Making Fire Cider

In one of our hands-on weekend classes, our students learn how to make fire cider. Fire cider is a yummy herbal folk remedy, a vinegar-infused tonic – lovely especially in the winter and cold seasons. The ingredients boost immune function, increase circulation, and promote warmth.

Here’s from Kim, our wonderful instructor who teaches this class:

“Fire Cider is one of my favorite traditional folk remedies. I love the combination of apple cider vinegar and warming herbs. Fire Cider’s ingredients include ginger, turmeric, horseradish, garlic, and onion; they are all a powerhouse of immune boosting, antimicrobial, and overall strengthening to our Wei Chi. Wei Chi is our forcefield or a barrier that is created to protect us from pathogens during the cold and flu season.

You can take this by the spoonful or add it to soups, salads, over greens/veggies. I like to add it to a hot cup of water with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. Yum! This is my go to remedy, my first line of defense against cold and flu during the colder months! “

Fire Cider Recipe

Main Ingredients:
Ginger
Turmeric
Horseradish
Onions
Garlic
Citrus
Spicy Peppers

Other possibilities:
Rose hips
Burdock
Thyme
Oregano
Hibiscus
Lemongrass
Rosemary

What you need:

A jar with a lid (we use an 8-oz jar, but you can use any size you’d like)

Directions:

1. Chop all ingredients (garlic can be left whole)
2. Pack a jar 3/4 full with the ingredients
3. Pour apple cider vinegar into the jar all the way to the top, covering the ingredients
4. Close the lid and shake well
5. Store in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks (shake periodically)
6. Strain out the pulp and bottle the vinegar
7. Add honey as desired

The leftover strained pulp can be put into a blender and added to vegetables, stir-fry, or other cooking.

You can change the ingredients based on what time of the year you make this, what is growing near you, and what ingredients resonate with you. Use your imagination.

Here’s more about Fire Cider from our instructor, Martin:

“Fire Cider is a delicious and warming folk remedy made from macerating antimicrobial foods, spicy foods, and healing herbs in apple cider vinegar for a number of weeks. The process of watching FC mature in the jar is a beautiful practice in medicine making. The ritual of a tablespoon in a small glass of water every morning invigorates the senses to start your day. FC is also a gentle yet effective tonic for the immune and digestive systems. A classic herbal household staple.”