Spirulina is an ancient Chadian and Aztec food that also happens to be very nutrient dense. It consists of blue-green algae that grow in freshwater. While it provides a rare combination of nutrients, there are alternatives you can try if you can’t find it locally. Let’s look at some of …
Chamomile is one of the more popular herbal sleep aids. A big part of its popularity may be the fact that it has a more pleasant taste when compared to other similar options. While chamomile is common and very affordable, there are situations where you might be unable to find …
Rapadura is a brown sugar from Latin America that is not extensively processed. It is used in many traditional Brazilian dishes and in various other baked goods and sweets from Latin America. It goes by many different names, including piloncillo and panela. You should be able to find it in …
The term celery powder may refer to ground celery seed, dried celery juice, or dried and powdered celery. Whichever of these three products it indicates, celery powder makes it easy to add a concentrated burst of celery flavor to your food. The version made with dried celery juice can also …
Sand ginger is one of the names for Kaempferia galanga, a rhizome used in several South East Asian dishes and that only recently has come to the attention of chefs in the West. It offers a unique flavor that may not be easy to duplicate but there are some alternatives …
Vadouvan is a popular blend of Indian spices invented by French cooks. It can be used in any western-style curry dish. It is a way of simulating Indian food with a French aesthetic and was used in France’s Indian possession, Pondicherry. While trendy in some places, it may not be …
Kasuri methi (or kasoori methi) is a culinary herb that is especially popular in certain parts of India. Outside of the subcontinent, you might call it dried fenugreek leaves. These leaves are usually crumbled over curries to give the dish a savory herbal flavor along with a slight bitterness. The …
Umami is a flavor that many cooks actively try to develop in their dishes. It is the meaty, rich flavor that makes savory foods delicious. If you want to increase umami flavor, the most convenient option is usually monosodium glutamate (MSG). While MSG has been classified as safe by the …