Coriander is made from the dried seeds of cilantro and its native regions span from southern Europe and northern Africa to southwestern Asia. The exact region from which this spice originates has not been pin-pointed and it is currently grown in many places all over the world. The culinary use of this spice dates back […]
Chipotle Powder: The Signature Spice of Mexican Cuisine
Chipotle peppers are not an individual species of pepper, but rather jalapeño peppers that have been smoked whole over a wood fire for several days. This process removes all of the moisture from the pepper while lending a unique, smoky flavor. For the home kitchen, chipotle powder makes a great addition to your spice rack. […]
Too Much Pepper? These Simple Tricks Can Save Your Dish
Every cook has had the misfortune of adding too much black pepper to a dish at one time or another. After all the time and effort spent in the kitchen working hard to make that perfect dish, all of your efforts feel as though they’ve gone right down the drain in an instant. Whether you’ve […]
Mojo Seasoning: A Charm Of A Spice
Mojo originated in the Canary Islands and is actual a spice blend created by combining several different spices to create a unique flavor. Over time, Canary Island mojo has been adopted by many other cultures, each varying the mixture of spices it contains their own regional flavor influences. Mojo Seasoning Flavor Profile Most commonly, Canary […]
Spice Rack Fact vs. Fiction: Do Spices Go Bad?
Herbs and spices are the essential ingredients that add flavor, life and personality to every dish you cook. In order to make the most of your spices, they must be fresh. When you have a fully stocked spice rack and a variety of spices that you use only in small amounts for certain dishes, it’s […]
Lemongrass: The World’s Most Flavorful & Beneficial Grass
Lemongrass is a variety of tropical island plant in the grass family. It is closely related to citronella, a well-known component of insect-repelling candles and oils. Native to Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Burma, lemongrass has become so popular worldwide that it is now cultivated in a wide variety of locales including the United States. […]
Cayenne Pepper: Spice Rack Sizzle
Origin of Cayenne Pepper Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a specific type of chili pepper popular for both its spiciness and its multitude of health benefits. This pepper originated in French Guiana off the northeast coast of South America. A member of the nightshade family and cousin to bell peppers, paprika and jalapeños, cayenne peppers […]
Sage: The Essential Old World Herb
There are more than 900 species of sage, only a handful of which are used in cooking. This member of the mint family is native to the Mediterranean. More than half of the world’s sage supply today is harvested from Croatia, Albania and Montenegro. It’s also cultivated in Bosnia, Serbia and the United States. Culinary […]
Rosemary: The Herb Of Remembrance
Origin of Rosemary Rosemary is a perennial herb and a member of the mint family. It is incredibly fragrant, with needle-like leaves (much like an evergreen) and flowers that may be white, pink, blue, or purple. This herb is native to the Mediterranean. Today, however, it is primarily grown commercially in Spain. It’s also widely […]
Cumin: Essential Spice Of The Ancients
Cumin is a spice that has been used for thousands of years, woven into the culture of many countries throughout the world. Originally cultivated in Iran and the Mediterranean region, this spice was first introduced to the Americas by Portuguese and Spanish colonists. Plants today are typically grown in China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Iran, Tajikistan, Syria, […]