Spices

Although celery seed is small, there may be times that you'll want to grind it into powder. Perhaps you're making a very rich, creamy soup, and you don't want the texture of the celery seeds...

Do not think of mint leaves as only for a garnish or decoration. These bright green leaves add a refreshing flavor to desserts, entrees and sides. While you may know of peppermint and spearmint,...

It is easy to blend a salt substitute that adds flavor to foods while helping you maintain a low-sodium diet. Seasoning meats and vegetables with an herb-and-spice blend, using favorite...

Most spices sold at grocery stores are ground powders contained in small jars. Since they are mass-produced, you never know how potent the spice powder will be, plus lower-priced brands may...

Rosemary is a strong herb and needs to be used sparingly so that it will enhance rather than overpower certain dishes. Rosemary works well with foods that are relatively bland or need a slight,...

One of our oldest cultivated plants, fenugreek was used by the ancient Egyptians as a medicinal and grown by the Romans for cattle fodder. Today, fenugreek may not regularly grace the spice rack...

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant that is native to Paraguay, but which can now be found in many other countries. It is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., and has the limited backing of the Food...

Ground ginger and fresh ginger are used very differently in cooking. The ground version of this warming spice is typically used in baking for spicing up cookies, breads and cakes. It's...

Many holiday dessert recipes call for a spice mixture known as Pumpkin Pie Spice. This is simply a mixture of several common spices that you can substitute from your own spice collection, saving...

Who can resist the smell of pumpkin and spice drifting through the air? Your whole home will smell delicious as this pie cooks for your holiday entertaining. This southern recipe is rich and...

Turmeric can be used to find out if a liquid or solution is acidic or alkaline (basic). Acidity and alkalinity are measured using a logarithmic scale referred to as pH. To test pH, turmeric is...

Sea salt is harvested directly from the sea through natural evaporation, and undergoes less processing than traditional salt. Pure, unrefined sea salt can also contain trace minerals such as...

Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor of anything you make whether it's fresh tea, dinner, baked goods or even flavored oils. If you grow your own fresh herbs and can't use them all at once, you can...

There are a hundred or more ways to season a chicken. Some people like their chicken to be spicy, sweet, or sometimes salty. I found this blend of seasonings to be the most flavorful and perfect...

Off the coasts of France and Portugal, in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Celtic sea salt is prepared for harvest on literal salt farms by traditional salt farmers, called paludiers. The salt...

"Since 1976, Celtic Sea Salt® Brand salt has been harvested by the salt farmers of Brittany using a farming method that preserves the purity and balance of ocean minerals." -- according to...

Fennel seeds are a common staple in many recipes, particularly in Chinese and Indian cuisine. These days, they're also common additions to the household spice rack. While sometimes enjoyed whole...

How to make a mean curry..starting from scratch??? ..ppfffttt.. unless you are of indian heritage and know all the in's and out's...it can be difficult..Take a short- cut and compose a curry that...

Orange flower water is an ingredient for many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes and is also used by bakers for cakes and scones. While most recipes don't call for more than a tablespoon of...

Celery salt is a specialty condiment whose composition is surprisingly simple. Only the mixing of salt and ground celery seed are required to make your own celery salt, though the best mixture for...

If you like to flavor your cooking with herbs and spices then you already know how expensive they can be. This idea might help you save money on them. Especially if you don't want to grow and...

Harvesting generally occurs between May and August. During harvest, layers of bark are removed from the Cinnamomum aromaticum tree by a peeler. Peelers use a rasp knife to remove knots from the...

It is relatively easy to make orange flavored oil, considering that the only basic ingredients you'll need are fresh orange peels and "grain alcohol' ... and a little practice on your part to...

Salt (sodium chloride) was so highly prized at one time in history that it was used as wages to pay Roman Soldiers. Also, salt’s preservative property has been known and revered since antiquity....

Vanilla beans are gathered from the vanilla orchid. Vanilla orchids only produce beans when blooms are produced. This process does not occur until the orchid reaches maturity at three to five...

Growing your own stevia plant gives you access to an all-natural alternative to sugar. Stevia leaf is sweeter than sugar, so you need much less in recipes. You can use the leaves of a stevia plant...

Herbal sugars are festive and can add a delightful taste to teas, cookies or other sugar-sweetened foods and drinks. You can use either fresh or dried herbs, depending on your access to them, and...

Ketchup is America's most popular condiment for good reason. It contains all five elements of taste in one delicious bite: salty, sweet, bitter, sour and umami, known as the fifth taste, meaning...

The name sour salt is a misnomer since it's not salt at all, but citric acid. This acid is extracted from oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits, then dried and crushed into a powder. Cooks...

There is no set of instructions for buying spices aside from "go into the store and buy spices." That being said, there are a number of guidelines to ensure that you spend your money well and that...

Every one know that a bowl of Chili red beans are good, and very hot, Ok now with Chicken and Corn and plenty Cilantro for those Cold days of New York, is good.

Salt cellars are a traditional kitchen accoutrement, but with the prevalence of salt shakers they fell out of favor for a while. But now, salt cellars are making a comeback and are perfect for any...

Fresh herbs give your food more flavor than dried. For best results, use the herbs shortly after picking as they do not keep their flavor for long unless dried. The drying process pulls water out...

Cinnamon bark is harvested from the "cinnamomum zeylanicum" tree, native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon trees can grow up to 60 feet high, though trees for commercial use are usually trimmed to a smaller...

Basil is a popular, versatile herb. It bears broad, oval leaves and comes in a variety of greens. It is used in both savory and sweet recipes and is relatively easy to grow. The trick to growing...

Fine herbs, or fines herbes, is a classic mixture of herbs used in all types of dishes. Although it has its roots in French cuisine, it is a culinary staple in many Mediterranean cultures as well.

Stevia is a non-caloric herb that is a member of the Chrysanthemum family that grows wild as a small shrub. It has been used by native populations for centuries and is rapidly growing in...

Splenda and Stevia are brands of artificial sweeteners. Diabetics and others who are trying to cut back on their sugar intake often use one of the two in their drinks, baking, and other food items.

Herbs are common in many varieties today. With increased shipping efficiency and the modern "supermarket" mentality, herbs never previously available can now be bought in stores across America.

Throughout the world there are different types of salts used by many diverse cultures to produce various flavors. Gray salt, also spelled "grey" salt, is one of these many culinary salts.

Dried lavender can accent a dish with a floral scent reminiscent of perfume. Lavender adapts well to both sweet and savory dishes, but use caution when adding it, especially in dried form--it can...

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is actually not a root, but a rhizome, or underground stem. The rhizome is the part that can be eaten, used in food or teas, dried and ground to create powdered...

Herbs and spices enhance the flavor of other ingredients. They are often used in time-honored combinations which evoke traditional and familiar flavors, and you can also combine them in novel,...

Would you like to add a power packed nutritional punch to your cooking? Using herbs and spices is not only very tasty, but it is also a very smart thing to do. Discover why you should include the...

Salt crystals provide many modern day uses and health benefits, from food flavoring to food preservation, and even cleansing the air and the airways. Salt crystals, used for these purposes are...

Wanting to enhance the flavor of your grilled foods with wood chips, but deciding which wood chips to buy for your grill can be overwhelming. Some of the good ones are alder, hickory and...

While sage may not be a difficult herb to find in the grocery store, not having it in the kitchen once a meal is underway can be a setback. Several substitutes can provide a similar seasoning to...

Household sugar is often made from sugar cane, but this is not the only source of sugar. When making sugar at home, it is more sensible to extract it from sugar beets, since these are easier to...

Summer savory spice, made from the leaves of the summer savory herb, is commonly used in recipes that call for thyme and sage. Add a new seasoning to your kitchen arsenal by exploring the unique,...

Salt grinders and mills are used for several types of salt, from coarse sea salt to kosher salt. The grinder and mill, while producing much the same result, are slightly different.