Ginseng not only gives our coffee an exquisite taste, it also has a variety of health benefits. But what exactly is ginseng?
Panax ginseng is a plant whose root is commonly known as Chinese or Korean ginseng. Koreans have already been using naturally grown ginseng as a medicine for many centuries. Also in China the healing power of Ginseng has been known for ages. However, it was not until the 18th century that ginseng began to appear in the West and that people there began to recognise and research its benefits.
Wild Panax Ginseng
The wild Panax ginseng grows in the Far East in countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Russia. It grows in shadowy parts of forests in moist and humus-rich soil. The cultivation of the root is time-consuming and requires a lot of expertise. Only after the ginseng root has grown for at least three years can it be harvested. For our coffees we only use ginseng of the best quality. The longer the ginseng root grows, the better its quality.
Ginseng contains a large number of bioactive components that have health-promoting effects. The main medicinal constituents are triterpene saponins, better known as ginsenosides.
According to traditional Asian medicine, Panax Ginseng has special properties that help promote youthfulness, improve blood circulation and blood pressure, energise the body, activate the immune system and stimulate the mind.