Improve your mood with "chai" ~ Nutritionist's Column Vol.57
Chai tastes even better in the cold winter.
It has a unique flavour accented with spices, which makes it even more delicious in the cold season.
Recently, there are more and more restaurants that have this kind of menu item in cafes, so I find myself selecting them all.
This time, we will talk about chai.
About Chai
"Chai" comes from the Chinese word "tea," and in India it refers to boiled, sweet, spiced milk tea; its official name is "masala chai."
The world recognises this "masala chai" as "chai".
Chai, which contains a lot of spices, has been loved by many people as an essential drink in their daily lives.
We will introduce some of the typical spices found in chai.
Common spices used in chai
Cinnamon
It is the bark of an evergreen tree of the Lauraceae family and has been used as a spice and herbal medicine since ancient times.
The scent of cinnamon comes from cinnamaldehyde, which is said to promote digestion.
It has a refreshing, sweet and spicy, crisp aroma, so it is used in a variety of dishes and distilled spirits such as gin, and is also known as the king of spices.
It is rich in minerals and vitamins, and is expected to have antibacterial effects, promote digestion and keep the stomach and intestines healthy, improve blood flow, and prevent swelling.
Cardamom <br data-mce-fragment="1">A seed-shaped spice from a plant of the ginger family.
It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine and spice.
In its native India, it is called the "Queen of Spices" and is an essential spice for curry dishes.
To use in chai, lightly crush and boil with tea leaves.
It has the effect of reducing stomach upset and preventing bad breath.
The scent is said to have a relaxing effect, calming the mood, relieving tension, and recovering from fatigue.
Cloves <br data-mce-fragment="1">Cloves are a spice made from the dried flower buds of the clove plant, which belongs to the Myrtaceae family.
It is used as a raw material for spices, perfumes, etc.
It is a type of herb that has a strong, sweet aroma and a tingling, stimulating taste that numbs the tongue.
It also has a preservative effect, so it is used as a spice for meat dishes.
It has the effect of promoting digestion and is expected to promote stomach health.
It also helps prevent bad breath.
It is said to have pain relieving and antibacterial effects, making it a popular spice that also has medical uses.
●A spice made by removing the red skin (mace) from the seed of the nutmeg fruit, splitting the seed and grinding the kernel into powder.
It has a unique sweet aroma and a mellow bitter taste.
It has the effect of eliminating the odor of meat, making it indispensable for minced meat dishes such as hamburgers and meatloaf.
It has the effect of normalizing stomach function, promoting digestion, improving intestinal environment, and promoting sweating.
The scent has a relaxing effect.
●Ginger is the well-known spice of ginger.
A classic spice that warms the body from the inside.
It has a unique flavor and spiciness, and is said to have various medicinal properties, so it is widely used in cooking, Chinese medicine, sweets, and more.
The spicy components include zingerone, shogaol, and gingerol, and it also contains small amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C.
Gingerol is a compound found in large amounts in raw ginger.
It expands the blood vessels in the extremities, promoting blood flow and warming the body, while also acting as a fever reducer, cooling the deeper parts of the body.
Shogaol is a compound that increases when ginger is heated.
It increases the burning effect, creates heat and promotes blood flow, warming the body from the core.
For those who have low body temperature and are prone to feeling cold, heated ginger is best.
In addition, it is a spice that can be expected to have antibacterial effects, soothe sore throats, and have antioxidant effects.
Chai is not only a drink that allows you to enjoy the aroma and flavor of various distinctive spices, but it is also a drink that is gentle on the body and mind, regulating the stomach and intestines, warming the body, and helping you relax.
You can make it at home, so I recommend incorporating it into your daily life.
GRØN also releases original chai
Meanwhile, GRØN has collaborated with mindfulness chai , a company that creates original spice blends, to create a special gift item .
Mindfulness Chai makes chai with the desire to allow people to enjoy a relaxing ``time'' and ``space'' like the sun setting during their busy days or in their spare time, and is also actively involved in herb production.
For this collaboration, in addition to the cinnamon and cardamom mentioned above, we have also added holy basil, cocoa nibs, and black pepper.
This blend, perfect for Valentine's Day, is packed with carefully selected, unique ingredients.
Herbs added to this original chai
Holy basil <br data-mce-fragment="1">A representative medical herb, it is a type of basil that has been widely used as a folk remedy since ancient times.
It is one of the top adaptogens, a group of natural herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
It also increases resistance to mental and physical fatigue and stress, so it is expected to have a high relaxing effect.
It can also help improve sleep, have antioxidant effects, and prevent lifestyle-related diseases and colds.
Cacao Nibs <br data-mce-fragment="1">Cacao nibs, the raw material for chocolate, are rich in nutrients and have excellent health and beauty benefits, and are attracting attention as a superfood.
Cocoa nibs are a food product made from cocoa beans.
It is rich in dietary fiber, which helps regulate the intestinal environment and is also expected to have antioxidant effects.
It is said to improve concentration and memory, as well as have a relaxing effect.
Black pepper is known as the "king of spices" and is used widely around the world.
The spicy ingredient piperine also promotes nutrient absorption and dilates blood vessels to improve blood flow.
It will improve blood circulation to the extremities of the body, which can also help relieve coldness and stiff shoulders.
The scent also has a relaxing effect.
An appealing blend that exudes a new era.
We're really looking forward to this collaboration product between plant-based protein brand GRØN and mindfulness chai, a chai brand that styles time and space.
Why not consider giving it as a gift to yourself, your family, friends, loved ones, or other people close to you?
Gift items are available here .
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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara
A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.
With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.
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