Ishpingo - the cinnamon alternative with healing effect
Introduction
Cinnamon is a terrific food, it has many positive health properties, is ideal as a spice for pastries, curries and teas, but it is not only incredibly expensive, the cultivation also has serious consequences for nature. The Amazon rainforest harbors an alternative to cinnamon - Ishpingo, the cinnamon leaf with the botanical name Ocotea Quixos.
Table of contents
- What is Ishpingo alternative to cinnamon from the Amazon
- Discovery of the cinnamon leaf
- Properties and effects of Ishpingo
-
Cultivation, harvest, processing - sustainability
-
Recipes with Ishpingo - the alternative to cinnamon
- Conclusion
1. What is Ishpingo alternative to cinnamon from the Amazon
Ishpingo, a tree native to the Amazona rainforest, whose leaves and seeds smell and taste almost original for cinnamon, is the perfect alternative to the well -known cinnamon (Ceylon and Cassia).
The leaves can be used for tea blends, whereby the powdered seeds are ideal for food such as curry and pastries.
2. Discovery of the cinnamon leaf
Nowadays Ecuador is also known as a cinnamon country, but that was not always the case. In 1542 the first expedition started to the Ecuador jungle with the two clear goals to find the golden El-Dorado and cinnamon.
At that time, Zimt was one of the most valuable spices and was very popular internationally. The Spanish Inquisitors were neither cinnamon nor the legendary EL-Dorado, but they found Ishpingo, an original after cinnamon tasting sheet with seeds, which also tasted of cinnamon.
Since Ishpingo grows exclusively in the rainforest of Amazonia, it was impossible to process the leaves at that time.
Like many other crops from the Amazon, e.g. Guayusa, Macambo, Sacha Inchi And Chonta therefore remained a secret of Ecuador's indigenous people for another 500 years.
3. Properties and effects of Ishpingo
Both cinnamon (Cassia and Ceylon) belong to the Lauraceae family. The cinnamon alternative from Ecuador - also called American cinnamon - also contains Cinnamon acid and Cinnamon. In one Study from Elsevier B.V A particularly strong anti -inflammatory effect was demonstrated on the ingredients and effects of Ishpingo. This could be attributed to the particularly high amount of 27.9 % of cinnamon aldehyde.
3.1. Ishpingo cinnamon as a remedy
Traditionally, the cinnamon leaf from Ecuador is prepared as a tea and used to clean the skin. Investigations by the University of Ikiam in Ecuador have found the scientific answer for this.
The ÖLO in Ishpingo counteract bacteria and fungi, and therefore help with gastric skin and dental problems caused by bacteria or fungi.
Even in the case of blood clots in the vessels, thrombosis, Ishpingo could have a particularly potent and safe Antithrombotic activity be detected.
4. Extension, harvest, processing - sustainability
The fact that Ishpingo was not well received as an alternative to cinnamon in the 16th century, mainly on two things at that time.
First, the journey in the Amazons was associated with severe hardships. From the west coast of South America you had to over the 3,000 meter high Andes and back down to get to the Amazon. This trip alone would have made the ISPINGO leaves an even more expensive goods than the already known cinnamon. But even technically it was not possible to harvest the leaves and seeds, to dry and then without being wet and start to mold again, to bring over the Andes to the sea.
Nowadays we have the opportunity to process this fascinating sheet directly on site and to carry it into the world.
As with all GUYA-Products It is also uncompromising with Ishpingo that we only work with indigenous farmers and cooperatives that are in traditional agriculture in Forest gardens, also called chakras, consequences. This method protects untouched rainforest by giving indigenous peoples the opportunity to draw from a biodiversity of crops. A chakra forest garden combines hundreds of crops and creates a ecosystem imitating the rainforest.
4.1. Comparison with conventional cinnamon
Ishpingo is a traditional food in Ecuador and can be found in every chakra. Conventional cinnamon, on the other hand, usually grows in Monocultures on areas previously forested by biodiverses.
The cultivation of the cinnamon leaf Ishpingo goes far beyond the provisions of the conventional bios seal and also exceeds the methods by Demeter, Bioland or Naturland.
A comparison of organic and chakra can be found in our article "What does organic cultivation mean".
5. Recipes with Ishpingo - the alternative to cinnamon
Ishpingo was also used in the Empire of the Inca and is still in numerous dishes in South America these days.
5.1. Colada Morada - Mais Porridge
The traditional corn porridge drink is prepared annually to commemorate the ancestors on the anniversary "Day of the Dead".
It consists of purple corn, Panela, Fruits and Ishpingo.
5.2. Chucula porridge
The delicious traditional dessert from Ecuador is prepared with mature Platano bananas, milk, ishpingo and vanilla. Chucula is reminiscent of a smoothie, firm pudding.
5.3. Ishpingo cinnamon tea
In addition to our CHAI Mixture also makes Ishpingo excellent as a single tea infusion. The leaves can simply be poured over with boiling water. After a short time time, a warming tea is created, but it is also very refreshing as a cold drink.
6. Conclusion
Ishpingo is a food that has been hidden far too long with fascinating properties. It is suitable as a real alternative to cinnamon both in dishes and drinks and has some positive characteristics proven in studies on health.
The cinnamon leaf from the Amazon is therefore a terrific companion in every kitchen without overloading the wallet.
