What is Fire cider ?

The traditional folk medicine fire cider has become popular in the last few years and up until a year or so ago you couldn’t even call it that! Yes I said that correctly: a company a few years back had copyrighted the general term “fire cider.” All of the herbalists, home healers, and the like were getting sued for using the general term. Thanks to a few amazing herbalists, like Nicole Telkes, Mary Blue, Rosemary Gladstar, and Kathi Langelier who went and fought in the Supreme Court the name is back in action. But enough about that- I’ll instead talk about some of the amazing benefits of fire cider. Each person has their own unique recipe but the main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. The ACV is then infused through the moon cycles with garlic, peppers, herbs, roots, and is completed with honey like an amazing oxymel. Once it is finished you can take it as a shot which is the most common method. Like anything with apple cider vinegar I like to dilute before consuming, 

I know in the past I have tried to get friends to consume it to boost their immune systems, combat allergies, or give them a blast of energy. I’ve gotten two completely different reactions- one is “I can’t get enough of it” and the other is they can’t get past the “fiery taste.” So, I’ve made it my mission to integrate it into foods I consume daily to help bring it into my food and share with others.  The biggest trick with consuming herbs and how to get others on board is making it taste good. There is no reason for anyone to feel left out of the fire cider club with these tips below.

Foods and drinks I love to add it too:

-Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, and Kale- I mean, the southern classic of collard greens is already gonna be covered in vinegar- might as well give it the extra flavor with a dash of fire cider. You can add it once it is already prepared or add it to the pot when it’s almost done. If you do add while cooking, make sure it’s on a low temperature- you don’t want to get overwhelmed by the fumes while stirring.

-Bloody Mary- virgin or full Sunday brunch style, loaded with a dash of fire cider in a spicy Bloody Mary is the way to go!

-Tea- I sometimes make my own makeshift flu blend on a whim. I add hot water (not yet boiling), a little honey, a shot of fire cider, and lemon. I find adding it to the almost boiling water makes it a nice warm drink and the extra honey makes it more palatable for people who are not in love with vinegar.

-Bone bone and herbal broth- Bone broth is highly nutritious and great as a base for soup, meals, or just to sip on. When making bone broth you have to add apple cider vinegar might as well replace it with fire cider. Also herbal broths, full of minerals and can be added to bone broth. This is also a broth recipe that many herbalists and home healers add ACV to go ahead and replace it with fire cider. (There will for sure be a whole blog on this subject this fall/winter).

- Salad Dressing- adding any infused vinegar to a salad dressing is a great way to sneak in a few more herbs into your already amazing salad. Below I have written my favorite dressing:

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette:

Serving size: 4-6 salads

• 3 tbsp Fire Cider

  my personal fire cider is listed here: https://www.irisfolkmedicinals.com/shop/p/style-02-2a4wl

• 2-3 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

• 2 tbsp Maple syrup or honey

• 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard

• 5 tbsp olive oil

Combine first four ingredients in a mason jar or salad dressing shaker. Shake ingredients. Add olive oil and BAM! you got an amazing salad dressing.

I love adding this dressing to one of go to salads which is arugula , red apple slices, candied pecans and feta.

If you do make this recipe I would love to see your creation! Make sure to tag me on instagram @irisfolkmedicinals