- Green Lifestyle
No coffee!
As an avowed coffee freak, I would never have dreamed that I would recommend not drinking coffee. But: I have such a bad cold that I can’t smell or taste anything at all. Coffee would simply be a waste because…
Kristin Oldenburg
The nose is stuffy.
Incidentally, the term olfactory bulb is not just a “nice euphemism” for the nose, it is part of the olfactory brain and therefore responsible for the interpretation of odors, among other things. If the nose is stuffy, that part isn’t working. However, as coffee is not only enjoyed through the palate, but also to a large extent through the nose, coffee is no longer an option when you have a cold. So, let’s try some home remedies to recover as quickly as possible (and get the portafilter glowing again).
If you want to know more about the sensory properties of coffee, its aromas, and how a proper tasting works, here are a few links for you:
“Short introduction into cupping. Part 1”
“Part 2 of our mini series on coffee tasting at home.”
“Cupping part 3: How to hiiippphhh.”
“Floral? Nutty? Caramel? Resinous?”
Our 5 favorite remedies for colds.
Of course, you can immediately go for everything the pharmaceutical section has to offer. Personally, however, I always try grandma’s home remedies first. They usually help so that antibiotics and the like don’t have to be used. You might want to try these 5 tips to see if you can beat your cold.
1. Tea
Who would ever have thought that us coffee maniacs would recommend tea? But ginger and lemon tea works incredibly well when you have a colds. Ginger contains gingerol, which has an anti-inflammatory and stimulating effect (instead of caffeine). Lemon provides vitamin C – of course. And if you add turmeric to the mix, you should feel better pretty soon. Important: Use organic ginger. And don’t peel it, just wash it. And don’t forget to drink enough in general.
In the afternoon/evening you should switch to elderberry tea, as it’s not as stimulating. And if you tend to have a cough: Thyme tea (1 tbsp of fresh herbs for 1 pot) definitely helps. Cistus tea is also a miracle cure. Make sure it is organic – and use loose leaf tea, bags are usually not as effective.
2. Spinach and kale.
Green leafy vegetables contain an incredible amount of vitamins and antioxidants that strengthen the immune system. A tip: High-fat sausages etc. may be tasty for some people, but they are not exactly beneficial for the immune system.
3. No sugar.
Sugar and sugary foods such as white bread, soft drinks, and sweets tend to be counterproductive as they often exacerbate the symptoms. (I always get a craving for tinned apricots – very strange.) But maybe you need some nerve food, aka chocolate, then treat yourself to it. Satisfaction puts you in a good mood – and that always helps.
4. Homemade chicken soup.
It’s a cure-all. Against the flu, against lovesickness, against the January blues.
5. Fresh air.
In as many forms as possible. So, on the one hand, let in fresh air regularly to get the viruses out of the house. On the other hand, a walk outside also helps. You get more oxygen, your circulation gets going – and it’s always better than watching TV. Important: Put a scarf around your neck and make sure you don’t sweat.
So much for the “granny” tips.
All that remains is to look forward to my favorite coffee (barista espresso, sophisticated, pure without milk and sugar… Yum!) – and to wish you all a quick recovery.
