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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.
Green pepper is used to flavor fish and meat dishes (chicken, turkey, pork, beef). The recipe for fillet with green pepper is famous. It is particularly appreciated for its spicy, fresh and delicately herbaceous flavour. Green pepper also goes well with other spices, including nutmeg, coriander and juniper.
Cinnamon in bark is the spice preferred by cooks to give a particular flavor to their recipes. In healthy terms, cinnamon helps keep blood sugar in balance, helps prevent cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, triglycerides and ulcers. Tip: do not cook it too long, it can become bitter.
Cassia ground cinnamon has an intense flavor that goes well with salty foods and flavors meat. In the Middle East it accompanies stews, lamb, goose and duck meat; in Thailand pork and dried fruit; in Morocco it is combined with pigeon pastilla; in Yorkshire it is excellent in braised ham. A pinch of cinnamon is perfect in mashed potatoes, ravioli and pumpkin risotto. It gives a unique aroma to vegetable pies or natural yoghurt.
Chinese five spice powder is a traditional spice blend, used in Chinese cuisine. This mix gives the dishes a light hint of minty taste, which still includes all the five flavors in cooking: sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter. A special taste to flavor meat and fish dishes, marinades and exotic sauces.
Ingredients:
star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, fennel.
Tasmanian pepper is a fake pepper from the Australian mainland. It is an extremely aromatic pepper. The notes are very fresh, fruity and woody notes highlighting the roar of basil and camphor. It can be used in white fish, salmon, herring, shellfish, pork, duck and pheasant.
The cumin plant, is one of the oldest medicinal plants, it produces seeds that have a spicy flavor and a rich and singular aroma. Some research is also testing its slimming power. The scientists involved compared the effects of using cumin extracts on overweight and blood sugar.
Cameroon black pepper belongs to the Piperaceae family. It is a very rare pepper with a special flavor, much appreciated by connoisseurs and chefs, so much so that it is classified as one of the best varieties of pepper in the world. Its unique and aromatic flavor is well suited to beef or pork, excellent in soups and lends itself to countless combinations, even unconventional ones.
Herbs of Provence are a blend of fresh or dried aromatic plants. Unmissable in the recipes of local cuisine, these herbs are used to give the final touch in vegetable-based dishes, in stews, sauces, ragu and in grilled fish and meat, such as that of Sisteron lamb.
Fenugreek grains have strong properties that make them a tasty and beneficial spice. They are used in cooking for many recipes, for a soothing action on the digestive system and to stimulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and triglycerides.
Wild fennel seeds are considered a particular aromatic spice in cooking, to enrich the flavor of our dishes with a rather sweet taste reminiscent of anise. They are used as ingredients in the home preparation of bread, crackers and breadsticks. Excellent flavorings for recipes with pork, boiled potatoes, gratinated vegetables and other Mediterranean cuisine specialties.
Garam Masala spice blend is believed to contain a balance of all six flavors. It has sweetness, heat, spiciness, and a hint of floral nuances. When these spices combine, they create a special blend, adding incredible depth and complexity to a wide array of traditional dishes and creative recipes.
Ingredients:
Cinnamon, Cumin, Nutmeg, Coriander, Black Pepper, Cloves, Bay Leaf.