Fire cider

Fire cider is a flavored vinegar made by infusing apple cider vinegar with onions, garlic and horseradish. Sometimes citrus, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, honey and hot peppers are also added. It is steeped for weeks and used once it becomes tangy and hot. This flavored vinegar is commonly used as a home remedy, purported to boost digestion and improve immune system function, among other things. There is criticism from nutritionists, however, regarding a lack of scientific evidence to support these claims.

Controversy

In 2012 a Massachusetts company called Shire City Herbals trademarked the name Fire Cider and started selling it. However, Dana St. Pierre also claim to have trademarked it. A number of herbalists say that they have been using the term Fire Cider since 1980s. An October 2019 ruling established that ‘Fire Cider’ is a generic term and cannot be trademarked in the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 Greenberg, Zoe (2019-03-16). "The Battle for the One, True 'Fire Cider'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  2. ↑ Jenkins, Lori. "Kitchen Witch: Fire cider, a basic staple in herbal medicine". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  3. ↑ Boyles, Margaret. "How to Make Fire Cider to Boost Health". almanac.com. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Fire Cider: What Is It? And Can It Prevent Illness?". health.clevelandclinic.org. Retrieved 10 September 2026.
  5. ↑ Stephens, Kay (5 November 2019). "Union herbalist wins long-awaited trademark suit in preserving the generic term 'Fire Cider'". Penbay Pilot. Maine-OK Enterprises. Retrieved 29 December 2020.