Monthly Archives: May 2026

Grilled tomatoes from the BBQ may be one of the most underrated barbecue dishes. By briefly grilling tomatoes they develop an intense, slightly sweet flavor with a delicious roasted edge.

Combine that with herbs, garlic, olive oil or feta and you have a surprisingly flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with summer barbecue evenings.

Whether you choose a Mediterranean version with feta, a spicy BBQ rub or sticky tomatoes with BBQ sauce: grilled tomatoes are easy to make and go with almost anything. Serve them alongside grilled meat, fish, potatoes or simply with fresh bread to dip in the juices.

In this blog we share different variations for grilled tomatoes from the BBQ, including herb combinations, serving tips, and tips on which tomatoes to use.

Which tomatoes are best for the BBQ?

Not every tomato is equally suitable for the barbecue. Preferably choose firm tomatoes that keep their shape well during grilling.

Best types of tomatoes for the BBQ

• Roma tomatoes
• Vine tomatoes
• Beefsteak

Organic herbs are becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen. Not only because many people want to cook more consciously, but also because herbs are an easy way to add more flavor without extra salt, sugar or complicated ingredients.

From oregano on pizza to warm spices in curries and stews: organic herbs fit perfectly into daily use. Moreover, more and more consumers consciously choose herbs grown without synthetic pesticides and artificial fertilizers.

Are you curious what exactly organic herbs are and what the difference is with regular herbs? Then also read our blogs:

• “Organic or regular herbs: what's the difference?”
• “Are organic herbs healthier?”

In this blog we share the most popular organic herbs and organic herb mixes for everyday use.

Why choose organic herbs?

Many people choose organic herbs because they:

• want to cook consciously
• want to use fewer synthetic pesticides
• value sustainability
• love pure flavors and ingredients

Organic herbs are grown according to strict European

More and more people consciously choose organic food. But what about herbs and spices? Are organic herbs really healthier than regular herbs, or is it mainly a marketing term?

A logical question. You might use herbs in small amounts, but often daily. Think of herb mixes, tea, curries, marinades or oven dishes. In this blog we explain what organic herbs actually are, what the differences are with conventional herbs and why many people consciously choose organic.

Would you first like to know more about the difference between organic and regular herbs? Then also read our blog:
“Organic or regular herbs: what is the difference?”

What are organic herbs?

Organic herbs are grown according to strict European guidelines for organic farming. That means that synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers or chemical growth agents are not used during cultivation.

Organic farming focuses on:

• natural farming methods
• healthy soils
• biodiversity
• sustainable production

All organic herbs are inspected by

On hot days there is almost nothing nicer than a glass of ice-cold iced tea. But did you know you can very easily make iced tea yourself with herbs and spices? Not only does it add more flavor and variety, you also control how much sugar you add - or not.

With ingredients like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, hibiscus and mint you can create surprising combinations that are perfect for lunch, a BBQ or a summer afternoon in the garden.

In this blog we share 5 refreshing recipes for homemade iced tea with herbs and spices.

Why make iced tea yourself?

Many ready-made iced teas contain quite a bit of sugar and often very little real tea or herbs. Making iced tea yourself is not only simple, it also gives you much more control over flavor and composition.

In addition, herbs and spices give a natural flavor boost to your drink. Think of fresh mint, warming cinnamon or the citrusy taste of lemongrass.

Some herbs have also been used for centuries in hot drinks and herbal teas. Ginger and mint are,

Star anise is the most beautiful spice in any kitchen. Eight perfect points radiating from a single center — each a small seed pod of extraordinary complexity. It looks as if it should be hung on a wall rather than put in a pan — and yet, the moment it meets warm water, it fully earns its place. The aroma is deep, sweet and anise-warm, with an intensity that can fill a room within minutes.

Star anise has been central to Chinese medicine and cuisine for more than three thousand years. It is one of the five spices in Chinese five-spice powder, a cornerstone of Vietnamese pho, and — perhaps most notably — the original source of shikimic acid, the compound from which the antiviral drug Tamiflu was first synthesized. Today, science confirms what herbalists have always known: star anise is an exceptionally powerful spice.

What exactly is star anise?

Star anise (Illicium verum) is the fruit of a small evergreen tree native to southwestern China and northeastern Vietnam. The main active compounds

Cardamom is called the queen of spices — a title that refers to the exceptional complexity of its flavor and the breadth of its medicinal uses. Warm and fresh at the same time, floral with a light citrus note, aromatic in a way that is hard to describe but immediately recognizable. It is the spice that transforms ordinary tea into something special, gives a stew character, and elevates coffee to another category.

Cardamom has been used for more than four thousand years. It appears in Sanskrit texts from 4000 BCE. The ancient Egyptians chewed it for oral hygiene. Greeks and Romans imported it at great expense for perfume and medicines. Arab traders made it a cornerstone of their spice routes. Today cardamom sits in your kitchen cabinet — but its power has by no means disappeared.

What exactly is cardamom?

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an herbaceous perennial from the ginger family, native to the forests of South India and Sri Lanka. The pods — green, white, or black depending on

Cayenne pepper and chili powder are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two very different products. Both add heat to dishes, but they differ in flavor, composition and spiciness. In this blog we explain the difference between cayenne pepper and chili powder, when to use which, and how to best combine them in the kitchen.

Want to know more about cayenne pepper itself, its origin and why this spice is so popular in the kitchen? Also read our blog about cayenne pepper and its benefits.

What is cayenne pepper?

Cayenne pepper is a finely ground powder made from dried cayenne peppers. It is mainly known for its sharp, direct heat. The flavor is fairly pure: hot, slightly smoky and peppery, without many extra spice aromas.

Cayenne pepper is often used to give dishes more kick without completely changing the flavor. A small amount is usually enough.

You commonly see cayenne pepper in:

• chili con carne
• curries
• marinades
• spicy sauces
• Mexican dishes
• barbecue rubs

What is chili powder?

Deze krokante krieltjes uit de airfryer zijn een van de makkelijkste én lekkerste bijgerechten voor doordeweeks. De mini aardappeltjes worden goudbruin en krokant aan de buitenkant, terwijl ze van binnen zacht en romig blijven. Ideaal bij kip, vis, burgers, barbecuegerechten of gewoon met een frisse yoghurtdip.

Met een beetje olie en goede kruiden maak je in ongeveer 15 minuten heerlijke airfryer krieltjes zonder oven of frituurpan. Bovendien kun je eindeloos variëren met smaken, van knoflook en rozemarijn tot cajun of parmezaan.

Wat zijn krieltjes?

Krieltjes zijn kleine, jonge aardappelen die vroeg worden geoogst. Ze hebben meestal een dunne schil, een zachte structuur en een licht romige smaak. Omdat de schil zo dun is, hoef je krieltjes meestal niet te schillen. Even wassen is vaak al voldoende.

Je vindt krieltjes in verschillende varianten:

• voorgekookte krieltjes
• verse mini krieltjes
• gekruide krieltjes
• krieltjes met schil
• gekleurde krieltjesmixen

Vooral in de airfryer en oven zijn

Creamy feta dips are perfect as a party snack, BBQ side dish or quick spread for bread and wraps. From a spicy roasted pepper feta dip to a fresh avocado variation: with feta you can combine endlessly.

In this blog we share 3 easy feta dip recipes that can be on the table in a few minutes. Ideal for a summer gathering, barbecue or mezze platter.

Why feta dip is so popular

Feta dip has become hugely popular in recent years because it:

• is quick to make
• is full of flavor
• pairs perfectly with vegetables, bread and grilled dishes
• is easy to make ahead
• can be made either fresh or spicy

You can also easily create different flavor directions with herbs and spices.

1. Creamy Roasted Pepper Feta Dip

This roasted pepper feta dip has a slightly smoky flavor and is delicious with pita, nachos or grilled vegetables.

Ingredients

• 200 g feta
• 100 g Greek yogurt
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
• a drizzle of olive oil
• black pepper to taste

Method

1. Put the feta, yogurt and

Fennel is the herb of quiet strength. Mild, sweet and lightly anise-flavored — it doesn't draw attention like cinnamon or ginger, but when you need it, it's there. Parents reach for it with a crying baby with colic. Women with menstrual pain. People with bloating after a heavy meal. Fennel works quietly and reliably, and it has done so for thousands of years.

The ancient Egyptians used fennel as a digestive aid and protective herb. Greek physicians prescribed it to nursing mothers to stimulate milk production. Roman soldiers chewed fennel seed to suppress hunger on long marches. In the Middle Ages it was one of the nine holy herbs — hung above the door for protection. Today science confirms what herbalists have always known: fennel is an exceptionally versatile herb.

What exactly is fennel?

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a tall, feathery perennial from the carrot family, native to the Mediterranean. Every part of the plant is usable — the bulb, the stalks, the leaves and the seeds —