Fire cider, or fire tonic, is an incredible health tonic that uses apple cider vinegar as it's base. A shot of this a day is wonderful for relieving colds and flu, boosts the immune system, has antibacterial properties, can fight against candida, and is full of anti-oxidants. Read the list of ingredients below and you'll see why - it's not the purpose of this post to run through the benefits of these ingredients individually as there is a lot of information out there about them anyway.
There's also some interesting controversy around it. It's an old recipe that that is part food, part medicine, with the idea that people should be reminded that medicine is free and often in our kitchens and our gardens. There are a few apple cider recipes in history that were tonics for health, blending herbs, spices and honey. Historically, it had been known as fire cider or fire tonic (you'll realise why when you take a shot with an ACV loaded with cayenne or chilli!) and was very much a 'grandmother's kitchen' type recipe. The argument began when a company trademarked the name 'fire cider', which caused an uproar because how could you trademark a name that had been in common use for many years? Of course, they were trying to start a business, and those in opposition thought it was unfair because essentially, they could no longer call their product Fire Cider either, as it was a trademarked name. Crazy, huh? It's an interesting read and ended up in a lawsuit. They claimed it was one of their grandmother's recipes and others argued it originated elsewhere. Regardless, it's an interesting consideration - can we market and commodify home grown recipes and trademark the name so no one else can use it? Apparently they had sent 'cease and desist' letters to small businesses to stop using the name. There's plenty online about it if you're interested in reading more.
The proof that it had been made before this - or at least, not only by the companie's grandmother, seems to be in the well-known video by Rosemary Gladstar, who was putting this recipe together for her students at the California School of Herbal Studies. I'm not sure the name matters much but more about who has the right to use it - I definately agree it surely can't be the sole right of that trader to use the name.
I know in Australia it's called 'fire tonic' or 'gypsy juice' by other companies and god forbid, I even found it at Coles the other day for a mere $7 (other brands might charge up to 25 dollars for 200 ml, which is fair enough given the work that goes into the preparation of this stuff and the quality of the ingredients). I particulary like I like Hilbilby, which is made on the SurfCoast in Torquay near me. They are marketing it as a 'traditional gypsy recipe' which is interesting!
Fire tonic or cider or gypsy juice or whatever you want to call it is really easy and rewarding to make yourself! It's also a great way to make use of the medicinal herbs you might already have in your garden. Last year I was able to make the bulk of it with everything from my garden, except for ginger which doesn't grow down here. If you are really ambitious you can make it with your own home made apple cider vinegar or with kombucha vinegar, which I have a lot of because I keep forgetting to second ferment it (if you want to know more about making kombucha I can post about that too if you like!)
Homegrown Fire Juice
1/2 cup chopped ginger
1/2 cup fresh garlic cloves
1/2 cup sliced or chopped onion
1/4 cup fresh chopped turmeric or good ground organic turmeric
4 - 5 chillis (depending on heat - less if they are too fiery - but I love it HOT!)
1 orange, sliced
2 lemons, sliced
1 cup chopped parsley
2 - 4 big springs of rosemary
A bunch of fresh thyme
2 tsps of peppercorns (this helps absorb turmeric in the body)
Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity)
1/4 cup raw honey
Some other ingredients you could put in, according to what you have: fennel tops, coriander seeds, fresh horseradish, cayenne pepper,
Place all of the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices in a clean jar (a big gherkin or olive jar suits well - it should fit about a litre of vinegar). Place all the ingredients in the jar, and then top up with vinegar so the herbs and spices are covered. Place a weight in there to make sure they don't float to the top, and cap it (if you've used a metal lid, place some glad wrap over the jar or maybe baking paper)
Sit the jar for 3 - 6 weeks. I definitely have a few on the go - if you make it every fortnight til you have a few jars you'll have enough to last you a while! Shake it when you remember, but don't fuss too much. When you taste it and you can taste the KICK, it's done. Strain it into a clean jar or bottle using a piece of muslin, cheesecloth or a fresh rag, add honey to taste, and voila - fire tonic cider gypsy hot stuff juice!!
Please let me know if you make this stuff. If you are in the southern hemisphere and are approaching winter, you need to get on it straight away!
Let me know what you decide to call this wonder juice - maybe we should run a competition for the best name for this it! Regardless, who cares what we call it - as long as it's good for us.
Please feel free to upvote or resteem, but above all comment - it's the community that matters the most!
