This guide will review exactly how bitter ingredients affect our health, who can benefit from bitters, and how to make them at home. Our body contains tons of receptors T2Rs for bitter compounds in not only our mouth and tongue, but our stomach, gut, liver, and pancreas.
This is mostly for protective reasons. The stimulation of these bitter receptors promotes healthy digestion by increasing digestive secretions.
This leads to better absorption of nutrients, natural detoxification of the liver, and — thanks to the gut-brain connection — bitters can even have a positive effect on stress. But remember, bitters are not a primary treatment. Think of them as a health boost to help the body run more smoothly — from kick-starting the digestive tract to boosting the immune system. When your digestion needs a little support, bitters can facilitate stomach acid and act as a digestive aid.
Burdock is an inflammation fighter that has been shown to have positive effects in people with osteoarthritis. Paired with common additions, like ginger and turmeric , bitters can become an immune-boosting powerhouse.
The anti-inflammatory compounds in these ingredients have powerful antioxidant effects to protect the body from autoimmune diseases. Curb sugar cravings quickly with the help of bitters, which help counter the brain receptors that drive us to consume sweets. Bitters can promote overall healthy eating habits and control overeating. Consuming bitter foods stimulates the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones, which help control and suppress the appetite.
Certain bittering agents help support the liver at fulfilling its main job: removing toxins from the body and regulating our metabolic processes. Bitters give the liver a boost by aiding in the elimination of toxins and detoxification, coordinating the metabolism of sugar and fats, and helping release gallbladder-supporting hormones like cholecystokinin CCK.
Bitters can also have a positive effect on blood sugar levels , healthy skin, and stress. Aromatics can add flavor, fragrance, sweetness, and balance to bitters.
Some aromatics even come with potent health benefits, such as turmeric , citrus , and lavender. But often a few drops will do. You can take them internally either by placing a few drops from a tincture on the tongue or diluting with another liquid, such as sparkling water or in cocktails. When you take it might matter though: If your goal of using bitters is to ease digestive issues, consumption should occur either directly before or after meals.
How often you take them differs for everyone. While you can use bitters at low doses as part of your daily routine, you may find that bitters help you when used as needed. Aromatics and spices may also be added to bitters.
Spices, botanicals, and herbs are added as flavoring agents but in some cases they also provide additional benefits i. The best thing about bitters is that you can really experiment. Botanicals and aromatics are generally a ratio to bitters or equal parts. Bitters is traditionally and most commonly made with alcohol. Alcohol used to make bitters is typically between percent ABV.
Finally, the drink tastes like a complete flavor, rather than a stop-and-start mix of components. These little bottles are cocktail essentials. But what are aromatic bitters? Styles of bitters will vary, but generally call for a blend of botanicals and spices. Some brands feature dozens of ingredients in each bottle.
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Aromatic bitters were first patented in , when doctors would prescribe them to treat stomach ailments. Some started to use them as hangover cures, as they would add a few dashes to wine or brandy to soothe aches and pains. What are bitters? What is the alcoholic content of bitters? To make bitters, you have to start with a bitter agent. A bittering agent is anything from edible flowers and leaves to roots and barks that provide a strong bitter base. The bitter base flavor is then layered with other botanicals such as dried fruits, toasted nuts, citrus peel, herbs like rosemary, sage, or mint, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice.
Bitters are made by infusing and blending all of the botanical ingredients in high proof alcohol. This extracts a deep concentrated flavor and acts as a preservative. We want our bitters to blend seamlessly into your cocktails. These are considered aromatic bitters and pair best with darker spirits like whiskey. The Bitter Housewife Aromatic Bitters fit into this category as well and was made specifically to go in an Old Fashioned, although it can be used in many other cocktails.
Because bitters can be made up of any botanical combination, there are many options available that differ significantly in flavor than aromatic bitters and can be used with all different spirits. As you explore the world of bitters, look for other options like orange bitters, or grapefruit bitters. Keep exploring and you may find black walnut, chocolate, spiced cherry, lemon, peach, and more.
The flavor you choose depends on what you plan to mix it with. Something as simple as a gin and tonic will benefit from a few dashes of orange bitters or grapefruit bitters. Many people even mix aromatic bitters and soda as a refreshing low ABV beverage.
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