Throughout human history, herbal spice blends have been the stuff of legend, wars, and poetry, they have served as valuable currency, and in medieval times were the driving force behind world exploration (Dalby, 2000). These aromatic herbs have crisscrossed national and cultural boundaries over and over again as those who cook (and those who eat) have created rich local cuisines and family recipes to be passed down through the generations.
And for good reason! Spices heighten and complement the taste components of foods and help to preserve and extend the life of some dishes. Herbalists also know that many, if not most, spices used in our everyday cooking are carminative, and thus support the digestive process in a number of ways.
That doesn’t mean that every spice works for every dish—or for every palate for that matter. While kitchen experimentation is always a great idea, there are also some tried-and-true spice blends that have stood the test of time and in some cases become cross-cultural superstars. We’ll explore a few of these, below. For the most part, these blends are composed of dried herbs and spices and will be prepared in similar ways. There are also a few guidelines to keep in mind about working with dried spices that will apply across to all of these blends. Let’s discuss these first.
When you purchase spices, note their appearance. Do they appear bright, vibrant, and uniform in color? If they are ground or powdered, do they clump up inside their packaging (depending on the spice, this could indicate that they’ve been exposed to moisture or condensation)? If you can smell them, is the aroma prominent or subtle? Asking these questions can provide some clues about the quality of the spices you purchase and the flavors that will result.
Like all herbs, spices lose their taste and aroma over time; this is accelerated when they’re exposed to heat or direct sunlight. That’s why it’s not the best idea to keep your dried herbs in that cabinet directly over or next to the stove (or near the dishwasher or on top of the refrigerator, for that matter). Your best bet to preserve color and flavor is to store spices in a cool, dry place, away from windows (and/or in dark glass containers or tins).
Volatile oils are what makes spices aromatic and provide rich flavor. In this case, volatility refers to the ease with which molecules of aromatic compounds can disperse out of a plant and into the air. To retain peak flavor and aroma, purchase high-quality, whole spices whenever possible, and then grind them yourself as needed using a mortar and pestle, a hand-operated spice mill, or a coffee grinder. This will minimize the surface area exposed to the air, and maximize the aromatic oils within the plant.
Another tip for keeping your spices fresh is to store them in airtight containers, like glass jars with screw tops, plastic containers with snug-fitting lids, or tins. What not to do: store spices in paper bags, or exposed in the refrigerator.
5 Herbal Spice Blends To Make And Use
Some of the most pungent spices are found in some of the hottest climates in the world—cayenne and other chile peppers, cinnamon, and peppercorns among them (Dalby, 2000). This is convenient, because interestingly, the diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) action of these heating herbs actually serves as a means for cooling the body. The spice blend recipes below are great for heating up your taste buds.
1. Spicy Dry Rub
Speaking of heat, it’s barbeque season in the United States (and in some parts of the world it’s always time to fire up the grill!) and one winning way to prep foods for the fire is to use a dry rub. This kind of a blend is kind of a variation on marinating. These spices are literally massaged into the meat to be cooked and left to sit for several hours, or overnight, allowing the spices to penetrate.
Dry rubs don’t have to be limited to meat, however. I use this blend in grilled corn on the cob. To do this, soak the corn in water for 30 minutes, gently peel back the husks to remove the cornsilk, mix the spices with butter or coconut oil, and replace the husk before placing on the grill.
Spicy Dry Rub Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried oregano 2 tablespoons dried basil 2 tablespoons thyme 1 tablespoon dried sage 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 tablespoons raw/turbinado sugar Coarse sea salt Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days before using. (Tip: Wait for 3-4 days before using the blend, to allow flavors to marry.)
2. Berbere
Berbere could be described as the National Spice of Ethiopia (and Eritrea), whose cuisines depend heavily on this rich, spicy reddish-brown blend. Berbere is used to season meats, beans, and is sometimes mixed with oil and used as a dip for the spongy teff-based sourdough bread known as injera which accompanies meals.
Berbere Ingredients ½ cup ground chile powder (not cayenne!) 1/3 cup smoked paprika 3 tablespoons coarse sea salt 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¾ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
3. In a Pickle
Like many blends, pickling spice is one that people adapt to their own taste. This is mine—heavy on the garlic, with a little red pepper for a kick. With cucumbers coming into season, this is the perfect time to try this blend. I also love this blend for pickled green tomatoes and okra.
Pickling Spice Ingredients 2 tablespoons mustard seed 1 tablespoon whole allspice 2 teaspoons coriander seeds ¼ teaspoon ground clove 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 bay leaf, crumbled 1 tablespoon dehydrated or granulated garlic
Directions
Combine mustard seeds, allspice, coriander, and red pepper in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake to combine.
Add ground ginger, clove and garlic powder to the mix and shake again.
Sprinkle crumbled bay leaves over the mixture, seal the jar, and shake one last time.
Just as berbere is particular to one part of the globe, every place has its go-to spices. The following two recipes are distinctive ones with global flavor to add to your cooking repertoire.
4. Herbes de Provence
The herbs of Provence in southeastern France (there are many!) are a mainstay in kitchens of that region and are used to flavor everything from cheeses to savory main dishes to desserts (Brennan, 1998). This is one version, but feel free to play with proportions to suit your tastes or add other herbs native to the region, including chervil, fennel, mint, even orange zest.
Herbes de Provence Ingredients 3 tablespoons oregano leaves 3 tablespoons thyme leaves 1 teaspoon basil leaves 1 teaspoon tarragon 1 teaspoon sage leaf 2 tablespoons summer savory 2 teaspoons lavender flowers 1 teaspoon rosemary 2 crushed bay leaves
Directions
Combine ingredients well in a small mixing bowl. Store in an air-tight container.
5. Za’atar
Za’atar is a popular Middle Eastern spice blend that is tangy, zesty, and textured all at once. Traditionally, it is used to season everything from grilled kebobs to bread, but it brings out the best in lots of foods. (For a Western twist, try sprinkling it over popcorn—yum!). Because this combines fresh and dried ingredients, be sure to use it within a week for optimum freshness.
Za'atar Ingredients 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or oregano 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted 2 teaspoons ground sumac 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
Mix ingredients well in a small mixing bowl or use a mortar and pestle to blend. Store refrigerated in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Do you want to learn more?
Have fun personalizing these blends to your own tastes, or try using them in surprising ways or in recipes that you already make regularly. Consider giving these blends—or mixtures of your own creation—as gifts in lovely decorative jars. And remember that when it comes to spice blends, a recipe is only a suggestion!
In collaboration and affiliation with Herbal Academy
ABOUT POST AUTHOR
Ayo Ngozi, M.S. is a community and clinical herbalist and educator based in New Bedford, MA. As an Herbal Academy team member she helped create course curriculum, wrote course lessons, and supported budding and advanced herbalists as part of the Education Department. In 2019 she founded The Creative Root to help people connect to their healing and creative birthrights.
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The Herbal Academy supports trusted organizations with the use of affiliate links. Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
REFERENCES
Brennan, E. (1998). Herbes de Provence: Cooking with the herbs of southern France. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
Dalby, A. (2000). Dangerous tastes: The story of spices. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
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