Vinegar has been around for thousands of years – in fact traces of it have been found in the tombs of Egyptians dating back to 3000 B.C. and it's even written about in Babylonia texts dating to 5000 B.C. While it was often used in drinks and food there are texts that describe its use for cleaning during the bubonic plague as well as colonial American.
Vinegar is a byproduct of the fermentation process of diluted alcohol products. It contains an organic compound, acetic acid, which gives the vinegar its antiseptic qualities and makes it a good choice for cleaning. Whatever you infuse into your vinegar can boost it’s cleaning power as well!
What you'll need for this project:
How to make your cleaning vinegar:
The size jar I made lasts us quite a long time - about 6 months cleaning the kitchen daily (my husband is a messy - but amazing - cook!!). We've also used it a few times to clean the bathrooms. So you can really save a lot of money making your own cleaning vinegar. I strain the entire vinegar into a separate jar and then dilute as we need it which makes it last even longer.
Likewise you can make an infused vinegar for cooking as well. Just follow the same directions, minus the dilution with water, and add your vinegar to salad dressings, marinades, and any vinegar based sauces, etc. Just make sure that if you plan to consume your infused vinegar that you are using regular vinegar and not commercial cleaning vinegar which can be found in the cleaning aisles. It has a stronger acidity and can cause stomach upset.
This is a great project for getting creative - your choice of items to infuse into your vinegar are pretty limitless. I hope you give this project a try and love it as much as we do :)
]]>Learn how to make your own Fire Cider at home using ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, farmers market, or even your own garden! Fire Cider is a traditional herbal folk remedy for seasonal illnesses. It is an infusion of warming and health supporting ingredients in apple cider vinegar that helps naturally boost your immune system, stimulates digestion (as we know gut health is important to our overall wellness!), and is a warming daily tonic. The final product is spicy, zesty, and slightly sweet! When you make this remember that the quality of your ingredients matters! Use organic when possible.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium to large onion, diced
1 medium horseradish root, grated
1 medium to large piece of ginger, grated
1 bulb of garlic, peeled and crushed
2-4 pieces of turmeric root, grated OR 1-2 TBSP dry
1 lemon sliced, peel on
1 orange sliced, peel on
4-6 hot peppers of your choice sliced (I used jalapeno, serrano, and cayenne)
3-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage OR 2-4 TSP dry
2-4 cinnamon sticks OR 2 TSP dry
Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother
Local Raw Honey
INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare all your vegetable and spices (first 10 ingredients) and pack into clean, sterile mason jars. For the amount of ingredients above, I used two quart sized jars. Once packed, pour apple cider vinegar to the top. Cap, label, and date (do not forget this step - trust me, you will forget the date you made this and or what it is)! I used the plastic, leak-proof Ball jar lids but if you use metal lids you will need to place a piece of wax paper between your jar and lid to prevent rusting. Shake and invert the jar to distribute the vinegar. Place jar(s) in a dark cupboard for 4 weeks, shaking occasionally or about twice a week. After 4 weeks, strain your infusion using cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Add honey to taste and store in clean, sterilized jars.
TO USE:
You can take a teaspoon daily as a wellness tonic during the cold months, or reserve it for seasonal illnesses. You can also use your Fire Cider to make salad dressings or as a seasoning for spicy recipes. Wondering what to do with the leftover veggies and spices after straining? Place them into your dehydrator (or on a sheet pan in your oven on low) and dry them out. Once dry you can grind them up and use as you would any spice blend. It makes a great popcorn topping!
If you make this recipe, please be use to share it on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @goodsapothecary - I can't wait to see your herbal infusions!
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