Herbs and spices are what make cooking an art - and eating a joy. Without them, food would simply satisfy a need rather than fulfill a desire. They can complete flavors, such as the way cumin rounds out hummus. They can also alter an expected taste, such as adding mint to fresh garden peas. You could say herbs and spices add nuance, sensuality, inventiveness and adventure, among other things, to cooking.
Opt for organic herbs and spices in their freshest form when possible. Conventional cultivation does not usually involve insecticides (due to the naturally repellant qualities of essential oils contained in herbs and spices), but other chemicals may be used. Choosing organic means herbs and spices with no herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers or genetic modifications. Unlike conventional farming, which depletes the soil, organic farming improves the soil and even builds topsoil through the composting of farm waste.
Our complete guides cover everything from what to look for when you select arrowroot or white tumeric to their potential uses. Explore both familiar and exotic ingredients and learn more about their nutritional qualities, varieties and seasonality. Debunk the myths and get the practical information you need to know!
