Christmas cookies: how healthy are walnuts, oat, nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices?

Christmas cookies, such as cinnamon or vanilla cookies, are not only good for our soul but also for our body?

But if the ingredients are substituted with a healthier variant of flour, a wholewheat instead of the white or even go gluten free, of if you opt out for the healthier oils and don’t overdo the daily cookies eaten, then Christmas cookies could be the food for your soul during the cold months of the year and benefit your body at the same time.   

Cassia vs. Ceylon cinnamon: which one to use?  

One of the most known culinary spices, used in ground or as cinnamon bark for Christmas cookies (Cinnamomum aromaticum).  Around 2700 B.C. cinnamon was mentioned in the first spice and herb book of the Emperor Shen Nung and is one of the oldest known and used spices. The healing benefits are based in the essential oils and tannins of the cinnamon bark which are known to be antibacterial, antispasmodic and even analgesic.The range of use is very varied. Often, cinnamon is used to increase appetite, for nausea, bloating as well as for other IG track issues.  

The Cassia- cinnamon (aka Chinese cinnamon or Cinnamomum aromaticum) is the most frequently used and less costly variety compared to the Sri Lankan cinnamon, also known as Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). Cassia cinnamon contains a high amount of a compound called coumarin, which, if consumed in high dose or long term, is harmful for the body, specifically the liver. 

Nutmeg:  enjoy in small doses, avoid in high doses! 

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, Nux moschata) was called the Golden East India nut, and as such even a small amount worth as much as gold. Wars were fought because of nutmeg spice, between Britain, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Some native Asian cultures used nutmeg as a healing spice to help with lack of appetite, IG issues and dizziness.

In general,  this traditional usage of nutmeg has continued to be used for the same issues.  Less is More; Use nutmeg with caution in cooking and backing, in high doses it is toxic. Only in small doses can we enjoy this special spice and in different ways.  Even in cocktails.  

Nutmeg flower (Myristica fragrans houtt.), Mace – the false flower 

Mace, also called the nutmeg flower, delivers a more elegant taste than the warmer taste of nutmeg.   Mace tastes like a mix of nutmeg, cloves and honey together; ideal for cookies.  The name nutmeg flower is perhaps incorrect as mace is not the flower of the nutmeg, rather the dried aril or lace covering of the actual nutmeg.  

Mace can be used and substitute nutmeg in the culinary recipe, especially when there is the need for a finer aroma. As with nutmeg, mace is antispasmodic and has a positive effect on the IG.  Again, less is more with this spice.  

Walnuts  

The Latin name of the true walnuts is Juglans regia and means the “Royal Fruit of Jupiter”.  The name alone is indicative that the nut has had traditionally a mythical role and the tree, because of its kingly look and rich fruits, has been connected to regality and fertility. 

Different parts of the tree, from its leaves, to the nut and even the nutshell have been found to be beneficial and are used in natural medicine.  There are recorded uses in treating headaches, rashes, inflammation of the lymph nodes and liver conditions.  

Aside from Juglans regia, the Juglans cinerea, or the gray walnuts, but more so the black walnut, Juglans nigra, are used in natural medicine, from treating parasites, gargle mixture or as a hair dye; as you can see, walnut usage is very varied.  

Cloves are handpicked flower buds of the clove tree, family Syzygium aromaticus, which can grow up to 20 m.  Clove has been used for antiseptic, bactericide, fungicide and virustatic (virus inhibiting).  The heavy and aromatic smell of clove is often associated with the dentist visit. The essential oil of clove has been used in oral medicine and for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and upper GI.  

Chewing on a clove can help to repel bad taste in the mouth or help even bad breath or toothache.  Don’t try to avoid going to a dentist, though; if you have a toothache, have it checked before it gets worse.  Caution is necessary with clove, as it is one of the heavy aromatic spices. 

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), The Queen of spices  

Vanilla is not a bean, but actually derived from the pod of the vanilla orchids.  The flowers need to be hand pollinated in a very difficult manual process, and the plants are very rare.  Hence, the high price for the vanilla beans and it’s rarity. After the pods are harvested and fermented in a long and difficult process of blanching and sun drying, the ripening phase can start. Vanilla has not received that much attention as a healing plant other than to help with uplifting the mood and calming. 

If you are using vanilla pods in your kitchen, don’t throw out the scrapped pods.  Put them in a jar and fill it with sugar.  You will have a very aromatic vanillin sugar to use for your coffee and tea.  

Oat-Cinnamon Christmas Cookie 

For the dough: mix 50g room temperature butter, 40g honey, 7 tablespoon (TS)milk, 1 egg and 4 TS vanillin sugar in a bowl.  Mix separately:125g oat flakes, 165 milk, 35g raw sugar (or substitute with monk fruit), 1.5 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon, a bit of nutmeg, 100g ground walnuts and 100g dried organic apricot cut in small pieces. Mix the dry mixture with the first, place small portions on a cookie sheet (use parchment paper if necessary) and back at 190°C for ca. 15 min.  Leave them to cool down before enjoying. 

Have a great time baking Christmas cookies!

Disclaimer