The Spice Guide You Need

August 4, 2021
by Katherine Sousa Eat

    Ever think your adding a little paprika to your soup to be surprised when it actually turns out to be cayenne? Or wonder what spice pairs with what flavours? We’ve got the spice guide you need for your next cooking adventure.

    hellofresh spice guide

    A Guide to Your Spice Cupboard

    Allspice

    Despite what the name suggests, allspice is a single spice made from dried berries of the allspice tree which look like peppercorns. Native to Jamaica, it’s one of the main ingredients in jerk seasoning. Allspice has a sweet flavour and pairs well with meats, pumpkin, ginger, and squash.

    Cardamom

    This sweet and pungent spice is made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family. Widely used in Indian cuisine, cardamom pairs well with chicken, coffee, rice, lamb, and tea.

    Cayenne Pepper

    Made from dried and ground red chili peppers, cayenne pepper adds a sweet heat to soups, braises, and spice mixes. It pairs well with bell peppers, tomatoes and fish.

    Cinnamon

    A spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species, it’s used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of dishes. It pairs well with apples, chocolate, lamb, garam marsala, coffee, and pork.

    Cloves

    Made from the flower buds of the clove tree, cloves can be used whole or ground, and have a strong, pungent, and sweet flavour. It pairs well with apples, chocolate, ginger, ham, pork, and orange.

    Coriander

    A spice produced from the seeds of the coriander plant, whose leaves are often called cilantro. Coriander pairs well with chicken, chile peppers, citrus, cumin, and lentils.

    Cumin

    Cumin is a spice made from the dried seed of a plant known in the parsley family. It’s is one of the most popular spices in many different cuisines. Pairs well with beans, lentils, eggplant, pork, potatoes and rice.

    Garlic Powder

    A seasoning that’s made from dehydrated garlic and used in many different cuisines for a softer garlic flavour. It pairs well with chicken, lemon, lamb, olive oil, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

    spice guide

    Ginger Powder

    The powder is made from dried, dehydrated ginger root. It pairs well with apples, chicken, chocolate, cumin, fish, honey, lime, and mint.

    Nutmeg

    The spice is made by grinding the seed of the nutmeg tree into powder. Sweet and pungent, nutmeg is used in many baked goods and desserts. It pairs well with ricotta, cream, cinnamon, eggnog, ginger, mushrooms, spinach, and rice.

    Paprika

    The spice is air-dried sweet peppers ground into a fine powder — perfect for adding a sweet note and red colour to your dishes. It can be found in sweet and hot varieties, and pairs well with chicken, beef, eggs, fish, and pork.

    Peppercorn

    Comes in a variety of colours, pepper is both pungent and mildly hot. Ideal pairings depend on the variety of peppercorn.

    Saffron

    The aromatic spice has a subtle but distinct floral flavour, smell, and gives foods a bright yellow colour. It pairs well with cardamom, couscous, fish, fennel, rice, risotto, and shellfish.

    Smoked Paprika

    Made from peppers that are smoked and dried over fires, it adds a sweet smokiness to dishes, as well as a red colour. It pairs well with beans, chickpeas, garlic, fish, and potatoes.

    Star Anise

    Named for the star-shaped pods, whole star anise can be used to add a sweet licorice flavour to your recipes. Star anise is a key ingredient in Chinese cooking; it’s one of the main flavours in Chinese five-spice powder. It pairs well with fish, duck, pork, and pears.

    Turmeric

    A spice that comes from the turmeric plant, commonly used many Asian cuisines. It has a warm, bittersweet taste and pairs well with curry powder. fish, mustard and rice.

     

    Put your spice knowledge to good use with 5 easy recipes you can make with pantry ingredients. Whether it’s a dinner recipe for two or the whole family, skip a trip to the grocery store and cook a great meal without ever leaving your kitchen.

     

    Previous post
    Three ways to reinvent the caprese salad Three ways to reinvent the caprese salad
    Next post
    Say hello to our NEW lunch add-ons Say hello to our NEW lunch add-ons

    Related posts