Organic Balsamic Vinegar – 500ml - Biona

Many of us took this year’s Working From Home stint to reflect on what we really want and need in our homes. Many started DIY projects. Others moved to a house with a garden. And everyone was suddenly really conscious about what they had in their pantries, cupboards and freezers. The mass-hoarding that happened at the start of the first lockdown was difficult to navigate, but thankfully there are a lot of ways to store emergency food supplies that would have prevented any worry. Here we’ll give you a list of nutritious foods that are easy to store for a long time. Grains and Flours Storing Grains is easy. Grains like bulgur, brown rice, spelt and barley keep well for months in an airtight container and are a great base for most meals. They are also great additives to vegan or gluten-free diets as many grains do not contain gluten but do contain a whole host of other nutrients to enrich a diet with. Flours, made from grains or things like almonds or soy, also keep really well in a pantry. In a clean, airtight container, they will last for several months. Flour is great to have in stock at all times; those times you crave some late-night pancakes? With flour in your house, you can whip some up in minutes! (Dried) Fruit We all need plenty of fruit in our diets. It contains many healthy vitamins and minerals and fibres. One of the notorious disadvantages of fruit is how quickly fruit goes off, and it is generally not seen as a food great for storage. How wrong we all were. There are so many varieties of dried fruit nowadays, that you never again need to worry about not having fruit in your pantry. Why not stock up on some delicious dried banana chips or goji berries? They are great toppings for oatmeal, yoghurt, and desserts, contain tons of vitamins, and last for ages in your storage cupboard! Another option is to can your fruits. It is a relatively easy process that requires a pot for boiling water, a jar (repurposed sauce jars are great), and an acidic component such as vinegar. Once the fruit is canned, it lasts months. Herbs and Spices Having a good spice rack is like having a good boiler; they are sure to improve your life for years to come. A broad selection of spices in your kitchen allows for experimental cooking, discovering new recipes, or just upgrading your current meals. As spices are dried plants, they will last for ages when stored right. Any airtight container will do just fine. And the added bonus is that herbs and spices can make even the plainest food extraordinary. Oils and Vinegar Oils such as olive oil and coconut oil are great to use for cooking and other health and beauty uses, and last for a year or longer when stored right. Generally, oil should be stored in a closed container, and kept in a cool, dry place. This is why they make a great pantry food to stock up on when you can. Vinegar or apple cider vinegar is also great for storing for long periods of time. They also should be kept in a dark, dry place. The great thing about vinegars is that they can be used to prolong the life of other foods such as fruits (see the Fruit section) or vegetables, are great for cleaning and can be used for dressings and sauces. Beans Dried beans or canned beans are both great to add to your pantry. Canned or dried they have a long shelf life at room temperature, they are a great source of protein, contain a lot of other essential nutrients, and are very filling when put in a meal. When you have dried beans, just make sure to store them in a cool, dry place, as getting them wet will shorten their shelf-life. As an added benefit, dried beans are also incredibly cheap, and super versatile. Seeds Seeds are a pantry staple. Seeds can be kept for months in a dry and dark place, preferably in an airtight container. They are great little boosts of nutrients and make great toppings for desserts, smoothie bowls, or oatmeal. Pumpkin seeds are also a great nibble on their own. If you are thinking of using all of that lovely flour you now keep in storage for some home-made bread-baking, why not use sesame seeds or poppy seeds to give your bread some extra texture and flavour? Why Should You Start Storing Foods? It is oftentimes not only time-consuming to go to the grocery store, but it can also get quite expensive. Oftentimes, buying in bulk works out much cheaper than buying little amounts every time. If you have a healthy pantry with a nice variety of products, you will always have a base for a meal on hand. You could also start your meal-prepping journey at the same time as building a food-storage. Meal prepping often works out much cheaper per meal than cooking every evening and is much less time-consuming, leaving you with more time to enjoy the little things in life. If you feel inspired by our blogs, why not sign up to our newsletter here? We will soon announce our brand-new recipe blog with loads of healthy, wholesome recipes to help you use some of the products in these blogs.

As we saw during the onset of the pandemic, having a stocked pantry is not just something of a convenience, it can become quite essential at the drop of a hat. But of course, there are other advantages to food storage. The most enticing? The best pantry items last, on average, four months to a year without spoiling — meaning 1) you always have the building blocks of a health-conscious home-cooked meal and 2) you can say goodbye to impulsively ordering take-out because there’s nothing on-hand. If that sounds like something you’re into, here are the must-have items for a healthy, useful pantry that lasts. Pantry Essentials Nuts & Seeds Satisfying, wholesome and super for snacking, you don’t have to be a health nut (sorry — couldn’t resist) to enjoy this pantry staple. Eating more nuts has been linked to lower risk of obesity, according to a long-term study conducted by the online journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. Nuts and seeds (think: chia, flax and sunflower) are good sources of fibre and essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. For sweet and savoury mixes, top a green salad with walnuts and raisins (or cranberries, if raisins make you sour) or add sliced almonds and hazelnuts to a chilled cup of yoghurt or chia seed pudding. Naturally gluten- and grain-free, they’re convenient snacks for those with common food allergies (sans nut allergies, of course). Keep unopened packages for six months past their best-by dates. Dried Fruits Unlike their more finicky counterparts, the vegetable, fruits can be processed in a way that savours their flavour for months at a time. Although fruits are typically high in a wonderful assortment of vitamins and nutrients, water is removed during the drying process — meaning the natural sugars in the fruit are concentrated. So keep your eyes peeled when munching on these delicious snacks, it’s easy to overconsume them! Add them sparingly to morning oats, midday salads or nighttime parfaits. Store them in a dry place for up to one year. Ready to stock up on nuts, seeds and fruit? Head here to browse our plentiful blends. Grains Grains truly make the basis of most meals. You have your grains of rice — Arborio rice for a Risotto, Basmati rice for coconut curry — and your “wild card” grains such as Couscous for a hearty Morrocan meal. Next, you have your grain legumes: beans, lentils, peas, and peanuts. These are true vegan stars, creating the bulk of many amazing recipes from soup to vegan burger patties. And the best part? When choosing whole grains such as these, they are hefty plant-based protein sources. For example, black beans contain more than seven grams of protein per half a cup! So rest assured you’ll have protein stock that lasts for months without spoiling. Simply keep your grains in airtight containers. Check out our full guide to storing grains here. Flours No kitchen is complete without proper baking supplies. And while you may not be ready to recreate grandmother’s classic recipes, you’ll do well with a few types of flour on-hand. The trick is knowing which ones. While all-purpose white flour is good for, well, all purposes, wheat flour can replace it for a healthier option in many recipes such as pizza dough, homemade roux, zucchini bread, muffins and much more. For sweet treats such as cookies, cakes and pancakes, head for the naturally sweet, almost Marzipan-Esque, almond flour. Gluten-free and low-carb, it’s a must-have pantry addition for those moments you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. For bread making, turn to buckwheat, chickpea or organic white cassava flour. Many people prefer the latter for grain-free baking. Also try vegan-friendly, low-fat and delicious polenta. Made from dried maize, it’s a good source of fibre, protein and iron and is the perfect side for any protein or savoury veggie dish (such as mushrooms). When stored in a cool, dry place, flour will keep for at least one year. Sound good? Browse our selection of flours here. Cereals Oats are an awesome way to get energy-loving carbohydrates in the morning to keep you going all day long. Opt for the larger oats for slower absorption in the bloodstream, meaning no sugar crash later on. Turn to the finer-milled variety for porridge and smoothie additions. For those days you don’t feel like cooking, pre-packaged cereal and Muesli are great options. As they are typically mixes of oats, wheat-based items, dried fruit and seeds, everything inside is non-perishable. An even better idea? Combining dried and puffed cereals with honey toasted oats, rye flakes, nuts and your favourite sweet additions to create homemade muesli or granola bars! These items are good up to one year in a pantry, presuming they’re stored in an air-tight container; otherwise, you’re looking at stale cereal which, to be frank, is a poor way to start the morning. Dive into the Wholefood Earth cereal & flake options here! Minerals & Salts Every recipe calls for a pinch of salt. In addition to everyday table salt, you’ll want to stock up on cousin, Himalayan pink salt, which boasts less sodium and more minerals. For true salt lovers? Try coarse sea salt for sweet treats that pack a punch. Now, salt isn’t just for making recipes come alive. It’s also for setting your self-care routine off just right. Turn to ultra-relaxing Epsom salt to ease sore muscles and Israeli Dead Sea salt to nourish and help heal itchy, dry skin in the bath. Ready to stock up? Check out the salt & mineral collection here. Tinned Foods Maybe there’ve been one too many post-apocalyptic movies, but no pantry looks complete without tins abound. From hearty soups to baked beans to canned veggies and fish, they certainly are convenient and last, well, indefinitely! The problem with tinned items? “Foods are sealed and preserved by pressure cooking them at a very high temperature,” according to BBC News online. “Like regular cooking, this destroys some of the nutrients,” they add. Not to mention — salt, sugar and fat are sometimes added to make them taste better. When possible, opt for fresh veg and meats you can store in the fridge. Extra Pantry Essentials Extra Essentials Coconut Milk: Unlike dairy milk, coconut milk often comes in a non-perishable tin can. Use it for curry, full-fat soups and even Paleo-friendly frostings on delicious homemade sweets. Vinegar: The tart liquid, such as distilled white or apple cider, lasts indefinitely. Use them for dressings, marinades, and cooking meats. Pickled Items: For an added bite, try kimchi, pickled beets, or sauerkraut. They keep indefinitely until opened, at which point you’ll want to store in the fridge. Peanut Butter: A universal favourite in the spread and a commonly seen item amongst healthy pantry staples. Sauce: Don't forget your condiments. Soy sauce is a go-to for extra flavour in healthy dishes. Oils: Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and, for the millennials out there, avocado oil, are a great addition to a pantry. Apple Cider Vinegar: While it may not come up high on many ingredients lists, Apple Cider Vinegar has an extraordinary range of uses from baking fluffy cakes to relieving headaches. Now that you have a stocked pantry, you can create an assortment of affordable, healthy meals any day of the week — not to mention you’re prepared for the next time the supermarkets decide to clear out of real food for healthy eating! And may we add: bon appetit knowing you’re eating sustainably sourced, whole foods and none of the pre-packaged, frozen dinners. With a packed pantry like this, you’ll see how nutritious cooking can be convenient too. Did you hear the news? 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In the world of natural wellness, few things have stood the test of time quite like Apple Cider Vinegar. From ancient traditional medicine to the modern-day kitchen cupboards of health enthusiasts, apple cider vinegar is celebrated as a versatile "superfood." But if you’ve ever looked at a bottle and wondered why it looks cloudy or what exactly "The Mother" is, you’re in the right place. Not all vinegars are created equal—and the secret lies in the craft. What is ‘The Mother’? If you buy mass-produced vinegar from a supermarket, it’s often crystal clear. This is because it has been pasteurised and filtered, stripping away the very thing that makes it beneficial. ‘The Mother’ is the dark, cloudy substance you see floating in raw, unfiltered vinegar. It is a complex structure of beneficial bacteria, proteins, and enzymes. When you see "The Mother," you know the vinegar is "alive" and packed with the natural goodness your body craves. The Health Benefits of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Supports Digestive Wellness Apple Cider Vinegar has long been used as a natural digestive aid. The enzymes in "The Mother" help support a healthy gut microbiome. Many people in the UK start their morning with a diluted tablespoon of vinegar to "wake up" their digestive system and support a comfortable gut throughout the day. Blood Sugar Management Scientific studies suggest that acetic acid (the main component of Vinegar) may help you with blood sugar management. It may improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar responses after meals. This makes it a popular addition to balanced, whole-food diets. Natural Weight Management While it’s no "magic pill," Apple Cider Vinegar is often used to increase feelings of fullness. By adding a splash to your salad dressings or tonic, you may find yourself feeling more satisfied after a meal, aiding in natural weight management. Discover Artisanal Apple Cider Vinegar Made Using the Orléans Method At Whole Food Earth, we believe that the best health products aren’t made in factories; they are grown in gardens. We are incredibly proud to stock a truly amazing artisanal Apple Cider Vinegar that is worlds away from your standard shop-bought variety. Sourced from a dedicated family of artisans in Slovenia, this vinegar is a labor of love: From Garden to Bottle: The apples are hand-picked directly from the family’s private garden. Whole Fruit Integrity: Unlike commercial brands that use scraps or cores, this is made using the juice from whole apples, which are cold-pressed to preserve every nutrient. The Orleans Method: The family uses an ancient French traditional method from Orléans. This involves a slow, natural fermentation process. Patience is Key: The vinegar is aged in wooden barrels for a long period. This slow, natural transformation creates a depth of flavour and a potency of "The Mother" that you simply cannot find in quick-fermented alternatives. The result? A smooth, complex, and incredibly "alive" vinegar that tastes as good as it feels. How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Daily Routine The Morning Tonic: Stir 1–2 teaspoons into a glass of warm water with a squeeze of lemon. The Perfect Dressing: Whisk the vinegar with extra virgin olive oil, a touch of honey, and some sea salt for a world-class salad dressing. The Quick Pickle: Use it to quick-pickle red onions or cucumbers for a probiotic-rich topping to your meals. Apple Cider Vinegar with "The Mother" is more than just a kitchen staple; it is a bottle of liquid gold for your wellbeing. By choosing an artisanal, slow-fermented variety like our Slovenian house favourite, you aren’t just buying vinegar—you’re supporting traditional craftsmanship and giving your body the very best of nature.