Native Americans were the first to discover the means of making maple sugar. They boiled the sap of maple trees sap down to create a solid product that could last for long periods and that was easier to transport than sap or syrup. Maple sugar is a versatile sweetener that …
Cedar berries come from eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana) that can grow as tall as 50 feet. The juniper berries used for flavoring come from the Juniperus communis, which can be a sprawling shrub or a tree that can grow as tall as 52 feet. Both eastern red cedar …
Cilantro is a popular herb best known for its use in Mexican cooking. “Cilantro” is the Spanish word for coriander, and that name has been adopted in the United States largely due to the popularity of Mexican cuisine. In the U.S., “coriander” is used specifically for the plant’s seeds, which …
Basil and mint are both versatile herbs that belong to the Lamiaceae family. Basil is widely used in Mediterranean dishes, while mint is more popular in the Middle East and parts of Asia. These two herbs share certain qualities but also have very definite differences. Let’s compare mint and basil …
Black pepper is arguably the world’s second most widely used spice besides salt. It is a major flavor component in many of the world’s most popular savory dishes, as it is used almost globally. Despite its role as a staple spice, there are categories of black pepper that many people …
Of the many cinnamon varieties, Saigon cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon are two of the most prized. Neither is the most popular type of cinnamon in the United States, but both are fairly easy to find. Despite the fact that each of them is called cinnamon, these two flavorful ingredients do …
Cardamom and cloves often appear in the same dishes, and both have a reputation for assertive flavors. If you are trying to decide which is right for a particular dish, you will need to look closely at what is special about each of them. Let’s compare these two spices. How …
Both cinnamon and nutmeg are pantry staples in much of the world and are essential for a large number of savory and sweet preparations. Despite being familiar to most cooks and bakers, there are a lot of factors to consider when comparing them. Let’s take a look at how cinnamon …