Autumn and winter are the perfect time to make herbal vinegar, also known as thieves’ vinegar, four thieves’ vinegar or plague vinegar. This versatile vinegar not only helps preserve wild herbs, but can also help with early signs of colds. In this article you will learn step by step how to make herbal vinegar, which wild herbs and ingredients are suitable and how you can use it in the kitchen and in your medicine cabinet. You can also find the recipe in our book “Preserving Wild Herbs – The Best Methods and Recipes“(available here).
The history of herbal vinegar
A herbal vinegar or Oximel they are a great way to preserve herbs. You pickle them and the vinegar preserves them. Our ancestors already knew this. Vinegar and herbs have a long tradition. Since the late Middle Ages, the myth has persisted that four thieves’ vinegar or plague vinegar dates back to four French thieves who were unimpressed by the rampant plague.
While most people stayed home to protect themselves from infection, thieves were out looting. When they were caught, they wanted to know why they hadn’t been infected. Apparently they were even offered a reduced sentence if they revealed the secret that had protected them from the infection. They revealed that they had consumed a herbal vinegar. The legend then spread throughout Europe and the recipe was expanded several times. The basic ingredients are and were vinegar and various aromatic herbs rich in essential oils and bitter substances. According to legend, this mixture helped thieves strengthen their immune system. Even today, many people enjoy herbal vinegar in their medicine cabinet.
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Grow vegetables on the balcony with LECHUZA VEGGIEPONCollect and identify wild herbs in nature
If you want to use wild herbs that you have picked yourself for a recipe, you should know a little about them. You should only collect what you can positively identify. To pass on our knowledge of wild herbs to you, we have written a book on herbs, ideal for getting started. s
Our herbal vinegar recipe
For our version of thief’s vinegar we mainly use wild herbs, of your choice Garlic and naturally cloudy Apple cider vinegar. Herbs can be used fresh or dried. If you use dried herbs you can halve the amount of herbs. The vinegar doesn’t need to be as strong (5% acid is sufficient) as dried herbs are less likely to go bad. A stronger vinegar should be used with fresh herbs.
The aromatic herbs are washed thoroughly, dried and coarsely chopped. Then peel the garlic cloves and chop them very finely. Then pour the apple cider vinegar into a large screw-top jar with a lid or a wide-necked bottle and add the herbs and garlic. If you don’t like garlic, you can leave it out. The batch is then left to macerate at room temperature for about two weeks. You can then strain the plant parts and take the vinegar or use it to gargle.
Historical recipe – variant for plague vinegar or four thieves’ vinegar
The original recipe for Four Thieves’ Vinegar has been passed down orally. Here too there are several variations. In these variations of historical recipes, in addition to aromatic herbs, you will also find spices. One such variant, which we found good, contains the following ingredients: (The information refers to dried herbs).
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Because growing yourself is now safer | How is salmonella transmitted to arugula?Gift ideas for nature lovers
Not only is herbal vinegar a great gift idea. Our herbal books or ours Seasonal calendar of wild herbs (available here) are an excellent gift idea. Christmas is not far away. If you want to give Christmas cards designed by us with beautiful winter motifs this Christmas, you can also find our cards in the Kräuterhexen online
Herbal vinegar in the medicine cabinet
A good herbal vinegar cannot be missing from every medicine cabinet. Thief’s vinegar can support the immune system and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can be used both preventively and acutely. When the cold season approaches, you can take a spoonful straight or with a glass of water before breakfast for three weeks. If there is an acute risk of infection or during an infection, you can take one spoonful three times a day. Brigand’s vinegar can also be used as a mouthwash or to gargle if you have a sore throat or gum problems.
Herbal vinegar in cooking
Of course, you can also consume vinegar and use it to season dishes. It goes well with green salads, Wild herb saladlentils or bean dishes. Additionally, this herbal vinegar makes a great gift for friends and family. Every herb lover would be happy with such a great surprise.
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