Snickerdoodle cookies, gingerbread houses and cookies, pumpkin pie and hot apple cider give rise to some of the scents of the holiday season. Our memories are profoundly infused with the tastes and smells swirling all around us during this magical time of year and are attached to the holiday traditions that we celebrate. The holidays wouldn’t be as merry without them.
During the season, we spend many hours in the kitchen preparing dishes with the traditional spices such as nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and ginger. They add flavour and aromas to our everyday dishes. These fragrant spices not only fill our homes with enticing aromas, but they also have proven health benefits.
Allspice
Allspice is a staple in many kitchens as a variety of foods benefit from this seasoning. Ground allspice features a sharp spicy bite and an aroma that closely resembles a mixture of black-pepper, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. The seasoning shines in desserts such as apple or pumpkin pie, fruit compotes, cookies, gingerbread and spice cake.
Allspice’s delicious flavour boasts health benefits as it is rich in health promoting and disease preventing features due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory elements. This spice is a powerhouse of vitamin A, vitamin B6, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. By consuming foods rich in vitamins, the body develops resistance against infectious agents and harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. Allspice contains iron, which is essential for red blood cell production in the bone marrow, and potassium, which regulates heart rate and blood pressure. Other active compounds in allspice are known to be anti-inflammatory and have anti-flatulent properties. These active ingredients increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and aid in digestion.
Pimento, another component of allspice, contains health promoting essential oils such as eugenol, which gives the pleasant, sweet aromatic fragrance to this spice. Eugenol has local anesthetic and antiseptic properties, which have been in therapeutic use in dentistry as a local anesthetic and as antiseptic for teeth and gums. The essential volatile oils in the spice work as a rubefacient, which means that the oil irritates the skin expanding blood vessels resulting in increased blood flow that makes the skin feel warmer. This oil is a popular home remedy for arthritis and sore muscles when used as a poultice.
Cinnamon
Of all the holiday spices, cinnamon is the most familiar and most widely used. The scent, according to a research study, is the most strongly associated with Christmas. It is no coincidence that coffee houses and cafés across Canada begin selling drinks heavily infused with cinnamon around the holidays. This spice seems more enjoyable when it is cold outside, and the magic of the holidays is in the air.
Cinnamon is a light-brown spice with a fragrant aroma and a sweet flavour. Cinnamon is widely used in various holiday baked goods such as cookies, especially snickerdoodles. The spice is also found in applesauce and in warm drinks like teas and cider.
Cinnamon has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer medicinal benefits. Cinnamon is a nutritional powerhouse with antioxidant properties that keep cells from deteriorating fighting diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and Parkinson’s. According to scientific research, cinnamon helps the hormone insulin work more efficiently, which reduces blood sugar levels. Due to its antifungal properties, the spice is utilized in the natural treatment of yeast infections and athlete’s foot. And cinnamon tea calms an upset stomach.
Ginger
More than any other time of year, the holidays are about flavours. Ginger is one traditional spice that truly represents this special time of year. This spice has a unique flavour profile and has one of the most exceptional aromas, making it a holiday favourite. Ginger is a traditional ingredient in cookies, breads and candy. The spice is used at Christmas to make gingerbread cookies or to build little gingerbread houses that can be decorated with icing and candy. Ginger is also used in holiday beverages like ginger ale and ginger beer.
The spice is popular also because of its medicinal properties. Studies have consistently shown that one gram or more of ginger can successfully treat nausea caused by morning sickness, chemotherapy, indigestion or sea sickness. Ginger also appears to have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help with pain management by blocking inflammation pathways in the body. Some studies have shown ginger can reduce osteoarthritis symptoms.
Nutmeg
The scent of nutmeg evokes images of fall, pumpkin pie, and hot apple cider. Whether sprinkled on top of a cup of eggnog or as ingredient in pumpkin pie, fragrant nutmeg is a familiar holiday spice and is available ground or whole. The nutmeg has a sweet, warm, nutty flavour and scent. Ground nutmeg is an ideal baking spice and is complimentary in sweet breads, spice cakes, muffins, cookies, fruit pies, custards and puddings. It combines well with many cheeses and is included in soufflés and sauces. Nutmeg is indispensable to eggnog and numerous mulled wines and punches.
Nutmeg possesses strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The spice has been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gastrointestinal illnesses. The flavour and therapeutic actions are believed to be due to its oil. Used in small doses, nutmeg can reduce flatulence, aid digestion, improve the appetite, and treat diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. It contains phytonutrients including beta-carotene, which benefits eyesight. Adding to its long list of curative properties is improvement in blood circulation to the brain and sleep enhancement.
For a memorable holiday of amazing tasting food and festive smelling kitchens, add a pinch of several fragrant seasonings. Our food will taste scrumptious and our homes will smell cheerful. Spices not only fill the air with their mesmerizing aromas, but as a bonus, these seasonings provide an abundance of antioxidant properties, minerals and vitamins that enhance health. Just add a little dash of this, and a pinch of that.
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