Ever since US soldiers returned from World War II with a special affinity for what they referred to as “the pizza herb”, oregano has been a staple on spice racks across America. In other countries, oregano has been an important culinary and medicinal herb for centuries. Oregano is a member …
Garam Masala is a complex blend of many spices that originated in Northern India. While it was first used during the cold winters to help warm all those who enjoyed it, it quickly gained popular and is now a staple of traditional Indian cuisine. Translated, Garam Masala means “hot spices”. …
Herbes de Provence (or “Herbs of Provence”) is a mixture consisting of common herbs native to the Provence region in southeast France.
As French cuisine gained popularity in the U.S. and abroad during the 1970’s, commercial herb blends bearing the name “Herbes de Provence” began to become available. However, these mixtures typically come from North Africa, China, and Central and eastern Europe—not from France.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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, …