Because spices are my passion I’m gonna tell you something about each spice.
Saffron is a spice obtained from a flower known as ‘saffron crocus’. The pestle is then dried and used as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. Saffron grows in a belt from Spain in the west to India in the east. 1 gram costs 12€ and it’s the most expensive spice in the world and my second favorite spice.
Cloves are the aromatic flower buds. They are commonly used as a spice. Cloves are harvested in Indonesia, India, Zanzibar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. They may be used to give aromatic and flavor qualities to hot beverages like mulled wine.
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees that is used in both sweet and savoury foods. It is also used in many dessert recipes, such as apple pie and cinnamon buns.
Star anise is a spice harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes and skin creams.
Cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants. It is the world’s third-most expensive spice surpassed in price per weight only by vanilla and saffron.
Vanilla is a flavor derived from orchids from the genus Vanilla. Because vanilla is my favorite spice I’m gonna tell you something more about it. Vanilla pods are the thickest and the darkest. They don’t have a pronounced flavor but are very aromatic, with complex floral aromas.
Vanilla paste is composed of water, sugar, vanilla extract and vanilla pods. It has a rather strong flavor and 100 grams costs 40€ or more! It is my favorite way to use vanilla.
Vanilla essence is made by soaking the vanilla pods in vodka and is not recommended to use it too much.
Napisala: Mia Zorić