Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Tips For Choosing And Using All Natural Spices

By Jayne Rutledge


Organic focus has become very popular. Spice has now become a part of that. All natural spices make a much better selection, both for taste and health. They have no additives or preservatives. This allows their robust flavors to shine through. This means that the use of salt can be avoided. Health professionals have determined it is unhealthy to use salt in excess. There is also an avoidance of preservatives and additives that is conducive to better health.

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.

Steam is a major destroyer of freshness. Shaking the jar over a boiling pot allow that steam to go straight into the jar. It is best to put the proper amount of the spice in the hand and add it to the pot. Also, it is important to keep heat away during storage. They should be in a cool, dark place, away from the stove, not over it.

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.

To be sure you are getting what you want, it is important to note the growers' location. Flavors vary by location. Some locations will mean peppers are hotter, vanilla is sweeter, and flavors like dill will be stronger. Find the perfect location for the particular spice you are investigating to get the flavor and quality that you are looking for.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment