Hawaij spice (also known as Hawayej, Hawaj, and Hawayij) means "mixture" in Arabic. It's a spice blend with primarily cumin and black pepper and often contains cardamom, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. There are two primary blends of hawaij - one for savory dishes and one used in coffee and desserts. Hawaij is primarily used …
What is Baharat Spice Mix? Baharat (which means "spices" in Arabic) is a spice blend used in Middle Eastern (especially the Arabian Gulf region) and Greek cuisine. Typical baharat seasoning ingredients include allspice, chili peppers, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, and peppercorns. The mixture is finely ground and is often used on fish, chicken, …
Ever wondered how to use saffron? This saffron guide will answer all your questions - how many saffron strands to use, where saffron is grown, what are the best recipes using saffron, and where to buy saffron. Saffron is a gorgeous spice and a little goes a long way (which is good, because it’s not …
What is Urfa Biber? Urfa Biber (also known as Isot Pepper) is a crushed dried chili pepper. The spice gets its name from the region in Turkey it's grown in (Urfa) and the Turkish word for pepper (Biber). It's typically described as having chocolate, raisin, and coffee flavors (smoky, sour, and sweet all in one). …
What is turmeric? Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family and its native to Southeast Asia. It’s commonly used in food (often in curries) and as a dye. Turmeric rhizomes (the fleshly root-like structure) can be used fresh or in powder form. Typically, the powdered form is made by boiling the fresh rhizomes, then …
What is sumac? Sumac spice is a flowering plant that grows in the Middle East, Asia, and North America. It usually grows as a small shrub or tree. Its flowers form a red fruit that is ground and used as a spice, typically in Middle Eastern cuisine. Sumac has a tangy flavor that tastes lemony …
Spices can make or break a dish. I often find that I dislike dishes that are under-spiced, but rarely do I encounter an over-spiced dish. I think you should feel free to go a little crazy with the spices in your food until you find combinations you really like. I've included my 10 favorite, unique …
