Organic cooking has become a big item, and spice choices are a big art of that. The use of all natural spices gives a healthier boost to food tastes without adding preservatives and other additives to the diet. Salt has been determined by health professionals to not be good to use in excess. These strong flavors can help to eliminate, or at least lessen, the need for salt.
Spices have a very long shelf life, usually from two to four years, so it is not necessary to add anything to them to keep them fresh longer. You can, however, increase the maximum length of freshness by following a few hints. Following these tips ensures you get the maximum shelf life.
An important factor in keeping freshness is storing them in airtight glass jars. This avoids one of the major enemies to freshness, moisture. If you can't find your choices in glass containers, you can change them over into your own containers. Some are very pretty, and come with special racks that can be quite decorative. This, combined with the beauty of the spice, make a very beautiful addition to your kitchen.
One tip for maintaining freshness is to never hold the container over a boiling pot. Shake the spice out into the palm of your hand and add to the pot that way. Steam is an enemy to freshness, and you don't want the steam rising into the bottle. Also, store in a cool, dry place, not over the stove like many cooks do.
Periodically checking for freshness helps keep the freshest ingredients. This can be done by checking for color. With age, reds turn brown, greens get lighter and duller, and some colors just completely fade. Aroma can also help determine freshness. Place a small quantity of the spice in the palm and rub. Freshness is indicated by a strong aroma that smells like it did originally.
Where the spice is grown is a key factor in flavor. Different locations of growing yield slightly different flavors. Some locations yield peppers that are hotter, or vanilla or cinnamon that is sweeter in flavor than it does in other areas. Dill will also yield a stronger dill taste in some areas. Search for the location that yields what you expect.
There are mutual benefits for all in the use of natural or organic flavorings. The grower gets a reasonable price for their product. Since many growers live in poorer areas, this is important. The supplier has a source at a reasonable price. The consumer also benefits by getting a quality product at a lower cost.
Gourmet cooks are constantly testing different tastes to get the dish like they want. Cooking healthily means having the quality ingredients that are of good quality. All natural spices is just one way to add this taste and turn a mediocre dish into a fantastic one.
Spices have a very long shelf life, usually from two to four years, so it is not necessary to add anything to them to keep them fresh longer. You can, however, increase the maximum length of freshness by following a few hints. Following these tips ensures you get the maximum shelf life.
An important factor in keeping freshness is storing them in airtight glass jars. This avoids one of the major enemies to freshness, moisture. If you can't find your choices in glass containers, you can change them over into your own containers. Some are very pretty, and come with special racks that can be quite decorative. This, combined with the beauty of the spice, make a very beautiful addition to your kitchen.
One tip for maintaining freshness is to never hold the container over a boiling pot. Shake the spice out into the palm of your hand and add to the pot that way. Steam is an enemy to freshness, and you don't want the steam rising into the bottle. Also, store in a cool, dry place, not over the stove like many cooks do.
Periodically checking for freshness helps keep the freshest ingredients. This can be done by checking for color. With age, reds turn brown, greens get lighter and duller, and some colors just completely fade. Aroma can also help determine freshness. Place a small quantity of the spice in the palm and rub. Freshness is indicated by a strong aroma that smells like it did originally.
Where the spice is grown is a key factor in flavor. Different locations of growing yield slightly different flavors. Some locations yield peppers that are hotter, or vanilla or cinnamon that is sweeter in flavor than it does in other areas. Dill will also yield a stronger dill taste in some areas. Search for the location that yields what you expect.
There are mutual benefits for all in the use of natural or organic flavorings. The grower gets a reasonable price for their product. Since many growers live in poorer areas, this is important. The supplier has a source at a reasonable price. The consumer also benefits by getting a quality product at a lower cost.
Gourmet cooks are constantly testing different tastes to get the dish like they want. Cooking healthily means having the quality ingredients that are of good quality. All natural spices is just one way to add this taste and turn a mediocre dish into a fantastic one.
About the Author:
If you like top quality all natural spices and teas, click the link to Sam & Ash farms. For info on our seasonal California produce selections in Escalon, CA, visit us online at http://samashfarms.com today.
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