If you’re new to the kitchen, then you’re going to start your experiments with seasonings and spices. Because these are the ingredients which are going to change your meals every time you use them in a different way. That’s why you need to know that choosing the right spices really matters. Let’s take a look at the understanding of spices and how you can use them.
Role of Spices
Basically, the spices are added into the food to achieve aroma, colour, flavour and depth. Eating spices brings out different characteristics of the food. From sweet to warm and too savoury every spice has a different function.
Roles of Common Spices
● Taste enhancer
● Sweetness
● Hotness
● Savoury and earthy
● Fragrant
Taste Enhancer
Garlic, onion as well as black pepper powder are often used to enhance the flavour of the recipe.
Sweetness
Sometimes nutmeg, cinnamon as well as all kinds of spices are used to bring out the sweet and warm flavour of the food.
Hotness
There’s a time when some chilli flakes, black pepper as well as cayenne pepper can do magic and bring out the hotness of flavours of certain recipes.
Savoury and Earthy
If you use coriander, human and turmeric then you can bring out the amazing savoury and the flavours of the food.
Fragrant
Sometimes using fragrant as well as floral alternatives of spices can really make your food smell better as well as they turn out really good. Spices like cardamom, saffron and funnel seeds bring out the floral flavour in a dish.
Whole and Grounded Spices
When using spices, the perfect time is really needed to find out the perfect flavours with the help of spices. There are whole spices and then there are ground spices. Both are important but sometimes the ground spices are the best. When you need to simmer or roast something then these spices such as whole spices as well as grounded spices are going to help you achieve the best flavour.
Timing of Spices
This is a crucial step when you are starting to cook. You need to understand the perfect timing of ending each five. Whenever you sauté and Simar onions or ginger garlic as well as potatoes then you need to add spices so they start to bloom.
Some spices are added in the middle of the cooking such as soups, sauces as well as stews. And some delicate spices such as fresh herbs.
Spice Combinations
Sometimes two or three spices are mixed to achieve the basic blend of spices that will make the recipe taste much better and the aromas will be extraordinary.
In case you need Italian seasoning, then you should go for oregano, thyme, rosemary and basil. Similarly Mexican seasoning also provides us with oregano, chilli powder and cumin. If you come into Indian cuisine then it is filled with garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Last but not the least Middle Eastern vibes come through all spices, cardamom, sumac and cinnamon.