Have you ever stood in front of the spice aisle at the grocery store, wondering which spices to buy for your kitchen? If so, you're not alone. With so many options available, it can take time to figure out where to start. This is the blog we have carefully curated for those lost souls on aisles of groceries who scrolls and strolls around the spices, unable to decide what to buy. That means you! Yes, you! You should continue reading this post till the end to confidently walk out of grocery stores satisfied with your spice purchase.
When it comes to spices, more is not always better. Sometimes less is more.
Spice selection is an art; a little bit of this and a pinch of that can be the difference between average and amazing! More is not always better when spicing up your culinary creations. When it comes to potential seasoning dishes, sometimes less is more - choose two or three spices with complementary flavours and play off the nuances of each one. Use strategies like experimenting with different spice combinations from online guides or cookbooks or even taste-test what works best for your own flavor palate. Selecting the right spices for your kitchen isn't about having all of them, it is about choosing an appropriate range to bring out the best flavours.
If you need help deciding what spices to select, start by narrowing down your cuisine.
If you need clarification on what spices should be in your kitchen, don't stress! All you have to do is narrow down what type of cuisine you'll be cooking.
Holding onto a few guidelines will help you pick the best spices for the type of dish you will create. Taking a quick look at a seasoning guide specific to the cuisine will give access to flavours that can range from mild to wild.
Once your potential ingredients are organized, it'll be time for the cooking adventure to begin - remember to experiment with your spice selection and create something anew!
Once you've selected a cuisine, research what spices are typically used in that cuisine's dishes.
After you’ve decided what type of cuisine you want to whip up in your culinary kitchen, the next step is to research what seasonings are typically used in its dishes. Or just watch our Youtube videos. We have a Youtube channel that brings you culinary zero to hero level. We promise. You can look through our spice guides that explain the flavor and taste of each of the spices or get recommendations from experienced cooks. Once you know what specific spices are needed, it's time to go shopping! Selecting the right spices for different dishes will take your cooking experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
When buying spices, look for fresh ones with a strong aroma. Avoid ones that are old or have lost their smell.
If they don’t smell at all, there’s the best chance that spices are expired thus, give a quick sniff to spices and opt for ones that smell incredibly potent! Strong aromas indicate fresh and as flavorful as when they were first harvested. Just be sure to check the expiration date before rolling out the red carpet of deliciousness in your kitchen. If a spice is expired or its aroma is faint or nonexistent, it's time to replace them. This way, you can ensure your dishes will be delicious masterpieces that will have even the pickiest eaters asking for seconds!
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices until you find a combination you like best!
Spices can make or break a dish, even if you use the same ingredients or recipe. Experiment with different fresh spices purchased from grocery stores, homegrown options, and ethically grown and sourced options until you find a combination you like best.
Don't worry if it takes some time to get it right- that's half the fun of cooking!
To conclude,
Don't be tempted to over-season - often, the subtleties make a dish shine. When selecting spices for your kitchen, start by refining the cuisine you'll predominantly be cooking. Once you've established this base, research the flavors and aromas typically used within those dishes.
For the freshest, most aromatic spices that possess maximum shelf life and flavor potency, your best bet is to carefully select those with intense aromas that have been recently stocked.
Avoid purchasing any older or scentless batches of spices to ensure they stay within their prime when you use them. Plus - remember to experiment! Have fun mixing and matching different combinations until you find one or more. Options with spices are endless.
And to read more on what spices go well together and what don't, click here!
If you hate going back and forth in the grocery aisle and despise being wrong with the combinations of spices you pick up, let us do that heavy duty for you. We have taken it upon ourselves to grow, put together, package, and deliver thoughtfully the best quality spices and their awesome flavours to your doorstep. You have to give us a nod to select which spices in our catalogs suit your palates. Browse our spices here!
Comments