Fire Cider Unveiled: A Spicy Tonic for Wellness + Homemade Recipe

Fire cider is known for its three main qualities:

1. Immune-Boosting: Fire cider is a potent blend of herbs, roots, spices, and vinegar that's known for its immune-boosting properties. It often includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, onions, horseradish, and hot peppers, all of which can help support the immune system and promote overall health.

2. Digestive Aid: Many of the ingredients in fire cider have digestive benefits. Ginger and horseradish, for example, are known to support digestion and help alleviate digestive discomfort. The combination of these ingredients in fire cider can promote healthy digestion and ease digestive issues.

3. Vitality and Warmth: Fire cider gets its name from its spicy and warming nature. The inclusion of hot peppers and other warming herbs can help increase circulation, stimulate the metabolism, and provide a sense of vitality and warmth, especially during colder months.

Overall, fire cider is often used as a tonic to support the body's natural defenses, aid digestion, and provide a warming boost of energy. It's a versatile herbal remedy that's popular for its potential health benefits.

Here's a basic recipe for making spicy fire cider:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 1/4 cup chopped garlic

• 1/4 cup grated ginger

• 1/4 cup grated horseradish

• 1-2 hot peppers (such as jalapeno or cayenne), chopped

• 1 lemon, zest and juice

• 1 tablespoon raw honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Wash and chop the onion, garlic, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers. Zest the lemon and squeeze out its juice.

2. Combine: In a glass jar, combine the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, horseradish, hot peppers, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

3. Add vinegar: Pour the raw apple cider vinegar over the ingredients in the jar, ensuring they are fully covered.

4. Seal and store: Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the ingredients are fully submerged in the vinegar. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap between the lid and the mixture to prevent corrosion. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking it gently every day.

5. Strain and sweeten (optional): After the steeping period, strain out the solids using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. If desired, add raw honey to the liquid and mix until dissolved.

6. Transfer and enjoy: Transfer the strained liquid to a clean glass bottle or jar. Your spicy fire cider is now ready to use! It can be taken by the spoonful, added to water, or used in cooking and dressings.

Remember, fire cider can be quite potent due to its spicy and pungent ingredients. Adjust the quantities of ingredients according to your taste preferences and tolerance for heat.