Berbere is an Ethiopian spice blend that's often used in meat and vegetable stews. It's a warm blend that adds a spicy, rich undertone to dishes. It's very versatile though and beyond using it as a marinade for meat or a base in a soup, it can be used as a topping for fruit or …
Here's how to make and use rose water for cooking and baking, plus some of our favorite rose water recipes. What is Rose Water? Rose water (sometimes spelled rosewater) is a floral water made by distilling or simmering rose petals. It's often used in Middle Eastern, Persian, and Indian cooking. It's primarily known for being …
What is Orange Blossom Water? Orange Blossom Water is a flower water (like rosewater) that’s made from the blossoms on orange trees. It’s a wonderfully floral, citrus flavor to add to baked goods, salads, and drinks. The key to using any flower water is to not overdo it. Orange blossom water adds a lovely flavor …
What is Za’atar? Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made from a herb mixture usually containing thyme, sumac, cumin, salt and other spices. It’s used extensively throughout the Levant countries as a topping for Arabic pita bread, meat, yogurt, hummus, and salads. Za’atar spice is an incredibly versatile spice mixture with a nutty, herbal …
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 …
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 but is less …