Bitter enemies. A bitter wind. Bitter tears. The term bitter is associated with animosity and coldness. But a revolution in our taste buds in under way. Foodies and nutrition enthusiasts are redefining what bitter means for them: delicious, exciting, extraordinary digestive helper, nutritious, wild, a party for your mouth!
Many traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine advocate an awareness of the different tastes in an effort to achieve a balance of tastes within each meal.
Out of the main five tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent - bitter tends to be the least available and utilized flavor, yet it is one of the keys to smooth digestion, liver and gallbladder health, and blood sugar balance.
The second something bitter hits your tongue, a cascade of metabolic events begins in your body to prime you for optimal digestion, including producing enzyme-rich saliva, hydrochloric acid and other gastric juices, helping the flow of bile for proper fat breakdown, and absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. This results in a more consistent blood glucose level, curbing sugar cravings, and encouraging healthy appetite levels, including a feeling of satiety after meals to prevent overeating.
Where can you get bitters?
Fresh greens like arugula, kale, chard, mustard greens, beet greens, or collards have flavorful bitterness. Citrus peel, olives, dark chocolate with 70-80 percent cacao, beer and coffee all contain bitter flavors as well.
Dandelion
The much-maligned weed that people spend billions on herbicides annually to kill and destroy (and pollute our waterways and endanger our children's health) is one of our absolute best sources of bitter food and medicine. The uses of dandelion are numerous and include treatment for such issues as acne, PMS, liver heat, and arthritis.
Not just for cocktails anymore
The traditional bitters extract used in countless cocktail recipes is made from the gentian plant with various artificial ingredients added and should not be used as an herbal supplement for your health. But find organic ones such as locally made Orange-Vanilla Dandelion Digestive Bitters and get creative.
New local product
Orange-Vanilla Dandelion Digestive Bitters ingredients are organic and wild crafted dandelion leaves and roots, local Oregon grape root, vanilla, fresh ginger and orange fruit and other herbs extracted in brandy and local honey. Taken with meals, either directly or added to water, it can increase your digestive function, helping you break down the fat in the meal while improving nutrient assimilation. Taking a bitters extract before eating a large or heavy meal can be the key to preventing the bloating and gas that often accompany such over indulgences.
