SPICEography 
Alligator pepper and grains of paradise are actually the same spice, but with one key difference: grains of paradise are sold as the seeds only while alligator pepper includes the whole pod. It gets its name from the fact that the texture of the pod can be likened to that …
Pickling spices often show up in recipes for pickled vegetables as well as for corned beef. They can contain any of a diverse range of spices that includes bay leaves, chili peppers and mustard seeds. Pickling spices have one thing in common—their ability to withstand the pickling process, which means …
Angelica comes from Northern Europe where it grows in damp areas like woodlands and alongside rivers. The Vikings are thought to have brought this herb with them to Eastern Europe. One story about how the plant got its name is that an angel supposedly visited a monk to offer angelica …
Shiso is considered one of Japan’s seven main flavorings, which have been in use in that nation’s cuisine for more than 300 years. Shiso started out as a Chinese medicinal herb that migrated to Japan in the eighth century. Its use was documented as a part of a medicinal formula …
Historians believe that the English word “pickle” comes from the Dutch word “pekel” or the German word “pokel,” both of which refer to the brining aspect of pickling. Humans have been pickling foods for much longer than any of those words have been in use. In fact, some of the …
Ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice blend that can contain as few as 10 ingredients and as many as 80. The ingredients can range from rose petals to Spanish fly. The name comes from an Arabic term that denotes the best spices that a spice merchant has in stock. …
Holy basil or “Tulsi” has been medicine in India for nearly 3000 years. Over this period, Indians have grown it in their gardens and temples and it is considered the most sacred plant in Hinduism. The plant plays a major role in Hindu mythology as it is supposed to be …
Ancho powder is one of the most popular spices in Mexico. Mexican cooks use for a range of dishes from enchilada sauce to mole. Ancho pepper imparts a mild heat and fruity sweetness to dishes. The heat of the ancho usually tops out at about 9,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). …