January’s workshop concentrated on surviving the cold using herbs and spices. Different varieties of cinnamon bark, green and black cardomon seeds, nutmeg, root ginger and turmeric were considered and different ways of using them were tried out.

Ginger was one of our main allies during the workshop. We made ginger syrup and ginger tea which also turned into a foot and hand soak with amazing results.

Before the workshop, no-one would have thought of combining pineapple and turmeric powder, but both have anti-inflammatory properties and the turmeric reduced the level of acidity in the pineapple.

We cooked a cinnamon, orange peel, lime flower and flax seed tea which tasted both soothing and nourishing at the same time. We also made a hot rice pudding with cardamom and nutmeg.