Herbal Vinegars
In the kitchen, homemade herbal vinegars can be used to add a zing to a salad dressing, a twist to pickled vegetables or to perk up a marinade.
White or red wine vinegar, malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar are all good choices as a base.
Tips on how to make Herbal Vinegars: Spread fresh herbs out in a warm place to dry for a day to reduce their moisture contents.
Place about half a cup of partially dried herbs in a sterilised 500ml bottle, add vinegar until full.
Seal and leave to infuse in a dark spot for at least three weeks, shaking every now and then.
Strain and decant into a storage bottle.
Recipe ideas: Raspberry and winter savory vinegar: With its fruity flavour this vinegar makes a great addition to salad dressings and is healthy to boot, raspberry is a natural antioxidant and savory aids digestion.
Use white wine vinegar as a base.
Elderflower vinegar: This vinegar embodies the fresh taste of summer and is a good way to preserve elderflowers, which can be harvested when the blooms are fully open.
Try it in salad dressings or mix with honey and lemon to make a hot toddy to dread colds and flu.
Use white wine or apple cider vinegar as a base.
Mixed Mediterranean herbs and chilli: Any combination of Mediterranean herbs can be used to create a flavourful vinegar with a spicy bite.
Use red or white wine vinegar as a base.
MEDICINAL HERB VINEGARS When taken on their own some vinegar have potent therapeutic qualities.
So with the added healing value of extra herbs, an infused medicinal vinegar can pack a powerful punch especially as it's more concentrated than its culinary counterparts.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most useful bases as it has its own beneficial medicinal qualities:
Fill a sterilised bottle with the partially dried herbs and cover with apple cider vinegar.
Seal and leve to infuse in a dark spot for at least six weeks, shaking every now and then, Strain and decant into a storage bottle RECIPE IDEAS: Thyme and tea tree sore throat spray: Start using this spray the minute you feel a sore throat coming on and it will help kill off any infection.
Infuse 1 cup thyme and tea tree leaves in 1 cup apple cider vinegar for six weeks.
Strain into a spray bottle and add half a teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup distilled water and about 10 drops each of tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils and mix.
Store in a cool, dark place.
To use, shake well and spray the mixture on the back of your throat and tongue.
CLEANING WITH HERB VINEGARS Vinegar is an excellent all-purpose cleanser and disinfectant and when added to laundry rinse water will whiten whites.
it removes stains, cleans brass, copper and pewter and removes odours from fridges or rooms.
Recipe idea: General cleaner: Use this fresh-smelling cleaner for bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
Infuse 1 cup of fresh thyme, tea tree and rosemary (all dried for a day) in 1 cup of spirit vinegar for six weeks.
Strain the vinegar into a spray bottle and add 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda and a few drops each of citronella, bergamot, rosemary and tea tree essential oils.
Spray on surfaces and leve for 10 minutes before wiping clean.
White or red wine vinegar, malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar are all good choices as a base.
Tips on how to make Herbal Vinegars: Spread fresh herbs out in a warm place to dry for a day to reduce their moisture contents.
Place about half a cup of partially dried herbs in a sterilised 500ml bottle, add vinegar until full.
Seal and leave to infuse in a dark spot for at least three weeks, shaking every now and then.
Strain and decant into a storage bottle.
Recipe ideas: Raspberry and winter savory vinegar: With its fruity flavour this vinegar makes a great addition to salad dressings and is healthy to boot, raspberry is a natural antioxidant and savory aids digestion.
Use white wine vinegar as a base.
Elderflower vinegar: This vinegar embodies the fresh taste of summer and is a good way to preserve elderflowers, which can be harvested when the blooms are fully open.
Try it in salad dressings or mix with honey and lemon to make a hot toddy to dread colds and flu.
Use white wine or apple cider vinegar as a base.
Mixed Mediterranean herbs and chilli: Any combination of Mediterranean herbs can be used to create a flavourful vinegar with a spicy bite.
Use red or white wine vinegar as a base.
MEDICINAL HERB VINEGARS When taken on their own some vinegar have potent therapeutic qualities.
So with the added healing value of extra herbs, an infused medicinal vinegar can pack a powerful punch especially as it's more concentrated than its culinary counterparts.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most useful bases as it has its own beneficial medicinal qualities:
- Inhaling apple cider vinegar steam will reduce bronchial spasms and clear sinuses.
- it prevents infections, relieves sore throats, eases digestive upsets and soothes sunburn.
- it relaxes tired and aching bodies, relieves painful insect stings and headaches, treats urinary tract infections and clears dandruff.
Fill a sterilised bottle with the partially dried herbs and cover with apple cider vinegar.
Seal and leve to infuse in a dark spot for at least six weeks, shaking every now and then, Strain and decant into a storage bottle RECIPE IDEAS: Thyme and tea tree sore throat spray: Start using this spray the minute you feel a sore throat coming on and it will help kill off any infection.
Infuse 1 cup thyme and tea tree leaves in 1 cup apple cider vinegar for six weeks.
Strain into a spray bottle and add half a teaspoon sea salt, 1 cup distilled water and about 10 drops each of tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils and mix.
Store in a cool, dark place.
To use, shake well and spray the mixture on the back of your throat and tongue.
CLEANING WITH HERB VINEGARS Vinegar is an excellent all-purpose cleanser and disinfectant and when added to laundry rinse water will whiten whites.
it removes stains, cleans brass, copper and pewter and removes odours from fridges or rooms.
Recipe idea: General cleaner: Use this fresh-smelling cleaner for bathroom and kitchen surfaces.
Infuse 1 cup of fresh thyme, tea tree and rosemary (all dried for a day) in 1 cup of spirit vinegar for six weeks.
Strain the vinegar into a spray bottle and add 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda and a few drops each of citronella, bergamot, rosemary and tea tree essential oils.
Spray on surfaces and leve for 10 minutes before wiping clean.
