Gourmet Seasonings
Transform Bland into Gourmet
Who would have known that the humble spices sitting on your kitchen spice rack have had a long and tumultuous past which helped to shape world history. For centuries, countries fought to take control of the spice trade and competed to discover new routes to obtain the precious commodity. Even the "New World" was discovered by early explorers who were seeking new trade routes. Those countries that took control of the spice trade enjoyed their "golden ages" with flourishing prosperity and great wealth. Times have changed and so have trading practices, but the demand for seasonings has never diminished.
Spice is often the general term used to describe seasonings that have come from buds, fruit, bark, roots, seeds, stems, or leaves from certain plants and trees. Most spices are of tropical origin.
Anyone who loves gourmet food usually prefers spices that are whole. This allows them to freshly grind their spices to add maximum flavor to their food. However, the convenience of ground spices is also good. All spices should be stored in tightly sealed containers to help them retain their flavor.
In any gourmet kitchen, you'll find around 25 basic seasoning and spices. Included are usually pepper, paprika, caraway, allspice, chili powder, curry powder, cloves, ground ginger, nutmeg, and mustard seed, just to name a few.
When referring to herbs, they are soft plants that are grown in milder climates. If you are looking to buy them, herbs can be found in both fresh, ground and dried forms. You can even grow them yourself and/or also find them growing wild. Common varieties of herbs include bay leaves, basil, chervil, coriander, parsley, oregano, tarragon, sage, dill, thyme, and rosemary.
Garlic is often used as a seasoning due to its strong flavor. Garlic can be found at your local grocery store in the form of fresh garlic bulbs or in bottled as cloves, paste, or minced. Garlic oil, which is oil infused with garlic, is used by gourmet chefs to enhance the flavor of fine dishes from many international cuisines. Garlic can also be found in dried form as garlic powder and garlic salt.
Herbs, when used properly, are wonderfully healthy additions to just about any dish. If you are on a sodium-free diet, you can easily replace the taste by combining such herbs as marjoram, dill, and basil. Not only can herbs work well as a replacement, but they also offer nutrients. Throughout the world, herbs are also used in medicinal and healing treatments.