Allspice is one of those spices you might not use every day, but it instantly gives a dish more depth. Despite the name, allspice does not consist of multiple herbs: it is a single dried berry with a surprisingly complex flavor. In this guide you will read what allspice exactly is, how it tastes and how to use it in the kitchen.

What is allspice?

Allspice is the dried berry of the allspice tree (Pimenta dioica), which originally grows in the Caribbean and Central America. The spice is also internationally known as allspice, because the flavor is reminiscent of a combination of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and pepper.

The berries are harvested green and then dried, which gives them their characteristic brown color and rich aroma.

How does allspice taste?

Allspice has a warm, slightly sweet and spicy flavor with notes of:

• cinnamon
• clove
• nutmeg
• black pepper

It is precisely that combination that makes allspice suitable for both savory and sweet dishes.

What do you use allspice for?

Allspice

Curry is one of those spice mixes that immediately adds a lot of flavor to a dish. But besides the taste, many people wonder: is curry actually healthy? The short answer is yes. Most curry blends consist of a combination of herbs and spices that naturally contain few calories and are a source of plant-based compounds.

In this article you will read why curry can be a healthy choice and what to watch for when buying a spice mix.

What is curry?

Curry is not a single herb, but a mix of different spices. The exact composition varies per recipe, but ingredients such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger and black pepper often recur.

Want to know more about the origin and composition? Then also read our blog  'What is curry?'.

1. Curry contains few calories

A teaspoon of curry contains only a few calories, but does give a lot of flavor to a dish. Because of that you can often use less salt or fatty sauces without sacrificing taste.

2. Turmeric is often the main ingredient

Many curry blends

Curry is one of the most well-known spice blends in the world, yet there is a lot of confusion about it. Is it a spice? Is it the same as a curry (dish)? And which spices are actually in it? If you have ever eaten a creamy chicken curry, an aromatic lentil soup, or a spiced rice dish, you have probably already become familiar with the warm and aromatic flavor.

In this guide you will discover what curry actually is, how the spice mix is composed, what it is used for, and how to make the tastiest dishes with it at home.

What is curry?

Curry is not a single herb, but a mixture of various herbs and spices. The exact composition varies by manufacturer, region, and recipe. As a result, one curry mix can taste a bit sweeter while another is spicier or earthier.

The bright yellow color usually comes from turmeric, a spice that forms the base of many curry blends.

In the Netherlands curry is often used in chicken dishes, sauces, soups, and salads, but the possibilities are much broader.

Which

Middle Eastern cuisine is known for its rich aromas, warm spices and surprising flavor combinations. From fresh citrus notes to deep, earthy tastes: with the right herbs you can easily give your dishes more character. But which Middle Eastern herbs are there and how do you use them in the kitchen?

In this article you will discover the best-known herbs and spices from the Middle East, learn what they taste like and get practical tips to start using them yourself.

What are Middle Eastern herbs?

By Middle Eastern herbs we mean both dried herbs and spices that are widely used in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Turkey and parts of North Africa. They form the basis of dishes like hummus, falafel, shawarma, kebab, couscous and roasted vegetables.

Often various ingredients are combined into characteristic spice blends that make a dish instantly recognizable.

1. Za’atar

Za’atar is perhaps the best-known spice blend from the Middle East. The composition varies by region, but

The Indian cuisine is known for its rich aromas, deep flavors and colorful spices. Yet many people think you need dozens of different spices to make an authentic Indian dish. Fortunately that's not the case. A handful of good spices will take you a long way.

In this guide you'll discover which Indian spices are most used, how they taste and in which dishes they shine best.

Why are spices so important in Indian cuisine?

Indian cooking is all about balance. Spices not only add heat, but also contribute warmth, freshness, sweetness and depth to a dish. Often different spices are combined into a balanced spice blend, such as garam masala or a regional curry mix.

By briefly roasting spices first in oil or ghee their aromas are released even more and dishes get their characteristic full flavor.

The most important Indian spices at a glance

1. Cumin

Cumin has a warm, earthy and slightly nutty flavor. The spice forms the base of many curries, dals, rice dishes and marinades. Both whole seeds

Do you have a jar of vadouvan in the kitchen cupboard but aren't sure what to make with it? You are not alone. This aromatic spice mix is incredibly versatile and adds a lot of flavor to your dish with just a small amount.

In this article you'll discover 10 simple ways to use vadouvan, from creamy soups to roasted vegetables and flavorful marinades.

What is vadouvan?

Vadouvan is a mild, fragrant spice blend with French and Indian influences. The mix often contains spices such as cumin, coriander, mustard seed, turmeric and fenugreek, complemented by dried onion and garlic. This gives it a warm, slightly sweet and savory flavor.

If you're not yet familiar with this special blend, also read our extensive blog ‘What is vadouvan?’ for more background information.

1. Make a creamy zucchini soup

Vadouvan and zucchini make a surprisingly good combination. The vegetable's mild flavor gains extra depth from the warm spices.

Looking for inspiration? Try our recipe for zucchini soup with vadouvan

Vadouvan is a spice mix you might not know yet, but will reach for again and again after cooking with it once. The blend combines warm spices with the sweet taste of dried onion and garlic and is often described as a French interpretation of Indian curry.

Curious what vadouvan exactly is, how it tastes and what to use it for? In this guide we explain it and provide plenty of inspiration to get started with it at home.

What is vadouvan?

Vadouvan is a spice blend that originates from South India but later became popular in French cuisine. The mix developed in the former French colony Pondicherry, where local spices were combined with French cooking techniques and flavor preferences.

The result is a rich, fragrant blend that is less sharp than many curry mixes and is known for its gentle, full character.

Want to discover the taste yourself? Try the French Kiss Vadouvan spice mix from Natural Spices: https://www.naturalspices.nl/french-kiss-vadouvan.

Which spices are in vadouvan?

The exact

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

Mexican salsa is much more than just a dipping sauce. It is an essential part of Mexican cuisine, where fresh ingredients, acids, heat and herbs come together. From fresh and raw to deep and roasted: salsa often determines the flavor direction of a dish.

In this blog I'll take you through what salsa exactly is, which types exist and how to make a good basic version yourself. At the end we take the step to another classic: guacamole – easy to make yourself with the right spices.

What is Mexican salsa?

The word “salsa” simply means “sauce” in Spanish. In Mexican cuisine it usually refers to a mixture of vegetables, herbs and spices, often based on tomato, chili pepper, onion and lime.

What makes salsa special:

• Always a balance between fresh, sour, spicy and savory
• Often raw or briefly prepared, keeping flavors bright
• Indispensable as a topping, dip or flavor enhancer

Salsa is used with virtually everything: tacos, grilled meat, fish, vegetables, rice dishes or simply with tortilla chips.

Italian herbs form the basis of many beloved dishes. Think pasta, pizza and casseroles – it often all starts with a good herb mix. By making an Italian herb mix yourself, you not only control the flavor, but also the quality and balance.

Moreover, you always have a fresh blend on hand, without unnecessary additives.

Which herbs are in Italian herbs?

A classic Italian herb mix consists of a combination of dried Mediterranean herbs. The most used are:

• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Marjoram
• Sage (optional)

The power lies in the balance: fresh (basil), spicy (thyme) and slightly bitter (oregano).

Recipe: make your own Italian herb mix

Ingredients

• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp marjoram
• ½ tsp sage (optional)

Preparation

Mix all the herbs well together and store the mix in an airtight jar in a dark place.

How do you use Italian herbs?

This mix is widely usable in the kitchen:

• In tomato sauces for pasta
• On pizza or focaccia
• In grilled vegetables