Firey Fire Cider
In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the herbs and pungent foods that give Fiery Fire Cider its punch. Then, each student will prepare a pint to take home ❧
Fire cider is warming, potent, delicious and wonderfully versatile. But this class goes far beyond learning that an herb is “good for” a particular ailment.
You may have seen beautiful jars of fire cider on social media, packed with whole garlic cloves, thick slices of onion, ginger and colorful peppers. They may be lovely to look at, but those large pieces do not make the most effective medicine.
Learn why ingredient size matters and the BEST way to extract the beneficial constituents and preserve them well.
Understanding how and why plants work gives structure to a remedy. It helps us choose herbs that work well together, determine the best menstruum for extracting and preserving their constituents, and better understand how the remedy works in the body. It also gives us the language to discuss herbal medicine with people who may be skeptical.
In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the herbs and pungent foods that give Fiery Fire Cider its punch. Then, each student will prepare a pint to take home.
THE POWER INSIDE FIRE CIDER
Heat is one of the body’s natural responses to infection. Fiery Fire Cider brings plenty of warming, stimulating energy while supporting circulation, digestion and the body’s natural defenses.
Garlic contains sulfur compounds, including allicin, that provide antimicrobial activity.
Onions contain sulfur compounds and quercetin, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support.
Horseradish contains glucosinolates that produce pungent isothiocyanates when the root is chopped or grated. These compounds give horseradish its sinus-clearing bite.
Cayenne and jalapeno peppers contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for their intense heat. Both contain ferulic and cinnamic acids, which contribute antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Ginger contains gingerols, warming compounds that support digestion and circulation while helping to ease nausea.
Apple cider vinegar extracts and preserves many of these beneficial constituents while adding its own bright, tangy flavor.
Fiery Fire Cider can be taken when people around you are dropping with winter illnesses, when you first feel that little tickle beginning, or simply because it tastes so dang good!
Use it by the spoonful, add it to salad dressings and marinades, or turn it into a dipping or grilling sauce.
Once you discover how useful it is, don’t be surprised if you need to make another batch before winter is over!
Onion, garlic and horseradish will be provided.
Location
The Cedar Mountain Herb School Farmlet in Sandpoint, ID (address will be emailed after registration)
What to bring
- One pint jar with a plastic lid
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Kitchen towel
- One cayenne or jalapeño pepper
- Pint of organic apple cider vinegar
“Taking your class was one of the best decisions of my life. Seriously. Being a part of the lovely, wise world of plants has brought me back to who I am. I realized a few months ago, that the Emily I’m most happy with and the one who feels right is the Emily that gets up early every Tuesday and drives up to your homestead and is home. The space that you create and nurture and fill with the magic of herbal medicine is such a glorious place to be and learn and grow in. You, as a person and strong badass wildcrafter, are an inspiration. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Emily B
