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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!
Pink pepper or false pepper, delicately spicy, has a sweet and slightly resinous aftertaste. It is used to flavor fish dishes (especially salmon), roast meat, risottos and more. It allows you to create high-impact plating, playing on the contrast of colors. This particular variant has numerous beneficial properties. Particularly sensitive to high temperatures, it is good practice to add it at the end of cooking in hot dishes, so as not to alter their delicate flavor.
Sichuan pepper is a red berry native to China. It has a very fresh, spicy and citrusy taste. It should be added to cooking, whole, or toasted and ground (except the seeds). We recommend toasting only the amount needed for the dish being prepared, once toasted it tends to quickly lose flavor and intensity.
Malagueta pepper or Guinea pepper is particularly rich in essential oils. Its scent is reminiscent of ginger, but notes of cardamom can also be perceived, so much so that it is often used or recommended as a substitute for the latter in recipes. It is used to flavor stews and some grains of this spice are added to the traditional drink based on kola nut typical of Sicily.
Tarragon also known as tarragon, is an herb considered digestive and purifying. Similar to anise and celery, it gives a slightly bitter and peppery flavour, suitable as a condiment for less tasty foods. In the kitchen, its fresh and strong taste is used to flavor sauces, meats, fish and eggs. Useful for counteracting meteorism and excess gastrointestinal gas, tarragon is also rich in antioxidants.
Chives are an aromatic plant. Like the other most used spices, chives have a decidedly particular taste, although lighter and more delicate than that of garlic or onion. It has diuretic, antiseptic, cardiotonic, hypoglycemic, vermifuge properties. Use it directly dried to flavor many dishes like a normal spice.
Sichuan pepper is a green berry native to China, also called Sancho Pepper. It has a very fresh, citrusy, spicy and sparkling taste that gradually envelops the palate. It should be added to cooking, whole, or crushed in a mortar always in small doses because. Once toasted, it tends to quickly lose its flavor.
Black pepper is more than just a spice, and used daily it is a real natural drug. Used for healing purposes for millennia, it goes beyond the idea of a simple spice. Black pepper would stimulate the production of natural endorphins by acting as a kind of natural antidepressant. Characteristic is the brown color of the large and full-bodied grains.
Tonka beans are an exotic and strongly aromatic ingredient, adding a complex, unique spicy scent to your sweet or savory recipes. Furthermore, they have a high content of coumarin, a beneficial antioxidant substance.