Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. Cinnamon comes in ‘quills’, strips of bark rolled one in another. The pale brown to tan bar strip is generally thin, the spongy outer bark having been scraped off. There actually are two kinds of cinnamon as we know it. True (Ceylon) cinnamon comes from … Continued
Pepper comes from several species of a vinous perennial climber, which thrives best in humid rainy tropical regions. The spice is the fruit, called peppercorns. Pepper is known for its spicy aroma and hot pungent taste. It is present as bunch on a spike. As it matures the berry first grows into a sphere of … Continued
Onion is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Its close relatives include garlic, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion. Onion is usually treated as an annual plant and harvested in its first growing season. Together with garlic, onions are one of the most commonly used dehydrates in seasoning and flavouring in today’s … Continued
The cassia bark is coarser and thicker than the cinnamon bark. It has a more intense aroma and has higher essential oil content. Cinnamon can be distinguished from cassia by its lighter colour and much finer powder. Cassia barks are available in whole, chips, bark, broken and ground.
The nutmeg tree is a large evergreen, it produces two spices — mace and nutmeg. Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside the fruit and mace is the lacy covering (aril) on the kernel. The nutmeg seed is encased in a mottled yellow, edible fruit, the approximate size and shape of a small peach. The fruit … Continued
Turmeric is an ancient spice, a native of South East Asia, used from antiquity as dye and a condiment. In many languages turmeric is simply named as “yellow root”. Turmeric is the rhizome of a ginger-like plant. It is usually available ground, as a bright yellow, fine powder. The whole turmeric is a tuberous rhizome, … Continued
Cumin is a seed spice of an annual small herb of the parsley family. The plants require a mild, equable climate and a fairly long growing season of three or four months. The crop is ready for harvest when the plants begin to wither. Cumin seeds are available whole, cracked and ground.
Black pepper comes from several species of a vinous perennial climber, which thrives best in humid rainy tropical regions. The spice is the fruit, called peppercorns. Pepper is known for its spicy aroma and hot pungent taste. It is present as bunch on a spike. As it matures the berry first grows into a sphere … Continued