeg is: in moderation, not masses. Because nutmeg contains the toxic substance myristicin, which can have a hallucinogenic effect and can thus cause intoxication or even poisoning.

The intoxicating effect can start from around four grams of nutmeg. The condition can last up to 48 hours and comes with a number of unpleasant side effects:

Consumption can cause hallucinations.
Nutmeg in too large amounts can bring on stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
It also causes heart palpitations and headaches.
The effects of a nutmeg intoxication are unpredictable and can lead to horrific trips through the combination of physical symptoms and hallucinations.

Nutmeg contains small amounts of the substance safrole, which is suspected of being carcinogenic. Myristicin also inhibits a certain type of enzyme called MAO enzymes, which are responsible for breaking down norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.

This inhibition makes “normal” foods toxic. These include tofu, aged cheese, smoked or dried meat or fish products, some types of wine, sauerkraut, products containing cocoa or caffeine, or alcohol.

Buying and Using Nutmeg

Nutmeg can be bought in various forms: as a whole fruit, which you can grate yourself with a nutmeg grater, as a ready-to-go powder or as nutmeg butter. However, nutmeg is also sold as an essential oil or in spice blends such as garam masala.

You should make sure to buy fair trade and organic spices. Whole nutmegs keep for three to four years with almost no loss of flavor and thus significantly longer than already grated nutmeg or nutmeg butter. With whole nutmegs you also avoid the risk of getting bad products: The humid climate in which the nutmeg tree grows promotes some molds that can circulate through illegal processing of infested fruit.

In the kitchen you can use nutmeg in many dishes:
Christmassy in gingerbread and mulled wine
sauces, in particular béchamel sauce
Mashed potatoes or similar potato dishes
Vegetables: For example spinach, cauliflower, carrots or kohlrabi
stews

Mazis: The “mace” from the seed coat

Less well known is mace: The spice is also incorrectly called mace, although mace is actually made from the seed coat of the nutmeg seeds. The aroma of mace is similar to that of nutmeg, only slightly milder.

However, mace loses its flavor much faster than nutmeg. Maze is sold either in powder form or in strips of flowers.

You can use mace in just as many ways as nutmeg: in a quiche, in a risotto, with potatoes or spinach or in pastries.

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Food

Black Sesame: How Healthy it is and How You Can Use it

Black sesame is rather unknown in this country. The small grains are full of nutrients. We explain to you what makes it so healthy and how you can process it.

Black sesame is mainly harvested around the Himalayas. It is considered the original form of sesame and contains a particularly large number of nutrients. People have been using it as a remedy and healthy ingredient in kitchens for thousands of years. Black sesame tastes stronger than the more familiar, white version of the seeds. You can also use black sesame oil for cooking and as a natural remedy.

What makes black sesame so healthy?

Black sesame is considered cholesterol-lowering, nutrient-rich and bone-strengthening. The many valuable ingredients in the small grains are responsible for this.

Black sesame contains a lot of calcium. With a calcium content of 800 milligrams per 100 grams, sesame contains more calcium than dairy products. It is therefore a good source of nutrients for people who follow a vegan diet or cannot consume cow’s milk for health reasons. Another plus is the high iron content of black sesame. It also contains B vitamins, vitamin A, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Furthermore, black sesame is said to have an antioxidant effect. This protects the body from free radical attacks.

Black sesame is low in carbohydrates and high in plant-based protein. This makes it a reliable source of protein and attractive for strength athletes, especially for athletes who eat vegan.

The contained proteins and amino acids contribute to a healthy and strong growth of hair and nails as well as to an optimal function of cells and muscles. Because black sesame is high in fiber, it helps to regulate the intestinal flora naturally.

How to process black sesame

In order to benefit from the valuable ingredients in the granules, it is best to eat them raw. Black sesame is a delicious component in smoothies, salads and muesli. If you like, you can also eat black sesame pure. A guideline is one to two teaspoons per day. The following recipe shows you how to prepare two servings of black sesame salad. You need:
2 beetroots
2 carrots
2 hands full of green lettuce of your choice (overview of the types of lettuce)
1 onion
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp mustard
Salt
pepper
2 tbsp black sesame seeds
You should plan about 20 minutes to prepare the salad:
Peel the beets and grate them finely. Since beetroot stains heavily, we recommend wearing gloves when processing it.
Grate the carrots too.
Wash the lettuce and spin dry. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Peel the onion and cut into rings.
Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to form a dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
Toast the sesame seeds in a pan for 2-3 minutes. You don’t need to add any oil. Alternatively, you can also sprinkle the raw sesame seeds over the salad.
Garnish the salad with the black sesame seeds.

Bake sesame puff pastry sticks: recipe

The puff pastry sticks are easy to prepare. They are a great accompaniment to soups and a tasty component on the party buffet. You need:
1 pack of puff pastry (or make your own)
Salt
2 tbsp black sesame seeds
Preparation:
Roll out the puff pastry and brush it with some water.
Cut the puff pastry into narrow strips.
Sprinkle the puff pastry strips with salt and sesame seeds.
Spread the strips on a baking sheet. Bake the whole thing for about 20 minutes at 180 degrees top/bottom heat. The puff pastry sticks are good when they are lightly brown in color.
You can of course vary the sticks, for example with chilli flakes, garlic or oregano.

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Food

Bhut Jolokia: Origin, Scoville, Use and Cultivation

Bhut Jolokia has over a million Scoville and is considered one of the hottest chillies. But where does the chili plant come from and can you grow it in your own garden?

Bhut Jolokia: The hottest chili?

Bhut Jolokia is one of the hottest known chili varieties. With over a million Scoville units, use this chili with caution. Scoville measures the degree of spiciness of pepper plants, which include the Bhut Jolokia.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment classifies too much spiciness or foods with too high a capsaicin content as harmful to health. However, there is only a risk if you consume an excessive amount of it.

The chili plant Bhut Jolokia comes from north-east India. Hot chili varieties and spicy food are widespread there. Meanwhile, you can also find Bhut Jolokia outside of India. You can recognize them by their wavy exterior.

Cultivation and use of the Bhut Jolokia

The chili fruit, which belongs to the Capsicum chinense family, is said to grow up to four meters high in India. One to two meters is actually normal. The fruits are between five and eight centimeters long.

Traditionally, Bhut Jolokia is grown in intercropping, mainly between rice plants. It is harvested in August and September. The advantage of mixed cultures between rice plants is that the fine leaves of the chilli plant do not burn. If Bhut Jolokia is not grown in paddy fields, you will find it in shady places in gardens.

If you want to plant the chili in your own garden or on your balcony, you should pay attention to a few things:
The germination temperature of the seeds should be between 26 and 32 degrees Celsius.
The chilli plant also likes it moist, which is why it feels so at home in the rice fields.
Give her time to germinate. This can take up to 36 days.
If you prefer to start seedlings, they should be around two months old before planting them in the garden.
The time between sowing and harvesting can last up to 160 days.
Whether you get a successful harvest depends mainly on whether your soil reaches the desired germination temperature.

Preserve Bhut Jolokia

If your experiment is successful and your harvest is productive, you can use the fruits of the Bhut Jolokia fresh or preserve them. So you can enjoy spicy dishes all year round.

Since it is also monsoon season in India during the harvest phase, chillies are not dried there. In Germany, of course, things are different. Maybe you even have a dehydrator, which is a big energy guzzler.

Instead of drying the chillies, they are often smoked or preserved in oil. In the country of origin, mustard oil and lemon juice are often used for pickling.

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