Posts published in “Food & Cuisine”

Get To Know About The Health Benefits That Stat Fruit Provides

By admin on December 14, 2021

There are numerous fruits in the world yet, we only know some of them and continue to consume them only. One of the fruits that are not that common is the Star fruit. This fruit has many other names as well like Carambola or 5 fingers. This fruit is of the Averrhoa carambola which can mostly be found in Southeast Asia. As mentioned above, this fruit is not known to a lot of people but it is highly consumed in several parts of Brazil, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the South Pacific, and Micronesia, some parts of East Asia, the United States, and the Caribbean. Hence, this fruit is more consumed in the South of Asia.

The amazing thing about this fruit is that it contains extremely low numbers of calories but it is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and B vitamins. It also has a good amount of phosphorus, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and potassium. Moreover, there are high amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids present in this fruit which is a good anti-inflammatory for the skin. This can also avoid serious skin disorders like psoriasis and dermatitis. It also promotes weight loss. Therefore, if you are trying to lose weight then having this fruit will be a good option.

Why You Should Consume Custard Apple With Caution

When people usually hear the name custard apple, they usually think it is a custard which as a flavor or apple. Well, that is wrong and this in fact is a fruit as well. You may know this fruit by its other names like cherimoya, Brazilian paw paw, Graviola, and much more. This fruit comes from a West Indian tree and it is a large heart-shaped fruit. It is green and it has leathery skin with sweet flesh. It is more originated in the Andes mountain of South America and it is also grown in the tropical areas but only which have high altitudes. It is often eaten with a spoon and it is served chilled like a custard. That is where it got its name from as well. It has a similar taste to bananas and pineapples.

This fruit is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This also reduces inflammation and promotes eye and heart health. Though, this fruit may have some drawbacks. Some certain parts of cherimoya contain toxins that if eaten in high amounts, may damage your nervous system. If you are moody or just do not feel like it then this one is for you. Cherimoya contains an excellent amount of vitamin B6 which is great for lifting your mood. B6 has different important functions therefore, it not only just cheers you up but also helps reduce depression. If you are someone who suffers from irregular levels of blood pressure then you should surely add this fruit to your diet. Cherimoya is high in nutrients like potassium and magnesium which will help regulate your blood pressure levels.

4 Foods to Help Boost Your Immune System

By admin on April 10, 2021

As we age and progress in life, succeed in our career, and establish families of our own, we best believe that we are not growing any younger, and it is crucial to consume all the food that will help you strengthen your immune system in the long run. Therefore, you wonder what food can help you remain healthy; then, this article is the perfect one for you. Rest assured that we will provide the best consumable goods that you can eat to stay healthy and strong regardless of age.

With that in mind, here are a few of the food consumables that will help you boost your immune system as time passes by.

The Broccoli

Broccoli has been known for its tree-like appearance, which has a robust green feature that will surely overwhelm you at first glance. Most people tend to despise this vegetable at first because of its intimidating appearance but once they have tasted the food, rest assured that it will never disappoint. Also, this vegetable is more than a green-coloured consumable. Instead, it entails vitamins A, C, and E, which indicates that it truly creates a positive impact on your health as a whole.

You may opt to purchase broccoli in every local market and if you are wondering where to buy rose water then, rest assured that it will be available in the healthy options section of your local grocery shop.

The Citrus Family

The citrus family contains several members that all entails nutritious values in the long run. These fruits are oranges, grapefruits, clementines, tangerines, limes, and lemons. Rest assured that these fruits are always available in your local store; therefore, you do not have any reason for not purchasing one. Moreover, if you plan but do not know where to buy rose water, adding lemon pieces to your water can be a soothing practice. Thus, it will detoxify the toxins found inside your body in the long run.

The Garlic

Garlic is part of every cuisine globally because it entails several beneficial factors in every aspect of one’s life. Thus, it allows a dish to smell and taste good without compromising the overall nutrients it entails and honestly, your meal will not be complete if you do not have garlic in it. Therefore, it would be best always to prepare the garlic fest beforehand. Never forget that you have to add to your entire course meal. As a result, the people who may opt to taste your masterpiece will be in awe because of how good-tasting it can be.

The Yoghurt

A yoghurt meal is an excellent addition to your entire course entrée because it will balance out the salty taste that the food entails. Thus, it is served best when cold because the yoghurt’s consistency will be top-notch if it remains at a cool temperature. You can also customise your yoghurt meal upon eating by adding granola, cereals, or any other fruits to enjoy the course in the best way possible entirely. Moreover, it is easy to prepare, which is an excellent thing because it will no longer prolong your hunger and craving.

The Bottom Line

Upon eating the stated foods, rest assured that your health will never be compromised because the only factors you eat bring nothing more than beneficial aspects. Therefore, you can ensure your family’s safety from bacteria-causing illnesses because the food you may opt to consume will strengthen one’s overall health. Thus, please intertwine the procedure with a healthy practice, such as exercising, for a better outcome.

A Complete Method to Preserve Nutrients While Cooking Veggies

By admin on March 8, 2021

The way you cook your meals can impact the number of nutrients and vitamins you take in. You go out to buy the freshest and healthiest vegetables, get up to start making a healthy meal. Vegetables indeed contain many nutrients, and vitamins and cooked vegetables taste amazing. But the way you cook them can make a vital difference in the number of vitamins and nutrients you preserve. Fresh vegetables contain more nutrients than canned veggies. Frozen veggies stored in blast freezers also hold the same amount of nutrients as fresh veggies. If you are retaining nutrients, the cooked meal will give you maximum health benefits. Here’s what you can do to preserve maximum nutrients while cooking.

The Method of Cooking

The method of cooking matters so much when preparing a healthy meal. The way you are cooking food can vary the number of nutrients you preserve. The best way to cook veggies is by steaming them. It retains maximum nutrients. You can also try different methods. Grilling is also a great way to cook, but make sure you don’t overcook it. You can also bake, boil, or roast the veggies. Another way to cook veggies that will give you the tastiest result is by sautéing them. Do not boil the veggies unless you are making soup.

Limit the Water

The amount of water (if you are using it) can affect your veggie nutrient content. The more water you use, the more nutrients you lose. If you cook veggies in water, you will surely lose nutrients. Do you notice the green hue left in the water after boiling broccoli? It means that the vitamin C and B gets leached in the water. To prevent this, try to cook veggies in as little water as possible for a minimal amount of time. If you want to cool your vegetables, do not plunge them into an ice bath.

Use less Fat

It is a fact that a healthy meal contains less fat. Eating steamed vegetables is healthy, but everyone wants to add a bit of fat to have a tasty meal. Nutrients like beta carotene and vitamin D are fat-soluble. Methods like sautéing and stir-frying include the usage of fat. So, when you are tossing the vegetables, make sure you use just a little fat. You can use any vegetable oil. Cooking spray is the best option, while butter is the worst. Just a bit of oil can take your meal to the next level.

Do not Overcook

It is crucial that you should never overcook your veggies. Overcooking the veggies has many disadvantages. The main disadvantage of overcooking is losing the nutrients. It also drains the flavor of the veggies. If you cook vegetables properly, you can get peek nutrition. Overcooking will cause the loss of many crucial vitamins and nutrients. The flavor of your overcooked veggies will not taste good. Hence the rule to make a tasty and healthy meal is not to overcook. Stir-fry the vegetables for just a few minutes to get the best results. Make sure that the vegetables do not get mushy. Because the texture of the vegetable matters so much. Overcooked vegetables will lose their bright colors, and they will not look good. Overcooking will affect the texture, appearance, flavor, and nutrition of your veggies.

Which Green Tea Is Best For Weight Loss?

By admin on May 28, 2020

Green tea is gaining popularity over the world due to its unique taste and health benefits. The Source of green tea is the same plant that gives black tea. It is just the different level of oxidation which causes them to be different from each other. There is a wide variety of green tea produced, differentiated by such factors as growth method, the timing of leaves, harvesting, and processing method. Freshly picked raw green tea leaves are steamed and roasted to stop the progress of fermentation.

Best green tea is thought to be one of the healthiest beverages in the world. It is full of antioxidants and other chemical compounds that may benefit your health. It increases fat burning. Research shows that green tea reduces body fat especially in the abdomen area. In this article we will cover all the important information related to green tea and weight loss.

Chemical Substances In The Green Tea Which Help You Lose Fat

Green tea is full of potent antioxidants known as catechins. Epigallocatechin gallate is one of the most important catechins available in the green tea. It boosts the metabolism of the body.

According to different studies taking one cup on green tea can significantly increase the number of antioxidants in your blood. The presence of caffeine in green tea is usually associated with the burning of fat and improving exercise performance. Green tea extracts are a more concentrated source of catechins that raise antioxidant levels.

Green Tea Can Mobilize Fat From Fat Cells

Studies on the different animals reveal that the active ingredients in the best green tea can aid the process of breaking the fat in fat cells and boost the effect of fat-burning hormones like norepinephrine.

Epigallocatechin gallate in the best green tea help to inhibit the enzyme that breaks down the hormone norepinephrine. Since the enzyme is inhibited the number of norepinephrine increases in the blood which promotes the breakdown of fat in the body. There is a synergistic effect produced by caffeine and Epigallocatechin gallate, resulting in faster fat breakdown.

Green Tea Increases Fat Burning

According to studies green tea consumption before exercise increases the fat burning effect up to 17%. Green tea boosts the effect of fat burning during exercise. There are studies available that show the catechins increased fat burning not during exercise but also in resting condition.

Green Tea Boost Your Metabolic Rate

Our body constantly needs energy to perform different functions. Calories are being burnt every time to supply energy to body cells even when we are in a relaxed sitting state or sleeping. It has been found that people who take the best green tea extracts burn more calories even at rest positions. Obese people can take benefit from it by using green tea on a regular basis. As it will not only increase their metabolism for now but also impact in the long term increase metabolic rate. The effect of green tea extract on boosting metabolism varies from person to person.

Green Tea Affecting The Appetite

There is not enough data to support the fact that green tea reduces appetite. But some studies conducted on animals found that green tea extracts with epigallocatechin gallate reduce the amount of fat we absorb from food.

In different reviews it is found that people who consume green tea regularly tend to lose three pounds of weight as compared to the ones, not on green tea. Catechins are available in green tea help to lose belly fat.

Green tea containing epigallocatechin gallate causes an increase in fat burning and metabolic rate but when it comes to weight loss there is not many numbers to support it. Despite this fact green tea has many other beneficial health benefits.

How To Make Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea

By admin on May 6, 2020

Evoke the feeling of being in a traditional Marrakech souk by making this refreshing herbal beverage which has a whole host of health benefits.

Moroccan mint tea, actually a green tea steeped with spearmint and other herbs, has become synonymous with the culture and cuisine of Morocco. Its low caffeine content means that it can be drunk any time of the day and is traditionally given to welcome guests.

Introduced in the 12^th century, Moroccan mint tea is as popular as ever today as drinkers enjoy its sweet flavour and revitalising properties. Many also chose it for its health benefits as it is full of antioxidants and relieves a number of symptoms including indigestion, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good choice for anxiety sufferers asit has a mild sedative and calming effect.

It’s easy to whip up a batch of your own delicious traditional Moroccan Mint Tea to energise you during your workday or as a relaxing evening drink. All you will need is:

Ingredients

1 tablespoon loose Chinese gunpowder green tea
5 cups boiling water
Granulated sugar or honey – to taste
1 large bunch fresh mint
Selection of other herbs (optional). A sprig of sage, wormwood, lemon verbena, wild thyme are all good choices

Equipment

A teapot/ or stovetop teapot
Tea glasses

Method

Pour a cup of boiling water into the teapot and swish it around to warm the pot before pouring it out
Add the tablespoon of loose gunpowder green tea to the teapot
Add a cup of boiling water to the teapot and let it brew for 1 minute then pour out the liquid into a tea glass and save it to one side
Wash the tea leaves by adding another cup of boiling water to the pot, swirl the water around to ‘wash’ the leaves, drain and discard this liquid
Wash your fresh mint and other herbs if using in a bowl of cold water and drain
Fill the pot about two-thirds full with boiling water and add the reserved tea and mint and other herbs if using
Allow the tea to brew for 3-4 minutes
Add sugar to taste and a few mint sprigs and let it brew for 3 minutes more
Moroccan tea is traditionally mixed not by stirring but by pouring the just-steeped tea into a glass and then pour the tea back into the pot. Repeat this process four or five times.
To serve add a sprig of fresh mint to each glass and pour into in small heatproof glasses and relish a moment of calm as you inhale the sweet aroma of the infused mint leaves

Moroccan mint tea is an excellent accompaniment to light snacks of nuts and dried fruits, it also complements traditional Moroccan cuisine and acts as a refreshing after dinner palette cleanser.