By Rachel De Thample
Everyone knows that chamomile tea is the answer to a good night’s sleep, that lemon tea is an invigorating way to start your morning and that ginger tea can settle your stomach. But did you know that Jamu Kunyit, a ginger and turmeric tonic, is the Balinese equivalent of ‘an apple a day’ to ‘keep health problems at bay’; that herbal medicinal vinegars can be antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral as well as helping fight respiratory infections, coughs and bronchitis; or that adding black pepper and coconut oil to any turmeric drink can help your body reap the benefits more effectively?
Rachel de Thample has gathered a collection of the best of these ancient drinks and traditional remedies, along with a few modern spins, offering tips on how to best build them into a busy lifestyle. Organised into three chapters, she covers Tonics such as Dairy Keifr, Beet Kvass, Nettle Tonic and Ginger Shots; Teas such as Grasshopper Tea, Spice Route Tea, Armenian Herbal Tea and Afghan Pin Chai, plus delicious and beneficial Drinks such as Elderflower Cordial, Amazake and Kombucha.
About the Author
Rachel de Thample trained as a journalist and also worked in the kitchens of Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal before becoming a food writer. She was Head of Food for the organic food box scheme Abel & Cole, and currently teaches preserving at River Cottage HQ and a wild food cookery course at Made in Hackney. She is a contributing editor at both Locavore magazine and the Green Guide. She has previously written two books, Less Meat More Veg (Kyle Books) and Five (Ebury Press).