Bamboo helps fight baldness

Those suffering from hair loss and baldness may try bamboo root ash and jasmine oil. Take the bamboo root, wash it with water, dry it and obtain it's ash by burning it. Take a small quantity of bamboo root ash and mix it with a tablespoon of jasmine flower oil.Gently rub it against the scalp. This promotes hair growth and prevents hair fall.

Spritzy Buzz

Mix equal parts of ready made ginger-lemon syrup with sandalwood syrup, then add to your regular gin and tonic with lots of ice. Works without the alcohol too but with the juniper berry booze it's amazing!

Check an egg's freshness

Fresh eggs are key to a good recipe. Remember, fresh eggs sink to the bottom of a cup of water, older ones will float. Always break each egg in a separate bowl before adding to a mix. That way, if one's gone bad, wou won't spoil your entire preparation.

Sugar Syrup

Tired of struggling to get the consistency of your sugar syrup right? Don't fret, here is the idea.

• The sugar and water ratio should be 1:1. This will ensure that the consistency of the syrup is thick.
• Bring water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan ove medium heat. Cook until the water boils and the sugar is dissolved. Stir occasionally. Remember the longer you boil it, the thicker the syrup will be when cooled.
• You can put a couple of lemon wedges in the sugar syrup so that if any dust particles fall into the syrup, while boiling it, it will collect over the surface, and you can scoop it out with a spoon.
• After boiling, strain the syrup and remove the lemon wedges.Let the syrup cool down to room temperature and then pour into a clean glass jar which is tightly sealed. Store in the refrigerator.

DC

Garlic tip

• To peel garlic easily, microwave it for a minute, the skin will peel off without any trouble.
• Another solution is to soak the cloves in a bowl of water for two minutes and then peel. if you don't want the garlic to stick to the knife as you chop, sprinkle a clove with a dash of salt before mincing.

Seafood Freshness

• Colour and smell are only two indications of freshness. The skin of fresh fish should also be taut and glossy. Fish that is off-white to brown in colour or that has a milky or dull film is not fresh.
• Buying whole fish? The eyes should be bright and black, not sunken. The gills should be red and free os slime.
• Do not buy frozen seafood items that are not solidly frozen or that have freezer burns or icy white discolouration.

When buying coffee.

• Old coffee has little or no aroma, and it will have an unpleasant or bland taste. Contrary to common advice, storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer is not a great idea. It's best stored in an airtight container in a dark cool place.

Can I store baking powder in the freezer?

• Freezing will not affect the shelf life of baking soda but exposure to humidity and air will. Baking soda will keep about 12-18 months if stored on a shelf in its original box. It will keep much longer -almost-indefinitely- if sealed in a container that keeps out moisture and air. To determine whether it is still active, sprinkle a pinch into a small amount of vinegar. It should bubble vigorously.

Bread Tips:

Fresh bread should be soft. Squeeze it to find out. There's nothing wrong, though, with day old bread, if you are using the bread immediately or for cooking. Many wheat breads contain only a small portion of wheat. For true wheat bread, look for those labelled "whole wheat" that list wheat as the first or second ingredient. "Hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" fats extend bread's shelf life but can be unhealthy for your heart.