My family has been going to the same nail spa for years and so we’ve gotten to be good friends with the Asian women behind the operation.  This friendship has major perks as these ladies are excellent cooks and always making us food for special occasions, or no occasion at all.  It is not uncommon to get a phone call from them saying (in their very thick accents), “Jenny, you come down.  We have fresh kimchee.”  And off I go. 

Their timing with today’s batch couldn’t have been better as I have been fighting off a cold for the past week.  And there is nothing like some fresh kimchee to kick the crap outta any virus!  How, you ask?  Well, here’s an expert from a previous column of mine (New Canaan News Review & Darien Times) explaining…

Health Magazine rated kimchee as one of the top 5 healthiest foods in the world, stating that it’s a rich source of vitamins, aids digestion, and has cancer fighting properties.  The two main ingredients in kimchee are cabbage and chili peppers.  Cabbage, a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, is an excellent source of sulfur which has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, is warming and purifies the blood.  It significantly improves the body’s antioxidant defenses as well as detoxification processes.  Cabbage is also loaded with anticancer compounds, Vitamin C and E as well as a fair amount of calcium.  Raw cabbage improves digestion, detoxifies the stomach, cleanses the intestines, and facilitates elimination. 

Chili peppers are a rich source of antioxidants including Vitamins A and C, and carotenoids like beta carotene and capsaicin.  We’ve all heard of beta carotene and know it well as a powerful immune supportive antioxidant.  Capsaicin is what gives peppers their heat.  But it also helps clear up excess mucus and congestion.  It contains anti-inflammatory properties, improves digestion, and aids in weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate.

These ingredients alone would be a healthy addition to any diet, but the fermentation process that takes place when making kimchee should not be overlooked as it also has important health benefits.  During the fermentation process, good bacteria proliferate and eventually kill off any bad bacteria.  Consuming these little critters (the same ones you eat with your yogurt) helps promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which aids digestion and supports a healthy immune system.

If you aren’t blessed with Asian friends who readily make this stuff available, then head down to your local Asian market, or even the grocery store, and get yourself some, stat!!!