For many of us, coffee is not just a drink, but a real elixir of life and a ritual at the same time. But coffee is not without controversy. The question of whether coffee is healthy or harmful is often controversial among experts, and the answer may vary from person to person. Basically, coffee has both positive and potentially negative health effects. However, there are some spices that can make coffee more digestible. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make a coffee spice blend yourself.
Is coffee healthy or harmful?
- Antioxidants: Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from harmful free radicals.
- Mental alertness and concentration: Caffeine, a key ingredient in coffee, can improve attention, concentration and mental function.
- Protection against some diseases: Some studies suggest that regular coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Winter recipes in our magazine
Our Wild Herbs Magazine (available here) offers culinary and naturopathic recipes suited to every season and inspiring stories about the wild plants of our homeland. We publish the magazine just like we publish our books without the help of a publisher. All issues published in 2023 are still available. To ensure you don’t miss any magazines next year, we also offer a subscription that ends automatically after one year. You also get the winter edition here as Set
Potentially negative aspects of coffee:
- Sleep disorders: Caffeine can affect sleep, especially if consumed in the afternoon or evening.
- Stomach pain: Some people may react to coffee with stomach upset, especially if drunk on an empty stomach.
- Increased blood pressure: Caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure, which can be problematic for some people.
Adding spices to coffee, particularly in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen, can help make it more digestible and possibly mitigate some of the potential negative effects. I like spices Cinnamon AND Ginger they have anti-inflammatory properties, while cardamom and cumin can have a calming effect on the stomach. Cloves may have antibacterial properties. Whether coffee is healthy or harmful depends on your individual tolerance. If you tolerate it well, coffee in moderation and not loose should not be a problem. However, it is definitely advisable to pay attention to your reaction and adjust your coffee consumption accordingly.
The refining of coffee according to Hildegard von Bingen
There are some products on the market named after coffee refiners in honor of Hildegard von Bingen. It draws on the knowledge of Hildegard von Bingen, a visionary 12th-century abbess known not only for her spiritual writings, but also for her profound knowledge of medicinal plants and spices. His knowledge of the effects of herbs on the body and mind remains relevant today and many of his tips are prized by modern herbalists. In his writings he talks about special spices that are also used in such modern recipes. However, there are no historical records that Hildegard von Bingen drank coffee. Coffee was only discovered in the Arab world in the 15th century and then gradually spread to Europe. Hildegard of Bingen lived in the 12th century, long before coffee became known in Europe. However, the approach of combining coffee with spices is definitely justified. However, you don’t need to buy expensive coffee refiners; you can simply make your own spice blend. This is cheaper and you can use the spices in larger quantities to prepare other dishes or baked goods.
Recognize and collect wild herbs
Our passion also lies in collecting and using wild herbs and medicinal plants. This is why we not only started this blog a few years ago, but also our book entitled “With wild herbs and medicinal plants all year round“(available here) published. In it we will show you how to recognize, collect and use the most important local wild herbs and medicinal plants yourself. We show you the plants with many large format images and give you tips for using them in the medicine cabinet and in the kitchen. The book is (not only) ideal for all beginners who would like to delve deeper into these topics and are looking for an introduction to the world of wild herbs. You can purchase the book in our herbal medicine shop www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de
Spices for coffee
- Cardamom: Add this spicy spice not only for an exotic taste, but also to aid digestion and benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is used not only for its sweet note, but also for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon can regulate blood sugar levels and give coffee a warming note. We recommend using Ceylon cinnamon and not Cassia cinnamon.
- Cloves: Cloves bring a slightly sweet and spicy note to the coffee. They are also said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Ten: Cumin seeds are added to provide a pleasant spice and to ease digestive problems.
- Ginger: The strong spiciness of ginger not only gives the coffee a special note, but is also said to have anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating propertie
Instructions for refining coffee
Choose high-quality coffee, preferably organic. Now the spices come into play. It’s best to grind spices fresh so they can develop the most flavors. This operation can be done either with a classic mortar or with an electric spice grinder. Mix cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and freshly grated ginger. The amount can vary depending on personal taste, but a good starting point is a pinch or two of spice blend per cup of coffee. You can add the spice blend directly into the coffee filter or mix it with the coffee powder before brewing the coffee. If you use a fully automatic machine, you should put the spice mixture in the cup before the coffee is poured into it. It is then passed over the mixture of spices and added to the aromas. Don’t put anything else in the bean container of a fully automatic machine, otherwise the grinder may stick. As the hot coffee flows over the spice blend, a wonderful aromatic scent wafts through the kitchen. So you can enjoy a coffee that invigorates not only the senses, but also the body.
Everything at a glance month after month
With ours Seasonal calendar of wild herbs (available here), you can keep an eye on the most important periods for harvesting wild herbs every month. This way you won’t waste time processing fresh wild herbs or stocking up for drying. The calendar pages are colorfully designed and the calendar can be used again every year! You can also get the calendar in different sets at a cheaper price. Take a look at ours, for example Discovery set for the whole family A (available here). In this set you will also receive our children’s discovery book «Ben and Mara discover the world of wild herbs“(available individually here)
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