Whats in spice?
Spice. A word with many meanings, from herbs and seasonings to the illicit substances some folks smoke for a good time.
But today, we’re talking about spice as it applies to cooking – those little vials of powders and leaves that make everything taste better. Whether you’re a five-star chef or just trying to add some pizzazz to your PB&J sandwich, you’ve probably wondered at some point: what exactly is in these spices?
Well, wonder no more! We’ve done the spicy research so you don’t have to.
The Basics
Before we dive into individual spices and their respective ingredients, let’s go over some general things you should know:
How are Spices Made?
Spices come from all sorts of plant parts – seeds (mustard), fruits (peppercorn), bark (cinnamon) – even roots (ginger). Generally speaking, once harvested they are dried or otherwise treated before being ground up into the form we see on our store shelves.
Some forms of spices might be ground right after harvesting while others require additional processing like roasting or soaking. This extra treatment can enhance flavor profiles but also increase costs significantly!
Spice Labels Deconstructed
You may have seen labels reading ‘100% Pure’ plastered across spice packaging. It sounds good right? But actually this kind of labelling does not follow any regulatory control process which means there’s no guarantee on its accuracy!
When purchasing spice products look for certifications such as USDA Organic.
Also note synthetic vs natural flavours; synthetics are made in larger quantities cheaper than organics.
Word Up
As food industry continues to innovate new buzzwords arise everywhere- adding further confusion among everyday shoppers:
Natural: Must contain ingrediants produced by nature,Organic: Can only be synthesized using certain organic methods, Non GMO: Free off any genetic modificationLocally sourced: the ingrediants could be coming from anywhere as ‘local’ does not possess a clear definition- watch out for crafty marketing strategies!
A (not so) Comprehensive List
Time to get into specifics: Here’s what you can expect to see on spice labels and in your food.
Allspice
This one gets its name because it kinda smells like a bunch of other spices all rolled up into one. Who needs cinnamon or nutmeg when you’ve got allspice?
Main Spices
Allspice
Anise Seed
True licorice fans will recognize the smell right away – anise seed tastes similar, with a hint of sweetness thrown in. It’s often used in baking, especially around Christmas.
Main Spices
Anise seed
Cardamom
A staple flavoring for chai tea, cardamom is also popular in Indian cuisine. These little pods pack a punch!
Main Spices
Cardamom
Cayenne Pepper
You don’t want to mess around with cayenne pepper if spicy isn’t your thing – this stuff brings the heat! But when used sparingly it adds just the right kick to chili or salsa.
Main Ingredients:
Cayenne pepper
Cinnamon
Don’t tell pumpkin spice, but we think cinnamon might be our fave fall flavor. From baked goods to coffee drinks – this stuff never goes out of style!
Main Spices:
Cinnamon
Cloves
When most folks hear “cloves,” they probably imagine sticking them inside an orange at Christmastime…but did you know that cloves are great for savory dishes too? Try using them in marinades next time you’re grilling chicken.
Main Ingredients:
Whole Cloves ground
### Coriander
Similar looking green herb stems where both leaves and seeds are edible. However ground corinder seed is more common than fresh leaves in cooking.
Main Ingredients:
Coriander
Cumin
This spice has a distinctive flavor that some might describe as “earthy” or even “smoky.” Try using it to add depth to soups and other dishes.
Main Ingredients
Cumin
And There’s More!
We won’t bore you with the exhaustive list of every spice under the sun, but here are few additional standouts:
- Ginger (great for everything from tea to stir fries)
- Nutmeg (adds warmth to baked goods)
- Mustard Seed (essential in making – you guessed it – mustard!)
- Turmeric: Hailed by health nuts world wide often found in Indian cuisine.
So there ya have it! Even if you don’t plan on making your own seasoning blends anytime soon, it’s nice knowing what actually goes into those little shakers sitting on your pantry shelf. Now go forth and spice up your life!
Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!
Random Posts
- Decoding Screen Printing: Which File Format is Perfect?
- Indecisive Hearts: How Can I Choose Between Two Guys?
- Can you break a rib from coughing a lot?
- What Episode Does Callie Get In A Car Crash?
- Is papaya good?
- Does coffee give you gastritis?
- What Should I Eat To Lower Triglycerides?
- How many grams of sugar diabetic have?
- Which part of stomach produces acid?
- What is mild paranoia?
- Energize Your Afternoon with These Boosting Tips
- What is a heavy punching bag filled with?