Slemish Market Garden in Ballymena has a new treat in store for customers… it is now stocking Living Culture Irish Cider Vinegar from The Apple Farm in Cahir, Co Tipperary.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Slemish Market Garden
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for centuries in cooking, household cleaning and beauty and hygiene treatments and is enjoying a resurgence in popularity at the minute, with particular interest in its possible health benefits. Much of this is anecdotal but some scientific research has added credence to claims about potential health benefits in several health areas including weight loss, cholesterol, blood pressure, digestive health and acid reflux.
ACV contains acetic acid which helps us absorb nutrients from food better. It is also reputed to contain amino acids, antioxidants and potassium; work as a prebiotic (helps the growth of probiotics in your gut); and act as a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.
It is recommended that you buy a quality ACV to get these benefits. Slemish Market Garden highlight that The Apple Farm’s Irish Cider Vinegar is unfiltered and unpasteurised and so contains the “Mother”, which settles at the bottom of the bottle as sediment and when you shake the bottle the vinegar is cloudy. Don’t throw this away; it contains the most beneficial compounds!
A simple way to add ACV into your life is mixing it into your food e.g. in salad dressings or dishes such as cooked beetroot or coleslaw. It also adds some zing when sprinkled over roast butternut squash chips. Many people add a little to a glass of water every morning or before meals, sometimes with a dash of honey.
The recommended dose is between 1-2 teaspoons and 1-2 tablespoons daily, in water, which is likely to be enough to give health benefits with very little potential risk of negative side-effects. You should always check with your GP before use if you are on medication and/or if you intend to use it for medicinal purposes.
Potential health benefits aside, I can recommend this brand of ACV purely on the grounds of taste… it’s delicious. Slemish Market Garden currently has it on offer at £6 for 750ml.
This article was written by Marianne Simpson who is a big fan of Slemish Market Garden and often contributes to the Ballymena Today website.
