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Aromatic Herbs & Spices
Spices and aromatic herbs are ingredients that are increasingly used in the kitchen, giving a unique flavor to their dishes. Sometimes it happens to confuse one with the other, even if they are different products, but their function is usually the same, that is to flavor the dishes, enhancing their flavor. The taste and benefits of aromatic herbs With the expression aromatic herbs, we generally refer to vegetables or herbs grown in pots and in the garden, but also available in the wild. There are several types, but among the best known products stand out bay laurel, basil, borage, oregano, parsley, thyme and sage. The aromatic herbs in the kitchen are used in many countries: for example pasta with tomato and basil is an indispensable must of Italian cuisine. The nutritional value of aromatic herbs is in itself rather poor, but these are very important ingredients because they vary the palatability of the foods and allow some useful substitutions for the body's well-being, such as spicy herbs as an alternative to salt. The aromatic herbs for sale on Natura d’Oriente are products of the highest quality, ideal for making your dishes tastier and to amaze your guests with unforgettable recipes. The taste and the benefits of aromatic spices The term spices indicate dry vegetable products that generally come from tropical countries or in any case from quite distant places, widely used since the past to preserve and flavor foods. Aromatic spices are obtained from different parts of the plants: cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric and ginger stand out among the most appreciated. Spices and aromatic herbs can give any recipe a unique touch, whether it is a meat dish or a tasty side dish: the secret is to find the right balance!
Contemporary phytotherapy uses dill leaves to relieve digestive difficulties and irritation of the oral mucous membranes. The diuretic and purifying properties make it an ally against water retention and cellulite, as it helps eliminate the accumulation of excess fluids. Dill tips are excellent in the kitchen for flavoring fish-based dishes such as salmon, with their spicy and intense flavour.
The beneficial properties of juniper berries were known from the time of the ancient Egyptians. They were in fact used for embalming and for disinfecting rooms. The numerous active ingredients contained in juniper berries give them important therapeutic benefits. Widely used in folk medicine to treat various ailments.
Chia seeds have excellent quantities of good fats, fiber, proteins, calcium, magnesium etc. Among these properties, anti-colitis, anti-cholesterol and slimming properties stand out, as well as the preventive action of diabetes and osteoporosis, and the anti-inflammatory one for the gastric mucosa and rebalancing of hormones for women in pre and menopause.
Wild fennel flowers are the small inflorescences that form the umbrella of the plant, highly appreciated as a condiment in cooking. They are collected at the beginning of flowering, dried and then "shelled" in order to obtain this fragrant spice, with a complex and balanced taste. The fennel flower is particularly suitable for flavoring pork, mushrooms, aubergines, olives and typical dishes such as snails in a pan.
Ground yellow mustard is used for the production of cream mustard which accompanies numerous dishes throughout the western world. It can be used during the cooking of roasts to obtain savory and pleasant consistency. In this form it can also be used for marinades and "rub".
These small and aromatic seeds are known for their excellent properties, used both in cooking and for beneficial infusions. They give a very intense aroma and a slightly bitter taste to many recipes, appreciated in Asian, French and Cajun cuisines. Celery seeds are excellent for soups, broths, sauces, flavoring meat and the famous celery salt. They contain precious nutrients and antioxidants, useful for our well-being.
We can use black mustard seeds to treat chronic constipation, as a diuretic and in gargle to treat the angine. It is a friend of the stomach, it is stimulating, febrifugal, antiscorbutic, and it can cause vomiting. Even dizziness, asthma, lumbago, sciatic, intercostal pain, tooth ache, menstrual pain, are all curable if we rely on mustard.
Yellow mustard seeds are a spice derived from the seeds of the mustard plant (Sinapis alba). These seeds are small, light yellow in color and have a spicy, slightly bitter flavor. They are used in the kitchen to prepare mustard paste, flavor dishes and preserve food. Yellow mustard is common in many cuisines around the world and adds a distinctive flavor to various dishes, from marinades to salad dressings.
The crusco pepper is a variety of pepper typical of Basilicata, a region in southern Italy. Once harvested, the peppers are dried in the sun or in special dryers, becoming crunchy and maintaining a sweet and intense flavour. Cruschi peppers are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, used both whole and in powder form, to enrich traditional dishes such as pasta, soups and side dishes, giving a unique and characteristic taste.