Organic Pear and Ginger Infused Water

Water infused with spiced ginger carries with it all the benefits of eating the root, especially if we start here by pouring boiling water to extract as much of the goodness as possible.

From a TCM perspective, ginger or ( 生姜 shēng jiāng) is a mild, warming spice which helps dispel cold in the body.

Moreover, ginger supports the lung, spleen and stomach meridians. Not only is it naturally anti-inflammatory, it improves acid reflux and digestion in general, reduces muscle pain, and the active components of ginger, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol have a cytotoxic effect on gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Also, ginger relieves nausea, whether car, sea or morning sickness. It can even help with the nausea experienced by those undergoing chemotherapy.

Balance is key in a recipe and adding sweet organic pears with their cooling, moisturising nature to the warming ginger makes a perfect combination for reducing inflammation and removing phlegm from the body. Recent research suggests that pears may have a lung cancer protective effect, and can help to protect the liver from lipid peroxidation.

The spicy flavour of ginger goes deliciously with the sweetness of pear, add the warming nature of cinnamon and cloves and you have a fantastic combination that will rev up metabolism, help balance blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.

Credits: Ceri, ZENXIN Master Chef

Key facts:

Preparation: 15 mins
Infusion time: Overnight
Total: 15 mins + overnight
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:

2” peeled ginger
8 cups of boiling filtered water
1 ripe organic pear

Optional additions:

4-5 whole organic cloves, lightly bruised to release the aromatics
1 stick Simply Natural organic cinnamon

Method:

Wash and slice the ginger root and place in the selected heat-proof jar.
Add cloves and cinnamon as desired and pour over the boiling filtered water.
Bruise the root and spices with a wooden spoon, steep for 10 mins and leave to cool.
Wash, top, tail and core the pear, cutting it into slices.
When the water is lukewarm, add the pear slices and chill jar overnight.
The next morning your Organic Pear and Ginger Infused Water will be ready to drink.

Tip: For optimum benefits drink within 2 days

N.B. Eat the pear and ginger pieces for even more gut-healthy fibre.

Organic Orange and Blueberry Infused Water

Increasing the level of antioxidants from fresh organic fruit and vegetables in the diet helps reduce inflammation by neutralising harmful free radicals.

And how about drinking antioxidants?

Blueberries are nutrient dense and packed full of antioxidants which help protect against cognitive decline. They are also known for their beautiful purple anthocyanins which help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, thereby supporting cardiovascular health.

Oranges are a great source of vitamin C and the B group vitamins (B1, B5, B6 & B9) which are water soluble and not stored in the body. This means that these vitamins need to be taken in on a daily basis. They also contain the unique soluble fibre pectin.

Pectin is a polysaccharide, a long chain of indigestible sugars which helps decrease inflammation in the gut. This reduces cell damage which is thought to trigger colon cancer.

Pectin also supports gut health through unique gelling properties which soften the stool and speed up the transit time of food. The gelling action also acts to bind and remove cholesterol, triglycerides and even heavy metals. The soluble fibre acts as a prebiotic, improving the health of good bacteria in the gut and forms a protective lining with them to prevent harmful bacteria from attacking the body.

Credits: Ceri, ZENXIN Master Chef

Key facts:

Preparation: 10 mins
Infusion time: Overnight
Total: 10 mins + overnight
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:

1 fresh organic Valencia orange
1 pkt organic blueberries
8 cups of filtered water

Method:

Wash the blueberries.
Wash, top and tail the orange before cutting into thin slices.
Place blueberries and orange slices into selected glass.
Pour on half of the filtered water.
Bruise the fruit a little with a wooden spoon.
Pour on the rest of the water, cover and place to chill overnight.
The next morning your fruit infused water will be ready to drink.

Tip: For optimum benefits drink within 2 days

Organic Cucumber and Mint Infusion

When making infused waters, water quality is important. By using activated filtered water, we ensure that the true taste of the organic fresh produce comes through untainted.

The process of filtration involves passing tap water through a ceramic filter to remove rust and physical particles, then through organic deep sea minerals and far infra-red ceramic balls to enhance cleaned water with trace minerals and to activate water. Finally, the nano-particle silver/activated carbon filter/activated alumina removes treatment chemicals and MS2 level bacteriophage and virus particles.

Part of the healthy Mediterranean diet and used for food and medicinally in India since ancient times, cucumbers (黄瓜 Huáng guā) have thin, dark green skin which contrasts beautifully with the pale green flesh. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cucumbers are known for their ability to clear heat, expel toxins and purify the blood. Most of the benefits are in the skin which contains cucurbitacin, lignans and the anti-ageing flavonoid, fisetin. Known for it’s skin healing properties, cucumber contains anti-inflammatory phytochemicals which are thought to help to inhibit reproduction of cancer cells and prevent atherosclerosis.

Like cucumber, mint is known for its delicious, refreshing aroma. Not only is the smell uplifting, it is thought to improve memory, lower levels of frustration and relieve anxiety and fatigue. It is also thought to ease indigestion and improve irritable bowel disease. In TCM, mint is used for headaches, upset stomachs, colds and sore throats, dispersing wind heat and freeing the constrained liver’s qi.

Credits: Ceri, ZENXIN Master Chef

Key facts:

Preparation: 10 mins
Infusion time: Overnight
Total: 10 mins + overnight
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:

1 organic Japanese cucumber
1 handful of fresh organic mint
8 cups of filtered water

Method:

Wash, top and tail the cucumber, use a mandolin to produce thin slices.
Wash the mint and place together with the cucumber into the selected jar.
Add half of the filtered water and bruise the mint and cucumber with a wooden spoon.
Pour over the rest of the water and set to chill overnight.
The next morning, your fruit infused water will be ready to drink.

(Cucumber is a fruit)

Tip: For optimum benefits drink within 2 days