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 flavor. It’s often …
Spice Guides
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 …
Baharat (which means "spices" in Arabic) is a spice blend used in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine (especially in the Arabian Gulf region). It's an all-purpose seasoning that can be used to flavor just about any dish. If you haven't tried it before, use baharat as a spice rub to flavor your next meat dish. …
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). …
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 baking till dried, …
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 …
Spices can make or break a dish. I often dislike dishes that are under-spiced, but I rarely encounter an over-spiced dish. You should feel free to experiment with spices in your food until you find combinations you really like. I've included my ten favorite unique spices below. These are the best unique spices around, not …