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Posted on 2010-06-11
Herb scent
You have often read how good our herbs taste and how healthy they are. But we have not dealt with the scent of our herbs as much as we should have.
That lavender and mint is used for perfume is known. But that other herbs like thyme and basil are becoming increasingly popular is not common knowledge. Herbs are being used more often in perfume, soap and bath foam.
Since 3500 BC, herbs have been used as perfume and incense. In ancient Egypt, herbs were used in temples and mint was used in the process of mummification. In those days, cinnamon was already used to combat strong odours in China, India and Indonesia. The Greeks and Romans also used lavender and rosemary to smell good. And from the seventeenth century, herbs were a key component in most of the French perfumes.
Popular herbs now used in several perfumed products are lemon thyme and rosemary. These two herbs are especially popular in men perfumes. In a lot op products used after sport, mint and sage is used because of the fresh scent of these herbs. Cinnamon basil and lemon basil are also popular herbs. And of course lavender is used a lot in women perfumes.
Interested in our scented herbs? Please contact us.
Posted on 2010-06-04
Recipe of June: Hungarian bean soup with noodles
Our herbs come from all over the world. Also from Eastern Europe. For instance, we have thyme from Poland and valerian, mint and lemon balm from Bulgaria. That is why we now give you a recipe from Eastern Europe: Hungarian bean soup with noodles.
Ingredients
25 g beans
80 g smoked pork
2 cloves garlic
8- 10 black pepper grains
15 g finely chopped turnips
15 g finely chopped carrots
2 bay leafs
13 g flower
1 egg
1 finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon oil
1 tea spoon paprika powder
half green pepper finely chopped
Preparation
Wash the pork and let it soak overnight together with the beans.
Clean the garlic and put it in a tea bag together with the pepper. Rinse the pork and the beans. Put the meat in a pan with cold water and let it cook till the meat is half done. Add the beans, the tee bag, the bay leaves, turnip and carrots and let it cook.
Meanwhile you can make the noodles. Mould 10 g flower with the egg and a pinch of salt into a bun. Cut the bun into small peaces. Bake the onion together with the remaining flower for 5 minutes. Turn of the heat and sprinkle the paprika powder over the flower and onions. Add 3 dl water and stir till the sauce is even. Add this to the soup.
Add the noodles and let the soup cook for another 10 to 12 minutes. Take out the tee bag and the bay leaves and add salt to taste. Before serving add the green pepper.
The soup can be served with sour cream.
Have a nice meal.
Posted on 2010-05-28
Recipe of May: Pasta with parsley and minced meat
It is nearly summer and therefore time for a delicious Italian recipe. And again one with parsley. The herb VNK is known best for.
Pasta with parsley and minced meat.
Ingredients
500 gr Penne or macaroni
1 onion finely cut
2 tablespoons oil
500 gr minced meat
White pepper
Nutmeg
Salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
250 ml white whine
1 can of pealed tomatoes
Parsley
For the sauce
60 gr butter
60 gr flower
1 litre milk
2 egg yolk
200 gr cheese
Preparation
Cook the pasta using the guidelines on the package
Heat the oil in a pan and cook the onion and minced meat. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon to taste. Add the white whine, the cubed tomatoes and parsley. Let it thicken.
Heat the butter in another pan and cook the flower till it is yellow. Add the milk and let the sauce thicken. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Let the sauce cool. Stir the egg yolk together with some sauce in a cup. Add this to the sauce together with one thirds of the cheese.
Butter an oven pan. Put in half of the pasta and cover this with another third of the cheese and the minced meat. Add the last half of the pasta and cover this with the sauce and the last remaining cheese. Put in a preheated oven (200 degrees Celsius) and let it cook for another 30 to 45 minutes.
Posted on 2010-05-28
Chives: Dutch Herb of the Year 2010
As you already know, VNK organised the election for the Dutch Herb of the Year for the First time this year. The votes have been counted and the winner is: Chives.
Why Chives? It is a delicious herb with a sophisticated taste that can be used in many dishes. Besides that, chives stimulate the appetite and helps digest fats. It has a positive effect on cholesterol and blood pressure and contains a lot of vitamin A and C. And it is a real spring and summer herb. When chives starts growing, you know that summer is coming and you can dream of long summer nights on a terrace with a nice salad with chives.
Due to its refined taste, chives have been used for countless dishes throughout the centuries. 300 BC, chives were already used and cultivated by the Chinese. From there it was introduced into Europe, where it grew very well due to the colder, humid climate. Charlemagne ordered chives to be grown in all monastery gardens. It was thought it could help against drunkenness.
Chives are related to the onion and grow best in humid, humus rich soils. This multi year plant has tube formed leafs on which red violet flowers grow from June till August. The plant can hibernate because it stores food under the ground.
The leafs of chives are eaten and can be used in salads, soups, sauces and warm dishes. The taste of chives is at its best when eaten raw. When chives are cooked together with a warm dish, the taste disappears. It is better to add the chives at the last moment.
This year, we will highlight chives. For instance we will give you some recipes with chives.
VNK has chives in its assortment. If you have any questions over our chives or the election, please contact us.
Posted on 2010-05-21
International Biodiversity Day
It is International Biodiversity day on May 22. On this day several activities are being organised on the subject of biodiversity. Everyone can contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
During the International Biodiversity Day, attention is asked for the loss of biodiversity in the world. Most people think that this only concerns the loss of rainforest and with this for instance the loss of herbs and medicinal plants. It is perceived as something that is far away and cannot be helped by them. This is not true. Species disappear close to home.
And people can do something about that. A nice example is planting herbs, like mint, oregano and rosemary in the garden. These herbs attract butterflies and bees. Also in the middle of a city. This helps with the preservation of biodiversity.
Posted on 2010-05-21
VNK has new e-mail addresses
To accommodate you better and to improve our good services even more, VNK had opened several new e-mail addresses.
For general information on VNK and our products, please contact Info@vnk-herbs.nl
Interested in our offers, please contact Purchase@vnk-herbs.nl
For your enquiries, please contact Sales@vnk-herbs.nl
With these new addresses, we hope we can service you better.
Posted on 2010-05-21
Marjoram or wild marjoram?
What is the difference between marjoram and wild marjoram (oregano)? These two herbs appear to be similar but there are also very distinctive differences.
Marjoram and wild marjoram both belong to the labiatea family. Both herbs grow in the wild in the Mediterranean. Both herbs were also used by the Greeks. And both herbs have a spicy, some what bitter taste. But there are also differences.
Marjoram is also called sweet marjoram. In the Mediterranean it is multiannual herb. In the Netherlands it is an annual herb because it cannot survive the cold. Marjoram likes sunny places and humus rich soils and has a slightly softer and sweeter taste than wild marjoram. One should only add marjoram at the end of preparing a dish and not cook it.
Wild marjoram is also called oregano. Contrary to marjoram, this herb also grows in the wild in the Netherlands. It is a protected species in the Netherlands. The taste of wild marjoram is stronger than that of marjoram. Wild marjoram has to cook together with the dish for the taste to develop.
VNK has marjoram and wild marjoram in its assortment. Interested, please contact us.
Posted on 2010-04-16
Herbs against malaria
The government of Nigeria and an university from Malaysia are going to conduct research on the use of herbs against malaria.
For this purpose, medicinal and aromatic plants are cultivated in a botanical garden near the capital Lagos. This garden is now under construction. The focus of the research is on herbs and medicinal plants that prevent and cure malaria.
Posted on 2010-04-09
Herb of the year 2010
In the USA, dill has been chosen as the herb of the year 2010. Because there is no equivalent in the Netherlands or in Europe, VNK introduces the election of the Dutch Herb of the year 2010. After all we stand for herbs! We would like to invite you to participate in this election.
You can vote for your favourite herb. Please send an e-mail with your suggestion and motivation to info@vnk-herbs.nl and your favourite herb will participate in the election for the title Herb of the year 2010. We have already received some suggestions. For instance nettles, Anglica and chives have been named.
So send in your favourite herb and tell us why this herb deserves the title Herb of the year 2010. We will soon publicise the list of nominees. An objective jury will chose the herb that will have the first title Herb of the Year.
Posted on 2010-04-01
Herbs and animal health
The discussion over the effects of the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is ongoing. Both in the media and the scientific community. Because of this interest in the use of herbs for animal health has renewed.
Organic animal husbandry has used herbs as an alternative for regular medicines for some years now. Research into this topic gives mix results. For instance, a research of the Wageningen UR in 2004, showed hat the use of Chinese herbs and mushrooms were a good alternative for the use of antibiotics to stimulate growth in chickens.
Another research into the preventive use of herbs against contamination with ascarid in piglets gave positive results. It was concluded that when fodder was mixed with a five percent mixture of thyme, lemon balm and coneflower, contamination with ascarid was effectively reduced. The pigs also grew better. In a follow up research, the herbs did not have any effect. Possible explanations were that the contamination dosage was higher than in the previous test and this was to high to be effectively treated with herbs. Another reason was that the dosage of herbs in this test was lower than in the previous test.
In the future more research will be conducted on herbs and animal health. VNK will keep you informed on these results.
Source: RIKILT
Posted on 2010-03-26
More Omega-3 in milk thanks to soy and flax seed oil
Cows that are fed with a supplement of gel made from soy and flax seed oil, produce milk with more unsaturated fatty acids.
Scientists from Wageningen UR Livestock Research conclude this. Daily the cows were given 450 gr soy and flax seed oil. This increased the content of omega-3 linolenic acid to 2,5 percent of the total fatty acids. Without the oil this was 0,5 percent.
Replacing saturated fatty acids with unsaturated fatty acids reduces the chance of having hart and vascular diseases with humans about nineteen percent. That is why dairy companies are looking for methods to increase the contents of unsaturated fatty acids in milk. Although omega-3 linolenic acid is not a complete alternative for omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in fish oil, it can contribute to a healthier diet.
Source: Wageningen UR Livestock Research
Posted on 2010-03-26
Recipe of March: Parsley Potato cookies
As you already know, VNK is best known for its parsley. Our parsley is the best you can get. A recipe with parsley is therefore logical. The recipe of the month March.
Ingredients
350 gr. warm, mashed potatoes
100 gr. flower
50 gr. butter
2 tablespoons finely cut parsley
salt and pepper
Mix the mashed potatoes gently with the flower. Mix in the salt and pepper to taste and add the butter and parsley. Make nice round and flat cookies and bake the cookies in butter until they are brown.
Variation: Mix in an egg and some nettles. These cookies are a tasty meat replacement for a hot meal or snack.
Posted on 2010-03-19
Herbs important source antioxidants
That herbs and spices are delicious, we already know. That they also contain a lot of antioxidants, we also already know. But that they often are a better source of antioxidants than vegetables and fruit is no commonly known.
This can be concluded form research published in Nutrition Journal in January. This research confirms the results from previous research conducted in 2003. The herbs with the highest concentrations of antioxidants are oregano, sage, thyme, peppermint, clove and cinnamon. In dried form clove, cinnamon, rosemary and thyme have the highest concentrations of antioxidants. From the research it can be concluded that 1 gram of these herbs can contain up to 1 mmol antioxidants. This makes herbs a better source for antioxidants than for instance vegetables and fruit.
Source: Nutrition Journal
Posted on 2010-02-26
Food safety important for consumers
Food safety will be an important theme for consumers in 2010.
This is concluded in a report from Deloitte. With a global food chain, the concerns of the consumers over the origin of products and the method of production increase. Consumers want to know where their food originates from and what the quality is. Other important subjects are price-quality and sustainability.
For producers this means that they have to be transparent about the origin and production process of their products. Through product and process innovations, producers also have to produce more sustainable products.
VNK controls its whole cultivation and production chain. We help our farmers with the cultivation of herbs and frequently conduct quality tests. During and after the production process, we analyse the product in our laboratory so that we can deliver your products with an analyses report. This is how VNK can give you full enclosure about the origins and quality of our products.
Do you want to know more about of production process or product, please contact us.
Source: Deloitte
Posted on 2010-02-26
Area organic farming largest in Flevoland
With over 7000 hectares of organic farming land in Flevoland, the home base of VNK is the most important origin for organic agricultural products in the Netherlands.
Worldwide, the organic cultivated area grew with three million to 35 million hectares in 2008. The largest growth was in South America and Europe. The growth in the Netherlands was not that large. With sixteen percent, Flevoland has the largest portion of organic farming in the Netherlands followed by Gelderland and Friesland.
With its clean, young polder spoils, the home base of VNK is extremely well suited for the cultivation of organic products. Herbs like chervil, celery, valerian and parsley are excellent examples.
Interested in our organic herbs? Please contact us.
Sources: IFOAM and Compendium voor de leefomgeving
Posted on 2010-02-26
Surprising cocktails
Cocktails with herbs are the new hype
Last week, you read that cocktails with herbs are a hype. Below two surprising recipes
Lavender Lemon Drop
Ingredients: 2 parts lemon vodka, 1 part lemon juice, 1 branch lavender, 1 teaspoon sugar water
Add the lavender and the sugar water in a cocktail shaker en pound lightly so that the juices mix. Add the other ingredients including some ice cubes and shake. Pour the cocktail into a cocktail glass.
Eucalyptus Martini
Ingredients: 25 ml eucalyptus syrup, 25 ml lemon juice, 12,5 ml Cointreau, 50 ml gin, 3 drops egg white
Add all the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour the cocktail in a martini glass and garnish with a eucalyptus leave.
Posted on 2010-02-19
Cocktails with herbs
Cocktails are a real trend. The new hype is cocktails with herbs.
Everybody knows the Cuban Mojito with mint. But what do you think about cocktails prepared with basil, lavender or cinnamon. There are unlimited possibilities. For instance, basil can be used in a cocktail with lemon. And hyssop is delicious in a fruit cocktail in combination with peaches or blueberries. Below a recipe for a cocktail with herbs. For your inspiration.
Recipe for a Mojito
Ingredients
2 parts white rum
1 part soda water
Juice of ½ a lime
3 tablespoons brown sugar
6 leaves mint
1 stem mint
4 ice cubes
Put the sugar, lime, leafs of mint and some soda water in a glass and bruise lightly so that the juices mix and the sugar dissolves. Add the ice cubes, the rum and the rest of the soda water. At last add the stem of mint and the cocktail is done.
Posted on 2010-02-19
Soy relieves discomfort menopause
Soy can reduce the number of hot flushes with women during menopause. This is concluded in Italian research.
During the study, a group of 180 women took either eighty milligrams of isoflavones, a substance found in soy, or a placebo. After six weeks, the number of hot flushes in the isoflavones group reduced with 36 percent while in the control group the reduction was only 25 percent. After twelve weeks this difference was even bigger.
VNK has freeze-dried bean sprouts in its assortment. Interested? Please contact us.
Source: VMT
Posted on 2010-02-19
Quality seeds excellent
In 2009, the harvest and quality of seeds for the summer crops like wheat and legume was excellent.
This concludes the Dutch General Inspection Service for agricultural seeds and seed potatoes (NAK). The harvest is substantial higher than in 2008. The germinative capacity and health is also substantial better than in 2008.
VNK can offer you a big variety of legumes and wheat. We have freeze-dried en deep-freeze peas, chickpeas and wheat in our assortment. With freeze-drying, the quality of these products stays excellent. Another advantage is that with freeze-drying, we can deliver you these products all through the year.
Are you interested in these products or other freeze-dried products? Please contact us.
Source: NAK
Posted on 2010-02-18
Production of chilli increases
The production of chilli has increased with 5.2 percent worldwide.
India, China, Peru and Hungary are the most important producers of chilli. With some sixty percent of the worldwide production, India is the largest producer of chilli. The growth of the production in China has increased significantly, making this country the largest producer after India and before Peru and Hungary. The production in Hungary has decreased in 2009.
In 2009 1167 tonnes of chilli were produced worldwide. This was done on some 737,000 hectares of land. With that, the productivity in the sector has increased.
Source: Commodityonline
Posted on 2010-02-18
Hot herbs help with diet
According to German researchers cayenne pepper, paprika and chilli powder can help with losing weight.
The German Institute for Nutrition and Diet says these hot herbs make the body sweeter. With this, the energy needs increase. A cup of hot coffee has the same effect.
During dieting, these nutritional experts recommend drinking strong coffee with breakfast and lunch and adding hot herbs instead of salt to your food.
Posted on 2010-02-12
Hot herbs help with diet
According to German researchers cayenne pepper, paprika and chilli powder can help with losing weight.
The German Institute for Nutrition and Diet says these hot herbs make the body sweeter. With this, the energy needs increase. A cup of hot coffee has the same effect.
During dieting, these nutritional experts recommend drinking strong coffee with breakfast and lunch and adding hot herbs instead of salt to your food.
Posted on 2010-02-12
Hibiscus tea beneficial against high blood pressure
Three cups of hibiscus tea per day reduces the blood pressure and reduces the risks for people with high blood pressure.
This can be concluded from a controlled test with 65 people of Tufts University in the USA. The group of people that drank three cups of hibiscus tea per day had a lower blood pressure than the group of people that used a placebo.
Hibiscus makes the blood vanes relaxed. Earlier studies also saw a positive effect on diuretic.
VNK has air-dried hibiscus in its assortment. Interested? Please contact us.
Source: Nutraingredients.com
Posted on 2010-02-12
Carrot soup with herbs
Every month, we offer you new ideas for delicious dishes with herbs: recipe of the month. Because cooking with herbs is so delicious, we also want to give you other recipes we find.
In the paper Trouw, we saw a recipe for a delicious carrot soup Indian style. And this guarantees herbs. This carrot soup contains herbs that can be found in the assortment of VNK: garlic, ginger and coriander.
Are you interested in our products? Please contact us.
You can find the recipe here.
Another recipe for Indian carrot soup with fresh coriander you can find here.
Posted on 2010-02-05
Lovage of VNK
A commonly used herb in our assortment is lovage. This plant is often used in the kitchen in our area. The plant is also sometimes known as Maggi plant, although it is not an ingredient used in the original recipe for the soup-flavouring brand.
Lovage is an herb-like plant originating from South Europe. The Romans took the plant with them during their conquest of Europe. Nowadays the plant is found throughout Europe and North America.
The plant has a stalk part and an herb part and is often used in Northern en Central European cuisine. The delicate, young leaves give a celery-like taste to soups, salads and sauces. Lovage is much sweeter and more powerful than celery. Sometimes the stalks are used as a straw for drinking - it is thought that this helps against a sore throat. Lovage stimulates the appetite and also has a calming effect on the intestines.
The leaves as well as the seeds are used in the kitchen and have the celery-like taste. Leaves are used in stews, salads, sauces and soups. The seeds are used for flavouring bread. Lovage can be used for flavouring and helps with digestive problems.
VNK produces lovage roots for extraction companies. Maggi cubes are made from the roots of lovage. We supply air-dried and freeze-dried lovage leaves to the food industry.
Do you want to know more about lovage of do you want to order this herb? Please contact us.
Posted on 2010-02-05
Recipe of the month February: Julienne soup with herbs
Did you know that Julienne soup taste much better when you add some fresh herbs? What about lovage, chives, celery, parsley and chervil? Make, taste and be your own judge. Our recipe of the month February.
Julienne soup with herbs
Julienne soup is called that way because of the vegetables that have been cut julienne. This means in long narrow strips.
Ingredients:
125 g cauliflower, 100 g snow peas, 1 long leek, 1 red pepper, 2 stalks celery and 3 carrots, all cut into long narrow strips
125 g green peas (fresh/frozen)
10 cherry tomatoes, divided into halves
Salt and pepper
5 tablespoons cut herbs (lovage, chives, celery, parsley and chervil)
Preparation:
First boil the cauliflower, snow peas, leek, celery and carrots in bouillon for 2 minutes. Add the sweet pepper and the green peas and boil for another 3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and cook for another 1 or 1,5 minute. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and finally add the herbs. Serve with breadsticks and bread.
Bon appetit.
Posted on 2010-02-05
Basil lessens swelling of the joints
Some varieties of basil have the same effect as strong anti-inflammatory medicines. This was concluded from research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester.
Researchers discovered that a concentrated form of two varieties of basil that were taken orally reduced the swelling and pain in joints with 73 percent within 24 hours. The basils that were used were ocimum americanum and ocimum tenuiflorum. It was already known that basil helps against diabetes and reduces blood sugar levels.
Source: DailyMail
Posted on 2010-01-29
Parsley slows down growth leukaemia
Eating parsley, but also apples and grapes, seems to slow down the growth of leukaemia cells. This can be concluded form research done at the University Medical Centre Groningen.
The substance Apigenin that can be found in Parsley has a protective effect. The substance slows down the growth of leukaemia cells. On the other hand, the substance also has an effect on the medicine vincristine, thereby decreasing the effect of chemotherapy.
VNK cultivates and processes a lot of parsley in the Netherlands. The conditions in the Netherlands are ideal for parsley: good soils and favourable climate. That is why the parsley from VNK is the best you can get. Interested, please contact us.
Source: EVMI
Posted on 2010-01-29
GMP+ since January 2010 independent
VNK has a GMP+ certificate. This certificate guarantees the quality of the products in animal fodder. From January 2010, a special foundation will accommodate GMP+
Reason is the GMP+ has to becoming more flexible to do justice to the national differences in legislation. Thirty percent of the participants are from the Netherlands and some forty percent are from Germany. To accommodate the growth of the participants from Central Europe, the certificate had to be disconnected from the Product Board Animal Feed.
If you have any question about the GMP+ certificate please contact us.
Posted on 2010-01-22
Rosemary from VNK
Rosemary has been used for centuries in the kitchen. Especially in the Mediterranean it is an essential part of the kitchen traditions. The ancient Greeks associated rosemary and especially the aroma with the goddess of love. That is why it was often used during weddings.
Rosemary is evergreen bush. The needle-like leafs are green on top and white at the bottom. Rosemary flowers in the Netherlands during march till may with small blue and white flowers.
Rosemary is most known for its use in the kitchen. The flowers and the leafs can be used. The taste is dominant and that is why it is often used in meat dishes. The flowers are very nice in a salad.
Rosemary contains ethereal oils that stimulate blood flow and the digestive system. Besides that, there are indications that it protects the brain against for instance memory loss.
Rosemary from VNK originates primarily from Tunisia and Morocco. The cultivation complies with our high quality standards. In our assortment w have two different kinds of rosemary. Both can be used in the kitchen.
Interested? Please contact us.
Posted on 2010-01-22
Recipe of the month January: Winter Stew
It is winter in Europe. We have experienced that the last couple of weeks. It is cold and that means in the Netherlands: winter food. Hotchpotch and pea soup are being made in the Dutch kitchens. To ring some variety onto the table we now have a delicious recipe for a stew with nice herbs.
Winter stew
For 2 to 3 people
Ingredients
250 gr beef poulet
pepper and salt season to taste
1 big onion
1 red sweet pepper
200 ml red wine
1 garden herb stock cube
2 bay leafs
teaspoon caraway seed
teaspoon rosemary
teaspoon red sweet pepper powder
dash of ketjap manis
1 large carrot
250 gr white cabbage
200 gr frozen peas
1 leek
Preparation:
Fry the beef poulet in a casserole. Ad Pepper and salt to taste. Ad the sliced onion and fry for a while. Add half of the sweet pepper (sliced in cubes) and fry this also for a while.
Ad the whine and 500 ml of water (as much a necessary so that the meat is coffered), together with the garden herb stock, bay leafs, caraway seed, rosemary, red sweet pepper powder and ketjap manis. Bring this to boiling point and after that let it simmer for some 1.5 hours. Regularly check that there is still enough water in the pan.
Cut the carrot, white cabbage and peas and add this to the stew. Cook till the vegetables are done. Bind the stew with cornflower (mix 2 teaspoons with some water in a cup and add this porridge to the stew while stirring).
Serve with boiled potatoes
Have a nice meal.
Posted on 2010-01-08
Herbs help against diabetes
Diabetes is one of most common illnesses. Herbs have been used against diabetes for centuries. Examples are gurmar and bilberries (blue berry).
Gurmar has been used in Ayurverdic medicines for centuries. This health study is based on ancient Indian traditions and uses a variety of herbs. Gurmar helps glucose to absorb sugar.
One of the most commonly used herbs against diabetes in Europe is bilberry leafs. The substances in the leaf reduce bold sugar. Several cups of thee from a handful of bilberry leafs already reduce blood sugar.
VNK has air dried bilberry leafs in its assortment. Interested? Please contact us.
Posted on 2009-12-11
Part December recipes from VNK part 2
Since the beginning of this year, VNK has a very festive berry in its assortment: the cranberry. Because it is used a lot in December w have some nice recipes with cranberries you can use.
Cranberries originate from North America. Since some berries where washed up onto the coast of the Waddeneilanden, they can also be found in the Netherlands.
VNK has freeze-dried cranberries in its assortment. During the process of freeze-drying, water is extracted through cold air. Advantages of freeze-drying are that the taste and the colour are preserved better.
Interested? Please contact us.
Below some very nice recipes for a main course and dessert.
Main course: Proud flesh stew with chestnuts and
Ingredients
250 gr fresh chestnuts
1 tablespoon flower
½ thee spoon pepper, paprika powder en chilli powder
1 ¼ kg stew meat from deer, hare and wild pig
2 tablespoon oil
175 gr bacon
2 onions
1 bouquet garni (laurel, thyme, rosemary, parsley)
1 pot wild fond
3 dl red whine
salt
100 gr cranberries
Cut the chestnuts and put them in the oven for some 10 minutes (200 degrees), let them cool and peal the chestnuts. Mix the flower with the spices. Cut the stew meat and mix this with the spiced flower.
Cut the onions and cook them in the oil. Add the bacon cook for some 5 minutes. Get the onions and bacon out of the oil and use this oil to cook the stew meat.
Put the stew meat and all the other ingredients, except for the cranberries, in a pan and stew this for an hour. Add the cranberries and let it stew for another 15 minutes.
Let the stew cool down. Before eating heat the stew and add some thyme and parsley.
Source: http://www.receptengids.nl/
Dessert: Cranberry parfait with cinnamon sabayon
Ingredients parfait
½ litre whipped cream
5 eggs
150 gr sugar
100 gr freeze-dried cranberries
Ingredients Sabayon
50 cc white whine
1 tablespoon sugar
1 knife tip cinnamon powder
1 egg yolk
Whip the cream until it's hard. Mix the 5 eggs with the sugar. Whip the substance au bain marie until its hard and get it of the fire. Keep stirring until it has cooled down. Mix the whipped cream, the cranberries and the cooled down mixture. Put into small bowls and let it freeze. Take the mixture out some 6 minutes before eating the product.
Put al the ingredients for the sabayon in a bowl. Stir the mixture au bain marie until cooked.
Source: Restaurant Le Mirage
Posted on 2009-12-04
Parsley and VNK
Parsley is a common herb. But that does not mean that it is a boring herb!
For instance, did you know that parsley is very healthy? It contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. And did you have too much garlic with your diner? Eating parsley will refresh your breath.
Where parsley originates from is not known for certain. It is assumed that it grew around the Mediterranean and the Romans for instance exported it throughout the whole of Europe. There are three kinds of parsley. The best known is the curly parsley that is used as garnish a lot. But, the flat leaved parsley has a more delicate taste and intense aroma. The reason is that it contains a higher concentration of water and ethereal oils. And the last is the root parsley, which can be eaten like a vegetable.
VNK cultivates and processes parsley in the Netherlands. The conditions in the Netherlands are ideal for parsley: good soils and favourable climatic conditions. That is the reason why the parsley of VNK is the best parsley you can get. Interested? Please contact use.
Posted on 2009-12-04
Party December recipes from VNK part 1
Since the beginning of this year, VNK as a very festive berry in its assortment that is used especially this time of the year. That is why we will give you some recipes with cranberry this month.
Cranberries originate from North America. The Indians already used cranberries for medicinal papooses. The juice was used for arrow wounds. The also drank the juice to protect the bladder. The substance proanthocyanide is the substance that accounts for the medicinal properties of the red berry.
Since some berries washed up on the coast of the Waddeneilanden they also can be found in the Netherlands. Cranberries contain a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants, which help to protect against cancer and aging. Besides that, cranberries are very tasty.
VNK has freeze-dried cranberries in its assortment. Interested? Please contact us.
Here are some very nice recipes for an entrée and dessert.
Entrée: Goat cheese with cranberry compote
Ingredients
1 bag with freeze-dried cranberries
150 ml red port
80-100 gr sugar
juice of a lemon
rasped skin of a lemon
Put the cranberries in a pan and ad all the other ingredients. Heat up the substance till it cooks while stirring. Keep on stirring the substance till the berries break and the substance becomes a kind of jelly. According too your taste, add extra sugar or port. Let the compote cool down
Toast some white bread and cut out circles. Put some goat cheese on the bread and add some cranberry compote. Put the bread in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes until the cheese changes colour. Serve with lattice.
Dessert: Cranberry FrisFruit Smulbuideltje
Ingredients
10 slices puff paste
100 gr freeze-dried cranberries
Pieces of apple, apricot, banana, nuts
According to taste sugar
Mix the fruit with the sugar in a bowl. Fold the fruit composition in the puff paste. Bake in the oven the way it states on the packaging of the puff paste.
Source: http://www.berricofood.com/
Posted on 2009-11-27
Mint tea effective against pain
According to researchers of the University of Newcastle, a cup of mint tea can be just as effective against pain as aspirins.
During the study, one group of mice got tea of Brazilian mint and another group got aspirins. It was concluded that Brazilian mint is just as effective as pain remedy as aspirins.
Brazilian mint has already been used as painkiller for generation in Brazil. The tea from Brazilian mint taste different from the normal mint. It is bitter and therefore does not taste nice.
Further research has to find out which substance in the Brazilian mint relieves pain.
(Source: The Times Online)
Posted on 2009-11-27
Chinese garlic expensive because of fear for the flu
The price of garlic in China has increased fifteen times because of the fear for the Mexican flu.
According to Chinese believes garlic is an effective remedy against the flu. With the increase in flu cases, the demand for garlic has increased significantly in China. For instance, a school in Eastern China has stocked up some 200 kilo garlic. During the meals, students get some extra garlic.
(Source: de Volkskrant)
Posted on 2009-11-20
Recipe of the month
Herbs heighten the taste experience. To illustrate this, every month we will surprise you with a recipe in which herbs feature prominently. This month cherry ice cream with rosemary.
Ingredients:
- 1 branch rosemary
- 500 ml milk
- 5 egg yolk
- 125 gr sugar
- 250 ml whipped cream
- 50 ml cherry molasses
- 4 spoons cherries
Add the rosemary to the milk en heat the milk. Let the milk simmer on a low fire for 15 minutes. Whip the egg yolk and sugar to a light yellow and creamy mixture. Sieve the milk and add this to the creamy mixture. Heat this mixture and stir until the mixture becomes even. Put the whipped cream in a bowl and add the mixture. Stir regular and let the mixture cool down in the fridge for an hour. With the ice machine you can then make ice cream of the mixture. When the ice cream is ready, stir in the molasses and garnish the ice cream with the cherries. (Source: Nieuws.nl)
Posted on 2009-11-20
Export herbs from India increases
In October, the export of herbs from India has increased with 27 percent in comparison with October 2008.
The value of the export increased with nine percent. The export of herbs in comparison with September increased with ten percent. Especially the export of cardamom, chilli, ginger and turmeric increased a lot.
Posted on 2009-11-13
Brazil includes herbs in health care
Brazil has included 71 medicinal herbs into the public health care system. These herbs are the basis for several medicines.
The use of herbs as medicine is deeply rooted in Brazilian culture.
With this decision, the Brazilian government hopes to increase the knowledge on herbs and stimulate the economic independence of small farmers who collect and cultivate these herbs. Another effect is that there now is an economic motive to preserve the biodiversity in Brazil.
Source: http://www.ipsnews.be/
Posted on 2009-10-30
Herbs against diabetes
Research has indicated that several Chinese herb preparations can possibly counteract beginning diabetes with people.
This can be concluded from sixteen different studies in which fourteen different herb preparations were used. The chance on normal blood glucose percentages was doubled when people got the advice to combine herbs with a different lifestyle. The researchers also indicate that further research on this issue is necessary
Posted on 2009-09-25
Fresh mint from VNK
The strong smelling substance of mint is commonly used in chewing gum and toothpaste. But mint can also be used in the kitchen.
Mint or mentha is an herb grown all over the world in more than 100 varieties. The herb grows best in humid conditions on moist soils. VNK has peppermint (mentha piperita) and spearmint (mentha spicata).
Both peppermint en spearmint are used as a kitchen herb. Adding both herbs to a salad can freshen up the salad considerable. The substance menthol gives both varieties of mint a fresh taste. That is why the mint is also used in for instance chewing gum, ice cream but also toothpaste. Because spearmint contains somewhat less menthol than peppermint, spearmint is also often used in tea.
Interested in our mint, please contact us.
Posted on 2009-09-25
Sage, a delicious winter herb
There are many signs, the summer is over and the winter is coming. A lot of Dutch have already taken out their skates and hope the lakes and rivers will freeze over so that they can go skating. Time to increase your stamina. And this is easy with winter herbs. One of these herbs is sage.
Sage is an aromatic, always green bush that primarily grows on soils rich with lime. The leaves are long and have a white shade. Sage contains substances that reduce infections and can kill germs of disease. To get a good nights rest, the Dutch boil a little sage with milk and honey. This beverage is calming and also soothes the throat when inflamed. Besides that sage is a delicious herb that can be used in a lot of dishes.
Interested in sage, please contact us.
Posted on 2009-09-25
New agricultural fair in Biddinghuizen
From 8 to 11 September 2010, the Federation Agrotechniek organises the national agricultural trade fair on the grounds of Walibi in Flevoland.
During this two yearly agricultural fair, the latest trends in the field of agriculture are presented. Agrotechniek Holland wants to grow into one of the most important national agricultural fairs. Visitors can see the latest tractors, installations, machines, parts, milking techniques and animal husbandry equipment displayed by producers, importers and dealers. Besides that, the visitors will be introduced with everything related to agriculture, get information from financial advisors and other service providers.
For more information go to: http://www.agrotechniek.org/
Posted on 2009-09-18
Week of the Taste
The Week of the Taste starts on Saturday September 19th. During this national event, hundreds of local activities are organised in which taste is the central theme and organic and local products play a lead roll.
Throughout the Netherlands, several activities are organised by restaurants, producers, supermarkets, farmers and cooking schools. For example in Flevoland diners and harvest fests are organised. You can also participate in workshops on healthy food.
For more information, please check http://www.weekvandesmaak.nl/
Posted on 2009-09-11
Chefs want products from own soil
Chefs from Flevoland, the Netherlands, would like to use products cultivated in Flevoland. The farmers from Flevoland would like to deliver these products to them. What is the reason that is so difficult?
The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture organised an inspiration morning in Dronten, where both groups met each other. On this morning there was a lot of tasting and talking. One of the conclusions is that the development of a new logistic system is essential.
Posted on 2009-09-04
Nettles of VNK
An herb that is common in the whole of Europe, and especially to Bulgaria, is the Urtica dioica or commonly known as the big nettle. Everyone knows this plant as the plant with the burning hairs, in which you should not fall.
The nettle also has positive properties. For instance, the herb can be used in the kitchen, as an ingredient for a fine soup or for pasta. The nettle has a lot to offer. It is easy digestible, strengthens and purifies the body in the spring and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Besides the already mentioned applications, the nettle is primarily used for tea and is sold as a medicinal, homeopathic remedy.
The nettle is also used in the clothing industry. Not only as dye for wool but also as fibres for cloth. This is now happening on a small scale in the Netherlands.
Bulgaria is an important supplier of nettles of VNK. The plant is collected in the wild and is an important export product to primarily Germany.
Interested in the nettles of VNK, please contact us.
Posted on 2009-08-28
Digitalis Lanata of VNK
The harvest of the kitchen-herbs is nearly finished. VNK is nearly ready for the harvest of Digitalis Lanata in the autumn. For us a good reason to tell you something about Digitalis or Foxglove.
Foxglove grows in the wild all around Europe. It grows up to two meters and has crooked clock shaped flowers. Digitalis has been known for its medicinal purposes for a long time. It contains digoxine, a substance that has a positive effect against heart diseases. The herb has been mentioned in several herb books for some 400 years and has been used in medicines for some 200 years.
The woolly foxglove of white foxglove (Digitalis Lanata) has an even stronger effect than normal Foxglove. VNK has been successful in improving production methods and breeding a plant that has more leaves, can resist mildew and has higher concentrations of digoxine and can be harvested vertically and mechanically. After harvesting, the leaf of Digitalis is dried, washed and cut.
If you want to know more about our Digitalis, please contact us.
Posted on 2009-08-28
The flierefluiter
Earlier this year, we told you something about a special crop of VNK: Sambucus. But did you know that Sambucus is responsible for the Dutch word flierefluiter, which means the slacker.
According to the dictionary, the word flierefluiter originates from vlier (sambucus), where children make flutes from. The branch is harvested in the winter en the marrow is cut out. After drying the branch is smoothed and holes are burned into it, after which the flute is ready.
Read more about Sambucus of VNK here or contact us.
Posted on 2009-08-14
Parsley in the picture
One of the herbs that is used the most: parsley. It has been an important product for VNK for a long time now. Because the harvest and processing is in full swing, we would like to tell you more about this very popular herb.
The herb is very popular in the kitchen, as seasoning herb but also as decoration on a plate. Parsley originates from the Mediterranean but is now being cultivated throughout Europe. Also on our fields in Flevoland.
There are three kinds of parsley: curly parsley, flat leaved parsley and root parsley. Curly parsley with the well known curly leafs. It is mainly used as garnish. Flat leaf parsley has flat leafs and due to a higher water content and a higher content in ethereal oils, a more delicate taste and a more intense aroma than the curly parsley. That is why the flat leaf parsley is usually used for drying. The roots of the root parsley are eaten. This root grows up to fifteen centimetres and is eaten like a vegetable.
The germination period of the seed is very long. In the first year, only low dark green leafs will grow. In the second year, the herb will grow up to 90 centimetres with a lot of small yellow green flowers. After flowering, the plant will die. To have fresh parsley, it is necessary to sow parsley each year.
Parsley grows on hummus rich and humid fresh soils. Parsley can best be put on fields where umbel flowering crops used to grow. The plant prefers nutritious and humid soils. Parsley contains a lot of vitamin C and carotene. It stimulates digestion, purifies the blood, and prevents headache, renal and vesicle calculus and diseases to the liver. The whole plant contains a substance that secretes fluids. Dried parsley is less effective than fresh parsley.
Parsley and VNK
Because parsley is often used, it is one of the products that is asked for by the customers a lot. In addition, the conditions for the cultivation of parsley are ideal in the Netherlands: good soils and a favourably climate. Over the last years, we have increased the production and sales of parsley.
Because most of the production time during summer is used to dry and process parsley, the processing lines in are new location in Biddinghuizen have been designed specific for this task.
With a large capacity and a minimum of labour, we can produce an excellent quality of parsley efficiently. We dry at high temperatures so that we can guarantee a good microbiology in the product. The process is managed in a way that the aroma and the colour of the product are preserved for our customers.
Interested in our parsley? Pleas contact us and we can tell you more.
Posted om 2009-08-14
Organic market keeps growing
The recession seems to have little effect on the sales of organic products. The turn over on organic food in supermarkets increased with ten percent in the first half of 2009, against an increase of 2,9 percent for other food products.
The consumers do not see organic products as a luxury but as a motivated choice, according to the Taskforce Market development Organic Agriculture. Consumers often choose organic products for reason like food quality and health.
A study of the Louis Bolt Institute and the RIKILT in Wageningen confirms some of those claims about organic products. For instance, organic plant products contain more active substances like antioxidants and are rich with vitamins. It also seems that organic products can give protection against several allergic reactions or help the immune system.
The organic herbs of VNK also contain more active substances. We can guarantee the quality of our herbs because we control and supervise the whole cultivation process, from seed to end product. In our laboratory we regularly test the quality of our organic herbs.
If you want to learn more over our organic herbs, please contact use.
Posted on 2009-08-07
Herb extracts in stead of antibiotics
Together with the Universities of Utrecht and Wageningen, Animal health Service Deventer is researching if herb extracts can be an alternative for antibiotics for poultry.
Scientists are researching if six different kinds of phyto chemicals can be used to cure two poultry diseases, coccidiose and coliacillose. Phyto chemicals are non-nutritious substances in herbs that protect the plant.
Animals contaminated with one of the diseases are treated with herbs. The results of the treatment will be compared with the effect of the standard treatment with antibiotics.
Source: Agrarisch Dagblad
Posted on 2009-08-07
Photo report Flevo Food Festival
In June, the Flevo Food Festival took pace, with VNk as participant. A photo report can be seen here.
Posted on 2009-06-19
Flevo Food Festival: June 26 and 27, 2007
On the 26th and 27th of June, the Flevo Food Festival will be organised in Dronten, the Netherlands.
During this festival, companies present local products from Flevoland. VNK will also be there. During the festival, guests can taste several local products, including the excellent and natural herbs of VNK.
Does this make your mouth water? Come to the Flevo Food festival in Dronten on the 26th and 27th of June.
Posted on 2009-06-19
Simplifying quality policy for agricultural products
The Netherlands support the EU proposal to simplify quality policies for agricultural products and the harmonisation of these policies because this will increase market conformity and decrease protection measures.
Besides that Minister Verburg of agriculture says that companies have a responsibility to guarantee the quality of their products and food security. Verburg thinks certification is a desirable form of self-regulation for companies.
VNK thinks that food security and high quality is a priority. That is why VNK works with a whole chain approach. From cultivation to production, we work with the highest standards and we conduct several quality tests during the process. VNK also works according to HACCP and has an ISO9001 certificate. Do you want to read more on our certificates, please click here.
Posted on 2009-06-19
Increase export herbs from India
Despite the economic crisis, the export of herbs from India has increased with six percent in the season 2008-2009.
The value of the export of the herbs, also increased with six percent tot some 11 billion dollars in the same year. With this, all expectations were exceeded according to the director of the Spice Board in India.
Posted on 2009-06-15
Demand for organic food products increases quickly in France
The demand for organic products in France is increasing quickly. In 2008, 25 percent more organic products were sold than in 2007. The total turn over in 2008 was 2.6 billion euro.
Because in France only 2 percent of the agricultural land is dedicated to organic products, some twenty percent of the consumed products were imported. For vegetables and fruit this percentage was even sixty percent.
Posted on 2009-06-05
Sambucus of VNK
A special plant that we supply is blossoming at the moment in the Netherlands: Sambucus (Elder). It is a special plant of which the white flowers smell exuberant and the blossom and berries both can be used in the kitchen.
Our sambucus blossom can be used for culinary and medicinal purposes. For instance, tea from sambucus blossom is not only tasty and easy to prepare, it also purifies the blood. Simply poor hot boiling water over the blossom let it stand for a while and the tea is ready.
Lemonade can also be made from sambucus blossom. Let water with the blossom, lemon and sugar stand for 24 hours. Filter and serve the lemonade cold. Or beignets made from the blossom, nice as a dessert and easy to prepare by dipping the blossom in the batter and then frying it.
From both the blossom and the berries, several alcoholic drinks can be made. Well-known varieties are wine, gin and liqueur. Besides that, jam and gelatine can be made from the berries.
Interested in the blossom or berries of the sambucus, please contact VNK.
Posted on 2009-06-05
Service VNK even more efficient
VNK has created the Support Unit in which the logistic process is central. This unit is responsible for the efficient transportation between cultivators, production location and customers so that we can now supply customers with products even quicker.
The Support Unit manages production, harvest and transport. It is responsible for the communication with and between cultivators, contractors, production locations and transporters. Concentration in one unit within the organisation shortens communication lines and speeds up the reactions to changing circumstances.
You, the customer, will keep your own contact person. But now we can supply the desired products more efficient.
Posted on 2009-05-27
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