Page 5 - Monthly Archives: February 2026

Close-up of glossy char siu (Chinese barbecued pork) sliced into thick pieces, showing a juicy interior with a deep red caramelised glaze on the outside.

Five-spice powder: what is it and what do you make with it?

Five-spice powder, also known as 5 spices or Chinese five-spice powder, is a spice blend widely used in Asian cuisine. You see this blend appear in many primarily Chinese dishes, and it gives that characteristic Chinese flavor to many dishes from the region. In Chinese cooking, five-spice powder is used in a wide variety of dishes. Marinades, rice dishes, sauces, and even savory desserts — in China they use five-spice powder for those. But what exactly is five-spice powder? And how can you use it in the kitchen? In this blog we’ll gladly help you get started. Read on?

What is five-spice powder?

To begin, it’s good to know exactly what five-spice powder is and what it consists of. As the name might suggest, the spice mix consists of five spices. The composition can vary by region in China, but typically it contains the following five spices:

The combination of these five spices creates a good balance between the five basic tastes of

Asian cuisine & Korean food trends

Close-up of roasted cauliflower florets seasoned generously with cumin and turmeric, golden and slightly crispy on the edges, arranged on a light ceramic baking tray.

Salt Swap: How to replace salt with herbs without losing flavor

Why More and More People Cook Low-Salt

More and more people are consciously choosing low-salt cooking. Sometimes because it is medically necessary, for example with high blood pressure or cardiovascular issues. Sometimes simply because they want to eat healthier and reduce their sodium intake. But one question always comes up: how do you replace salt without your food becoming bland?

Salt adds flavor. That's what we've all been taught. Still, the secret of a successful salt swap is not less flavor, but different flavor. By replacing salt with herbs, spices, acidity and natural umami you build depth and complexity without adding extra sodium.

With the right combination of herbs — or a well-composed salt-free herb blend — you can even make dishes more intense and interesting than before. Low-salt eating then becomes not a limitation, but an opportunity to cook more creatively.

What Does Salt Actually Do to Flavor?

To replace salt well, you first have to understand what it does. Salt:

Enhances

Sugar-free and low-salt solutions

roasted veg such as aubergine, courgette and paprika, lightly marinated with za'atar mixed with a bit of olive oil on a beautiful arranged on a ceramic platter,

Za’atar: what is it exactly and which dishes do you make with it?

Za’atar is a spice blend that is indispensable in the Middle East. If you've ever looked up a recipe from Arab cuisine, you have undoubtedly come across za’atar. And it's logical that this spice blend is so popular in the Middle East, because you can use it in a huge variety of dishes. Za’atar is both savory and pleasantly fresh, which is why you can use it in many dishes to give them that extra boost they need.

In this blog we would like to take you into the world of za’atar. There are so many directions you can go with it, and therefore we would like to show you a number of delicious options. All so you can dive back into the kitchen full of inspiration and motivation. By applying this powerful spice blend well you can put a wonderful dish on the table to truly surprise your friends and family.

First we'll tell you exactly what za’atar is and what it's made of. Then we'll take you through a number of dishes in which za’atar plays the leading role or is a delightful addition. Will

Modern Midden-Oosters gerecht geserveerd in een grote schaal op een koelgetinte, lichtgekleurde stenen ondergrond. Het hoofdgerecht is een kleurrijke een mezze-achtige schaal met geroosterde groenten, verse kruiden en gerooste

Ramadan: What you may and may not eat

WHAT CAN YOU EAT DURING RAMADAN? THE MOST DELICIOUS INGREDIENTS AND SPICES FOR IFTAR

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims around the world. It is a time of reflection, self-discipline and charity. During this month you fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from food and drink. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered a way to draw closer to God and purify the spirit. The fast during Ramadan is broken with the iftar meal at sunset. This meal is often a festive occasion where friends and family gather to eat and pray. In this article we address the question: what are you actually allowed and not allowed to eat during Ramadan? And which spices can you use to give the iftar meals extra flavor?

What can you eat during Ramadan? And what not?

During Ramadan, Muslims may not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. This applies to all kinds of food and drink, including water. There are exceptions for people who cannot fast for medical reasons, pregnant women and

2 kleine schaaltjes op een tafel. het ene schaaltje is gevuld met hele zwarte peper. de andere met witte peperkorrels

Black pepper, what exactly is it and is it healthy?

The black pepper plant is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae. It is cultivated for its fruit which is usually dried and used as a flavoring and spice. A well-known example is black pepper sauce, which is often served with tasty meat dishes. This fruit is known as a peppercorn when dried. It is about 5 millimeters in diameter. It has a dark red color when fully ripe. Pepper powder that you often use for seasonings is made by grinding dried pepper. Dried ground pepper is one of the most common spices used in European cuisine. The pungency depends on the cultivar and processing methods. What is the difference between white and black pepper? Is black pepper healthy? What are the downsides of black pepper? And how do you use turmeric with black pepper? Read on to find out!

The difference between white and black pepper

You will often find white pepper and black pepper as seasonings in certain dishes. You may wonder what is the difference between white and black pepper. In

2 handen, op de ene hand liggen cayenne pepers, op de andere gedroogde chillipepers

Cayenne pepper: what is it and why is it so good for you?

Peppers come in all shapes and sizes. In an earlier blog we discussed the chipotle pepper, but of course there are many more peppers that deserve attention. The peppers that probably come to mind first are black pepper, chili pepper and cayenne pepper. And it's the latter, cayenne pepper, that we want to talk to you about today. Although you see cayenne pepper used in many recipes, for many people it is still unclear exactly what cayenne pepper is and what the differences are between cayenne pepper and chili pepper. You may also have heard that adding cayenne pepper to your diet can be very good for your health. But in what way exactly? And how can you incorporate cayenne pepper into your dishes?

The answers to all these questions we will give you in this blog. After reading this blog you will know what cayenne pepper is and what exactly the difference is between cayenne pepper and chili pepper. You will also soon know why it can be useful to add extra cayenne pepper to your dishes

a closeup of bread in a mould just before it goes into the oven, modern kitchen, light bright space, oven in the background

Wheat flour: how to bake your first loaf yourself? Success guaranteed

Baking your own bread may sound complicated, but with a few basic ingredients and some patience you can get surprisingly far. In this blog we take you step by step: from weighing flour and water to kneading, proofing and baking a light loaf with a beautiful golden-brown crust.

You don't need a professional bakery – just an oven, a mixer with dough hooks and a little attention to the process. We not only explain what you need to do, but also why you do it. That way you understand what happens during kneading (gluten formation), why proofing is so important and how to prevent your bread from sticking to the pan.

Whether this is your very first loaf or a new attempt after a less successful result: with this foundation you’ll learn how to bake a sturdy, airy and flavorful loaf at home.

Gather everything you need:

Let’s check if you have everything:

oven
oven gloves or two towels
mixer with dough hooks
mixing bowl
scale
oil, any kind (but not motor oil)
optional and handy: a rolling pin

What

A small bowl of cottage cheese, small bottle of milk and small bowls with different spices (ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) placed next to the cottage cheese on a simple light wood tray on a white-washed kitchen table.

The Secret to Silky Protein: Why We’re Putting Cottage Cheese in Our Blenders

At Natural Spices, our mission is simple: we want to make a healthier way of eating easier and more accessible for everyone. We know that life is busy, and "healthy" can sometimes feel like a chore. That’s why we focus on clever ingredient swaps and the transformative power of high-quality spices to turn a quick snack into a nutritional powerhouse.

Our latest obsession? Cottage cheese. Before you pull a face—hear us out! When blended, cottage cheese loses its texture and becomes a velvet-smooth, protein-rich base that rivals any expensive Greek yoghurt. It’s affordable, accessible, and the perfect canvas for our signature spice blends.

Who Are These Smoothies For?

At Natural Spices, we believe functional nutrition should be for everyone. These recipes are particularly brilliant for busy professionals needing sustained energy without the mid-morning sugar crash, as the slow-releasing casein protein in cottage cheese keeps you fuller for longer. Fitness enthusiasts will find them an ideal

Recipes

429 Too Many Requests