It's that time of year again for hot comforting drinks! Indeed, the mornings are getting cooler while the trees are turning golden and brown... There's no doubt about it: autumn is here and the cold is coming in its wake.  Discover now 3 healthy recipes for your cocooning evenings. 

Spices to warm hearts

When spices make for delicious, comforting drinks while boosting our immune systems... Spices warm the body. They activate blood circulation and increase digestion fire. Many have antiviral and antibacterial properties. So, not only do they add flavor to your dishes and drinks but they naturally take care of you and your health. 

What spices to adopt to protect yourself from the cold

Sometimes, spices are scary because it is said that badly dosed, they can make a dish fail. Indeed, it is better to use them with accuracy and sparingly. However, "it's by doing that you learn to do" as the saying goes, so trust yourself and go for it! And to accompany you in this experience, we have prepared for you a selection of quality spices to find in our bee-shop.

And so here is a non-exhaustive list of spices (or spice mixes) and aromats to incorporate into your cooking. Be careful, spicy does not mean spicy!

Cinnamon /  Ginger  / Cumin / Curry / Cardamom / Turmeric / Ras El Hanout / Saffron / Black Pepper/ Clove / Badian / Anise / Fennel seeds ….

3 hot drinks from elsewhere to bring sunshine to your indoor home

Here are some spice combination ideas inspired by traditional Moroccan, West African, Egyptian, and Indian recipes to prepare on thesecold, gray, and wet fall days.

1.   For the first, it is an inspiration straight from the Maghreb. This particularly spicy drink is drunk in Morocco to keep warm but also to prevent winter ailments. To prepare it, you need:

• green or black tea

• cinnamon

• fresh or powdered ginger

• star anise

• nutmeg

• orange peel

Brew the whole and if necessary add a little bit of honey to sweeten. It is tasted very hot. 

2.  For this second recipe, this healthy drink is inspired by Egyptian karkade or West African Bissap. 

Ingredients and preparation:

• The master ingredient in this beverage ishibiscus flower. Hibiscus flowers are rich in vitamin C and, when infused, give a beautiful deep red color to your drink.

• Cinnamon stick or powder (depending on your taste). Cinnamon is a spice that helps lower blood sugar and it is also a powerful antiseptic for the digestive tract. In addition, cinnamon is a warming spice. 

• 2 Black Pepper grains: black pepper, by its pungent flavor, is strongly warming and stimulating. It facilitates the flow and emptying of mucus through the nose and lungs. 

• 1 Clove: Clove is also a warming spice, stimulating but also and above all recognized as a powerful antiseptic and analgesic. 

• A touch of Ginger fresh, grated or powdered (according to your taste): this root is hepato-stimulant. It increases the digestive fire, thus helping digestion.

• juice of 1/2 lemon: to help the liver in its multiple metabolic functions. 

• If needed: Thyme honey preferably as it is antiseptic and analgesic to the throat. 

To finish, here is an exotic invitation to Indian flavors: the Golden Milk . This drink from Ayurveda is also a remedy for inflammatory disorders thanks to the presence of turmeric in large quantities. 

To prepare the Golden Milk :

• Roast turmeric powder and 1 peppercorn in a pan in a little coconut oil

• Add vegetable milk (of your choice) and dilute. 

If necessary to sweeten, add a touch of honey. 

Happy tasting!