It’s December, which means it’s time for holidays, get togethers with family and friends, and the only time of year that I feel like baking!
I came up with a fun holiday mix of ingredients that you can add to a variety of baked goods. I’m not going to pretend like I’m a master baker, so you can use whatever recipe you want, and just add these ingredients for a tasty, Chinese medicine inspired dessert or snack.
In traditional Chinese medicine, foods and herbs have a specific taste – sour, bitter, sweet, spicy/pungent, and salty – and each taste is associated with a therapeutic effect. Each ingredient in this holiday mix is associated with one of these five flavors, making for a nice balance of flavor and texture.
Sour – associated with the Wood element – constrict and contract inward.
Bitter – associated with the Fire element – dry dampness and move Qi downward.
Sweet – associated with the Earth element – strengthen, tonify and harmonize.
Spicy / pungent – associated with the Metal element – disperse and circulate Qi and Blood.
Salty – associated with the Water element – soften masses and accumulations.
INGREDIENTS
Dried cranberries – sour
Cranberries are high in vitamin C and fiber. While dried cranberries have added sugar, you could also experiment with making your own, or substituting dried cherries.
Cocoa nibs – bitter
Nibs are pieces of roasted cacao bean before they’re mixed with sugar to turn into chocolate. They’re crunchy and have a bitter cocoa dark chocolate taste but without the sweetness. They are one of the best dietary sources of magnesium and are high in antioxidants.
Goji berries – sweet
Goji berries are high in beta-carotene, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. In Chinese medicine, they are used to nourish Yin and Blood and help improve vision, especially dry eyes and eye strain.
Cinnamon – pungent
In Chinese medicine herbal medicine, cinnamon is considered pungent, sweet and hot, to warm and strengthen the body. Even though the cinnamon sticks are in the photo, feel free to use ground cinnamon in your recipes.
Walnuts – salty
Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols, which can help support brain function, healthy gut function and decrease inflammation.
Add to your choice of baked treats – some ideas include cookies, muffins, pancakes, on top of oatmeal or yogurt, granola, or as a trail mix.
SUBSTITUTIONS / ALTERATIONS
-If you don’t like the taste of cocoa nibs, substitute for dark chocolate chips.
-Topping cookies with a pinch of flaky sea salt can really up the salty factor and also bring out the sweet elements of the other ingredients.
References
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Stoger, E., & Gamble, A. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd Edition. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, Inc.
Pitchford, Paul. (2002). Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, 3rd Edition. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Wang, Y., Sheir, W., & Ono, M. (2010). Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.