Herbs & Spices

Spice from a pod of a climbing vine grown in tropical rain forests. Available whole, its seeds are scraped off the pod and used to infuse milk and cream when making sweet sauces or custard and in sugar to make vanilla sugar. It is a much superior flavour and fragrance to vanilla essence.

These small, round berries taste like a mixture of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. They can be used in savoury dishes, especially those of Caribbean origin, as well as cakes and biscuits.

Mustard seeds are a great source of various minerals such as copper, calcium, iron and zinc. Moreover, they are a good source of several vitamins, including vitamin K and vitamin B6. They have a high percentage of dietary fibre, are rich in antioxidants and polyunsaturated fats.

Also known as Pimenton, it is a popular ingredient in many Mediterranean recipes. Its flavor is essential for authentic Spanish cooking where the peppers are dried slowly over an oak burning fire for several weeks before being ground to a fine powder.

Wasabi, also known as Japanese horseradish can be used to coat fried peanuts, soya beans or peas to make a crunchy snack. If mixed with water and stirred into a paste, wasabi is a great side to most Japanese dishes

Interchangeable with black pepper in cooking although white is preferred for light coloured dishes. White peppercorns are fully ripened berries which are more aromatic but less hot than black peppercorns.

adds warmth and a kick of spice to baked apples, stewed dried fruit and baked gammon.

Native to South East Asia. Grate and use in soups and cheese based sauces and Xmas baking. Used in moderation, may be used to treat bronchitis, rheumatism and flatulence.

As chillies do, their strong, pungent flavour adds heat to any dish, very popular in Indian and Mexican cuisine

Rich in Vitamin C, iron and calcium. Great cleanser and tonic for the liver and kidneys and fortifier for the blood. Use in absolutely everything, from soups to stews to meat dishes to vegetable gratins. Main ingredient of bouquet garni.

A blend of ground coriander seed, yellow mustard seeds, chillies, ginger, cloves, black peppercorns, allspice berries, bay leaves, cassia bark and mace blades. used in the preparation of pickling vegetables and meats, and chutneys

Little or very mild flavour. Usually mixed with other coloured peppercorns.

Marries well with roasted dishes especially root vegetables and potatoes. Its essential oil is diuretic, stimulates the production of bile, improves digestion and can act as an antiseptic for the respiratory system.

Common herb to Northern Italy and Europe.having a slightly bitter taste can be used in stuffings, casseroles and egg and cheese based dishes. It can help alleviate menopausal symptoms and painful periods.

the most expensive spice to date because the stigma of the crocus plant is picked by hand. Labelled the king of spices, it is highly aromatic with a slightly bitter taste adding a subtle flavour and golden tinge to many dishes. Available in fragile threads, it is used extensively in Spanish and Italian cuisines in the preparation of rice dishes and cakes. Rich in Vitamin B2 and riboflavin, saffron is used in the treatment of urinary and digestive problems.

Relative of the red pepper family, it is milder in flavour than cayenne but Hungarian paprika is hotter than Spanish paprika. A mellow sweet flavour used to lend a distinctive red colouring to food. Good for the heart and circulation.

A curry blend of coriander, cumin, salt, paprika, garlic, chilli, cinnamon and cloves.

An aromatic herb typical of French cuisine having an aniseed flavour. used to flavour dressings and marinades.

Having a strong aromatic flavour one of the herbs used in a bouquet garni. Used in dishes cooked with wine, sauteed vegetables and stuffings. It has strong antibacterial properties and acts as an antiseptic for lungs, throat and digestive system.

Relative to the ginger family, its warm earthy taste is used in curry mixes to impart colour. It may be used as a remedy for liver related problems and to treat some skin diseases.