Spices had been used by Indians long before they were introduced to the western world. Upon their introduction, spices used to cost enormous amounts of money. They were exchanged for gold, silver, leather, and many more precious goods.
Nowadays, most spices are affordable and omnipresent, and you can find them on almost every kitchen shelf. But considering the number of available spices, how do you choose the best ones? After all, everyone has a unique taste and preference. We have put together a list of the most delectable spices that will make every meal and drink mouth-watering and unforgettable.
Pink Himalayan Salt
Lots of custom papers, articles, and books regarding the benefits of pink Himalayan salt were written. Compared to simple, chemically created salt, Himalayan is packed with healthy minerals that improve respiratory diseases, balance the body’s pH, regulate blood sugar, and even increase sexual drive. Besides, it looks fascinating; some pink color will jazz up your pantry!
Black Peppercorns
Black pepper, although being a typical spice, makes every dish savory and exquisite. However, many people don’t reveal pepper’s full potential, using its pre-grounded version. If you like cooking, buying a mortar and pestle and whole spices is a no-brainer. Not only will this utensil unveil the pepper’s full spectrum of flavors and tastes, but it will make practically every spice and herb more intense and palatable.
Turmeric
Yes, it is that yellow spice that makes curry distinguishable from hundreds of dishes. Turmeric is well-known for its color and health benefits. It doesn’t have a strong flavor, which makes this spice universal. That is, you can cook soup, rice, and meat by adding turmeric. Aside from those, you can add turmeric when making golden milk. Yummy!
Oregano
Oregano tends to be one among several secret ingredients in Mediterranean and Latin cuisines. Ask any Italian that cooks pizza about the sauce, and they will tell you – oregano is obligatory. And even though oregano nine times out of ten correlates with pizza, it makes many other meals delicious and delectable. You can add oregano to pasta, grilled vegetables, roasted chicken, potatoes, and, above all, tomatoes.
Thyme
With its warmness and woodiness, thyme is slightly similar to oregano. It is also ubiquitous in Mediterranean and Latin cuisines and is predominantly used with vegetables and grilled fish. Usually, thyme is added to soups, stews, hearty sauces, pork, and turkey. Whether you are a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan, thyme is a must on your shelf.
Cinnamon
Show us the person that doesn’t love baking. Buns, croissants, pies, muffins – bake anything your heart desires! What connects them all? Cinnamon, indeed. This spice is widely present in American cuisine. We can’t imagine our lives without morning pancakes with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. If you can, a dozen other meals await for you to add cinnamon on them! Baked sweet potatoes, raw baby carrots, and even tea will taste better with cinnamon.
Rosemary
Rosemary has long been used in European cuisines. Kings’ cooks used to add rosemary needles to chicken, pork, and lamb. Others would add rosemary to soups and stocks, making meals more intense and flavored. In the South, people would cook fish, adding lemon, lemon zest, garlic, black pepper, and rosemary. See, how many dishes rosemary improves? You can certainly find your way to add rosemary and make it an integral part of your pantry.
Whole Cumin
Remember that mortar and pestle we were talking about? It will come in handy with cumin. Cumin is a potent spice that provides nutty, aromatic, and earthy notes. Whole cumin contains healthy oils that reveal their aromas when using mortar and pestle. We would recommend looking for high-quality whole cumin. Although it might be a bit pricey, you don’t need a lot of it to get a memorable scope of aromas.
And the list can go on and on. It will be best to gather all the spices, use them, and decide which suits you the most. But since it’s nearly impossible, consider stocking your kitchen shelf with the mentioned list. These spices are versatile and will pertain to almost any meal and drink you can prepare at home.