Perilla (aka, shiso, beefsteak plant, Chinese basil and purple mint) originally came from China until migrating to Japan in the 8th century, Perilla quickly became one of the essential spices to the Asian palate. Before being used in cooking, it was originally used as fuel for oil lamps, but this ...

Lemongrass (also known as Cymbopogon) is a genus herb derived from a tall grass plant native to tropical Asia. Lemongrass is widely used in medicinal forms, as well as being harvested for its culinary purposes. It has a fruity, citrus taste and can be used in food, tea and also ...

Cordyceps (caterpillar fungus) is a medicinal mushroom that is a wild fungus and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 5,000 years. There are numerous species of cordyceps, however the most researched and popular is Ophiocordyceps sinensis. It is found at high altitudes of ...

Native to the Mediterranean region and one of the most commonly found herbs on the spice rack, Rosemary is probably one of the most popular herbs on the planet. It has a welcoming, homely aroma and provides a lovely, subtle taste to almost any dish. But, did you know that it can also be used to ...

Commonly believed to be a grain and prepared and eaten like one, quinoa or 'Chenopodium quinoa', is in fact a seed botanically speaking and is a relative of spinach and chard. The plant is indigenous to South America, originating in the mountainous area surrounding Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia ...

Matcha tea is certainly among the new wave chiefs when it comes to hot drinks with some folks drifting away from coffee to get their caffeine kick by drinking matcha shots. For some of you who don’t exactly know what matcha tea is, it is a special form of Japanese green tea which has been at ...

Edamame beans are young, immature soybeans (also known as 'Glycine max') that are harvested prior to the bean's natural hardening process. These beans have a green colour differing from the soybean's light brown. The bean is believed to have been domesticated from its wild relative, 'Glycine soja', ...

Ever wonder what super foods endurance athletes use to fuel their bodies? Whether your discipline is running, swimming, cycling or any other sport, low energy is simply not an option! You need to provide your body with enough energy to meet the demands of training and enable proper recovery between ...

A common ingredient in many energy drinks both natural and perhaps those less so, this herbal plant has been used to alleviate many ailments and provide energy and focus. There are 11 different varieties in the 'Panax genus' with American and Asian being the most popular. Though it should be noted ...

Summer is here (there may still be some showers but hey this is England)! What says summer more than sipping on some exotic-tasting refreshing cocktails? If you are conscious about your health but still love booze (guilty!), read on to discover cocktails with a health kick to make you feel a little ...