Spices & Health Benefits
What goes into every bowl
Bak kut teh (Chinese: 肉骨茶) is a Chinese soup popularly served in Singapore, and its name literally translates as “meat bone tea”. At its simplest, it consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices — including star anise, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, fennel seeds and garlic — for hours. Bak kut teh is usually eaten with rice, and is typically a famous morning meal.
The Bak Kut Teh heritage dates back to the 19th century, when Chinese immigrants in Singapore and Malaya used pork ribs and herbs such as star anise, fennel seeds, cloves and coriander to boost their energy. The soup was also found to have positive benefits for people with conditions such as rheumatism, and it soon grew popular among Chinese migrant workers. The Hokkien and Teochew are traditionally tea-drinking cultures, and the significance of Bak Kut Teh runs deep in their cuisines.
01
Garlic
Garlic can help prevent heart disease. Eating garlic can control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer — in other words, it can prevent a wide range of diseases and boost your immune system. Many even eat raw garlic as a replacement for their high blood pressure drugs, as garlic is effective and more natural than conventional pharmaceutical medicines. Additionally, garlic supports digestion and detoxification, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
02
Star Anise
Star anise gets its name from its star shape. This fruit has a licorice-like flavor and is used as a spice in many cooked dishes, where it lends a soft, exotic scent and taste to a meal. Star anise also has a history as a healing herb, and possesses excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
03
Sarawak White Peppercorn
Sprinkle on this spice to calm a cold, detox your skin, and even help fight cancer — a little pepper may go a long way for your health. A chemical compound in peppercorns called piperine may help prevent a breast cancer tumor from developing. Piperine also acts as a thermogenic compound, enhancing the thermogenesis of lipid and accelerating energy metabolism in the body, as well as increasing serotonin and beta-endorphin production in the brain.
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