Saturday, February 1, 2014

How To Choose And Use All Natural Spices

By Jayne Rutledge


Spice selections have become one part of the popular organic movement. All natural spices are healthier and tastier than those with preservatives or other additives in them. Plus, their rich, strong flavors help one to eliminate the use of salt, which has been determined by doctors and nutritionists to not be advisable for many to use. They also ensure freedom from preservatives and additives that most want to avoid for a healthier lifestyle.

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.

To maintain the freshness, you should never add a spice directly to a boiling pot. The steam can rise into the container, causing loss of freshness. You should shake the proper amount into the palm and add it to the pot that way. In relation to this, store them all in a cool, dry place, not over the stove, which is a popular place for many.

There are a number of ways to check for freshness. One can check for color. Red tends to turn brown, green fades, and some just lose color all together. Also, the aroma is a good way to determine freshness. To check, put a small pinch in the palm of the hand and rub. Fresh spices will give off a strong, typical aroma.

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.

The use of all natural flavorings benefits all concerned. Suppliers and growers work together in a mutual relationship. The supplier pays the grower a fair price, helping those growers economically. Many come from countries with lower economic levels. These purchases help them financially. Consumers get higher quality at a reasonable price, so they, too, benefit.

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.




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