Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. But why and what is saffron that makes it so expensive and why are we prepared to pay this high price?
Even today the delicate saffron threads are harvested by hand, the same way it's been cultivated and harvested for thousands of years! And it's the yellow-orange stigma (thread) of the saffron crocus that is so prized.
Not only is this harvesting backbreaking and labour intensive, but each crocus flower only contains three threads, and to get just a single pound of saffron threads takes the individual picking of 75000 saffron plants growing in an area the size of a football field! It's therefore no real surprise that this spice is so expensive.
Originally native to Asia, the use of saffron spread along the spice routes into Europe and then India and China where it has been cultivated, harvested and utilized in a number of ways for over 4,000 years!
There is mention of saffron in an Assyrian botanical document dated to the 7th-century BC. And you'll find frequent mention of this delicate spice in ancient Chinese medical texts and referenced in many other old medical writings.
For instance, historical records show that the Tamil's have been using saffron for over 2000 years as a headache cure and to help with labour and births. The ancient Persians used saffron to aid digestive and stomach ailments. And the ancient Chinese were using it to heal bruising and to increase blood circulation.
Throughout his military campaigns in Persia, Alexander the Great is said to have used saffron-infused baths to help heal his battle wounds. The Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, also bathed in saffron water, but she did so for cosmetic reasons. She also believed it increased arousal and sexual pleasure!
More recent studies into the health benefits of saffron have shown that it's beneficial to your optical health and may protect, and in some cases reverse, age related macular degeneration, a common form of blindness in the elderly.
Other research has shown saffron spice and its constituent chemicals may be useful for treating ailments ranging from depression to weight loss to Alzheimer's!
Today the saffron crocus is cultivated and harvested in lots of countries, from Spain, Italy, Azerbaijan, Greece and Morocco to name just a few. But it's Iran with over 90 per cent of the world's supply that is by far the biggest producer.
But even despite the cost, saffron spice is still widely used in a variety of ways in cultures and cuisines throughout the world. It's most obvious use is of course in cooking, where it's used in many classical and traditional dishes.
You'll find infused saffron in the famous Spanish paella, Milanese risotto and the Iberian fish stew, zarvelas. On the Indian subcontinent and in Middle Eastern countries you'll find many saffron flavoured breads, curries and pilafs. Extensive use of saffron in cooking also extends to Persian, Turkish and Central Asian cuisines.
Saffron also has excellent staining qualities, and 2000 years ago if a Buddhist monk wanted to dye his robe it's saffron he'd have used. Today, due to saffron's prohibitive cost, they tend to use the much cheaper turmeric spice for traditional dyeing purposes. Though you'll still find the Chinese and Indians using saffron as a fabric dye.
But why and what is saffron spice that gives it such valuable characteristics? Saffron contains the chemicals safranel and picrocrocin which when combined give the spice its unique flavour and scent. And it's the natural chemical compound crocin that gives saffron its distinctive colour.
So, now you know "what is saffron", you have to ask yourself is it worth it?
Quality saffron has an intense flavour and a little certainly goes a long way, and with its culinary and medicinal benefits, I think, used sparingly it is worth the cost. So buy the best saffron you can and definitely buy the whole threads and not the bland pre-ground stuff.
Stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight will ensure it retains its potency and flavour for longer.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
How to Choose the Right Multi-Toe Shoe for Athletic Training
With the boom of multi-toe shoes sold by companies such as Vibram, Fila, and a host of others, how do you know which shoe is best for you? It may not be as hard as you think. Even if you are very aware of your own foot limitations (pronate, supinate, normal, etc.) these types of shoes should not scare you away from their benefits. I have tested several pairs of these multi-toe shoes and although there are similar there are some things to keep in mind before you choose one:
TRY THEM ON - Unless you have bought a pair from a specific manufacturer you need to make sure you have walked in them. You will find that in some cases the sizes will vary from what is labeled to how it fits. I had to buy a pair that was a size larger in order for the shoe to be comfortably snug to my feet in most cases, regardless of manufacturer. In many cases these types of shoes may be considered a specialty item so you probably will be tempted to buy them online. Buy at your own risk, but keep in mind they may be snug if you order the size that you normally wear.
YOUR FEET WILL SWEAT - It sounds stupid to say, but the material for these shoes is similar to a water shoe in some cases, and your feet will sweat. I found that some brands had a better air circulation system for the shoe than others, but don't be surprised that your foot will sweat more than your use to. This is due to the fact that you're probably going to wear them without socks. Considering that you can wear these shoes in any terrain, including water, there is some encouragement to not wear socks.
THEY SELL SOCKS FOR THEM TOO - Yes, they have multi-toe socks that can be used with these types of shoes. I wore a pair, and they were not too bad. They do make a difference if you are a heavy sweater, or you plan in being in a warm/hot terrain using them. I didn't use socks too often with the shoes because I was comfortable in them pretty much as soon as I put them on.
DON'T START RUNNING IN THEM RIGHT AWAY - I have met with various types of people from athletes to office people that wear them, and regardless of how you will use the shoes it takes some time for your body to become accustom to the how your feet move inside the shoes. In some cases, oddities such as a toe dragging on the pavement as you run will be something that you should learn gradually. That is not the shoe that is how your foot naturally moves as you jog, walk, or run.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME - In most cases, the shoes look similar. But, they differ in terms of material and the sole. Some manufacturers use an anti-bacterial rubber. This comes in handy as like I mentioned, your feet will sweat in them. Also, the material differs on the shoe-upper as well. In this case, the more expensive shoe is often a better quality all-the-way around in terms of extras. If cost is a factor, there are some great alternatives, but saving up for the right pair for you won't hurt.
In the end, you will see that these multi-toe shoes will be a good change to any activity, especially the athletic/training type of activities. Go slow, and enjoy!
If you have any questions about this article feel free to visit me at five-fingers-shoes-socks.com. You can also see our wide variety of sports shoes.
Anthony Canon authors articles on varying subjects of interest. He holds a Master of Arts in Communication and authored a Thesis relating to Image Restoration Methodologies that analyzed Professional Sports Figures. Anthony Canon conducts research into each topic that he writes on, and provides thorough and easily readable articles for an enjoyable reading. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys a myriad of athletic pursuits.
TRY THEM ON - Unless you have bought a pair from a specific manufacturer you need to make sure you have walked in them. You will find that in some cases the sizes will vary from what is labeled to how it fits. I had to buy a pair that was a size larger in order for the shoe to be comfortably snug to my feet in most cases, regardless of manufacturer. In many cases these types of shoes may be considered a specialty item so you probably will be tempted to buy them online. Buy at your own risk, but keep in mind they may be snug if you order the size that you normally wear.
YOUR FEET WILL SWEAT - It sounds stupid to say, but the material for these shoes is similar to a water shoe in some cases, and your feet will sweat. I found that some brands had a better air circulation system for the shoe than others, but don't be surprised that your foot will sweat more than your use to. This is due to the fact that you're probably going to wear them without socks. Considering that you can wear these shoes in any terrain, including water, there is some encouragement to not wear socks.
THEY SELL SOCKS FOR THEM TOO - Yes, they have multi-toe socks that can be used with these types of shoes. I wore a pair, and they were not too bad. They do make a difference if you are a heavy sweater, or you plan in being in a warm/hot terrain using them. I didn't use socks too often with the shoes because I was comfortable in them pretty much as soon as I put them on.
DON'T START RUNNING IN THEM RIGHT AWAY - I have met with various types of people from athletes to office people that wear them, and regardless of how you will use the shoes it takes some time for your body to become accustom to the how your feet move inside the shoes. In some cases, oddities such as a toe dragging on the pavement as you run will be something that you should learn gradually. That is not the shoe that is how your foot naturally moves as you jog, walk, or run.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME - In most cases, the shoes look similar. But, they differ in terms of material and the sole. Some manufacturers use an anti-bacterial rubber. This comes in handy as like I mentioned, your feet will sweat in them. Also, the material differs on the shoe-upper as well. In this case, the more expensive shoe is often a better quality all-the-way around in terms of extras. If cost is a factor, there are some great alternatives, but saving up for the right pair for you won't hurt.
In the end, you will see that these multi-toe shoes will be a good change to any activity, especially the athletic/training type of activities. Go slow, and enjoy!
If you have any questions about this article feel free to visit me at five-fingers-shoes-socks.com. You can also see our wide variety of sports shoes.
Anthony Canon authors articles on varying subjects of interest. He holds a Master of Arts in Communication and authored a Thesis relating to Image Restoration Methodologies that analyzed Professional Sports Figures. Anthony Canon conducts research into each topic that he writes on, and provides thorough and easily readable articles for an enjoyable reading. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys a myriad of athletic pursuits.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
How Alcachofa Benefits You
Recently, there has been an increasing trend in alcachofa supplements. The primary ingredient in alcachofa supplements is artichoke extract (alcachofa is the Spanish word for artichoke). But how exactly does alcachofa really help us? What are the health benefits of alcachofa?
We've learned that antioxidants are an important part of human health. Because artichokes are one of the highest source of antioxidants in vegetables, alcachofa products are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help our bodies prevent and combat free radicals, which is extremely important because those free radicals can damage cells and thus lead to cancer. So because alcachofa is packed with antioxidants, it helps protect our bodies and reduce the chances of cancer.
The artichoke extract in alcachofa has also been proven to help the body create more bile, which is beneficial to the digestive system in many ways. The body uses bile to help break down fats in the foods you eat. By increasing the amount of bile our body produces, alcachofa helps prevent all kinds of digestive problems, including upset stomach, gas, bloating, and indigestion. However, people with gallstones should avoid alcachofa because the increase in bile and contractions of the gall bladder might encourage gallstones to pass.
A lesser known benefit of alcachofa is that it helps reduce cholesterol, which is a very prominent health issue in the United States today. Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver that will stick to the inner walls of arteries, making it more difficult for blood to pass through. Having high cholesterol increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. The typical diet in the US generally contains too much cholesterol and saturated fat so in order to combat cholesterol without changing diet, we must adjust our lifestyles in other ways, like exercise and taking alcachofa supplements.
Another common health problem in the United States is high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another problem that can cause cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is caused by excess salts in the body. Alcachofa can promote the reduction of high blood pressure by helping our bodies remove the excess sodium from the body, and thus keeping our cardiovascular system in tip top shape.
By far the most common function of alcachofa supplements is weight loss. Artichoke extract is shown to have diuretic properties, which means it helps flushes water out of the body. Our bodies have a tendency to retain water and bloat, thus causing us to appear larger than we would otherwise. Because alcachofa fights water retention and bloating by flushing excess water from the body, our bodies then become slimmer.
Alcachofa can be found in many forms of dietary supplements. Although they are usually primarily marketed as weight loss supplements, the presence of artichoke extract means that any supplement with alcachofa in it provides the health benefits listed above. Ampolletas de alcachofa are vials that contain a liquid supplement, however these supplements are known to taste badly, so instead of taking alcachofa ampolletas, many people opt to take alcachofa capsules.
As with any type of dietary supplement, make sure to contact your doctor or health care physician before using alcachofa extract. Some people who should not use alcachofa extract are the people who are allergic to the asteraceae family which includes sunflower seeds and chrysanthemum flower.
We've learned that antioxidants are an important part of human health. Because artichokes are one of the highest source of antioxidants in vegetables, alcachofa products are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help our bodies prevent and combat free radicals, which is extremely important because those free radicals can damage cells and thus lead to cancer. So because alcachofa is packed with antioxidants, it helps protect our bodies and reduce the chances of cancer.
The artichoke extract in alcachofa has also been proven to help the body create more bile, which is beneficial to the digestive system in many ways. The body uses bile to help break down fats in the foods you eat. By increasing the amount of bile our body produces, alcachofa helps prevent all kinds of digestive problems, including upset stomach, gas, bloating, and indigestion. However, people with gallstones should avoid alcachofa because the increase in bile and contractions of the gall bladder might encourage gallstones to pass.
A lesser known benefit of alcachofa is that it helps reduce cholesterol, which is a very prominent health issue in the United States today. Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver that will stick to the inner walls of arteries, making it more difficult for blood to pass through. Having high cholesterol increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. The typical diet in the US generally contains too much cholesterol and saturated fat so in order to combat cholesterol without changing diet, we must adjust our lifestyles in other ways, like exercise and taking alcachofa supplements.
Another common health problem in the United States is high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another problem that can cause cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is caused by excess salts in the body. Alcachofa can promote the reduction of high blood pressure by helping our bodies remove the excess sodium from the body, and thus keeping our cardiovascular system in tip top shape.
By far the most common function of alcachofa supplements is weight loss. Artichoke extract is shown to have diuretic properties, which means it helps flushes water out of the body. Our bodies have a tendency to retain water and bloat, thus causing us to appear larger than we would otherwise. Because alcachofa fights water retention and bloating by flushing excess water from the body, our bodies then become slimmer.
Alcachofa can be found in many forms of dietary supplements. Although they are usually primarily marketed as weight loss supplements, the presence of artichoke extract means that any supplement with alcachofa in it provides the health benefits listed above. Ampolletas de alcachofa are vials that contain a liquid supplement, however these supplements are known to taste badly, so instead of taking alcachofa ampolletas, many people opt to take alcachofa capsules.
As with any type of dietary supplement, make sure to contact your doctor or health care physician before using alcachofa extract. Some people who should not use alcachofa extract are the people who are allergic to the asteraceae family which includes sunflower seeds and chrysanthemum flower.
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