Many desire a flat stomach but it’s really easy to feel complacent with the appearance of a puffy abdomen too often hid underneath oversized jumpers this time of year. But a flat stomach isn’t only good for wearing high-waisted jeans or tighter shirts; it’s also an indicator of a healthy, ...

Cactus fruit, also known as the ‘prickly pear’, is a fruit belonging to the cactus family. These fruits are native to the Southwestern regions of North America and Mexico and have been a staple in their diet for thousands of years. You shouldn’t be fooled by their appearance though, as this fruit ...

I had the recent honour of trying out GIMBER - a new product on the market made partly to challenge that old-dinosaur culture of heavy alcohol-drinking by offering this alcohol-free, organic drink concentrate instead. It promises a unique taste experience and a spicy kick, but can it possibly ...

Grass jelly, is a dessert that looks like jelly, hence the name, and is very popular mainly in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It is made by using a plant from the mint family (Platostoma palustre, aka Chinese mesona) which has a slightly bitter taste, it is so ...

Chicory (also known as endive) comes from the dandelion family and can usually be recognised by its bright blue flowers. You can actually enjoy the entirety of the chicory plant! First off, the leaves are often eaten raw in salads but can be cooked to reduce their famously bitter flavour. Although ...

The natural flavour of peppermint (or ‘mentha piperita’ in its Latin form) is a combination of spearmint and watermint, and is one of Earth’s oldest herbs, with its dried leaves having been found as far afield as the Egyptian pyramids. You can make your own peppermint tea with fresh mint leaves and ...

Psyllium or 'Ispaghula' is, let’s say, your “bowel” friend. It's a fiber made from the husks of the plant group Plantago. Being a dietary fiber, Psyllium is mainly known as a laxative. The plant from which the seeds are obtained resist cool, dry weathers well and it's primarily cultivated in ...

What is Yacon or Smallanthus sonchifolius? It's a sweet tuberous root originally from Northern and Central Andes, primarily Colombia and Argentina. It is now also grown in Italy, Vietnam and New Zealand. Due to the presence of inulin, it has a sweet apple taste as well as texture. Being a tuber, it ...

Turkey tail mushrooms, named for their colourful, autumn-­‐like striped caps, are as healthful as they are aesthetically lovely. These little fungi have myriad health benefits, particularly surrounding the boosting of your immune system, so it’s little wonder they've been used in medicinal teas ...

Want a healthy gut? Increase your fibre! Fibre is something the body needs but never actually digests – in fact, it remains in pretty much the same state as on your plate! Dietary fibre has many health benefits, reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, helping with weight ...