The foundation to the varied flavors in Middle Eastern cuisine is the Middle Eastern spices. These spices are what make the cuisine Mediterranean. These spices not only add that distinct flavor to the cuisine, but these are what make these dishes colorful.
Common Middle Eastern Spices
1. Cumin is very strong and spicy. This has to be used sparingly and is an important ingredient in merguez sausages as well as couscous. Ground cumin is usually added to Turkey meat and a variety of vegetables.
2. Nutmeg is a common spice used in many cultural cuisines. This is a favorite spice used to enhance the flavors of meats like lamb and Turkey.
3. Cardamom is a spice that flavors many Middle Eastern drinks especially Turkish coffee.
4. Turmeric, or kurkum, has moderately bitter flavor that is very commonly used to spice up meats and vegetables. It lends a yellow color to the dishes made.
5. Suma has a sour and lemony taste and can be used as a substitute to lemons.
6. Caraway is a spice that is both sweet and spicy with an aftertaste similar to the herb dill.
7. Aniseed is considered as one of the world’s oldest spices. It is a popular spice used in drinks and some sweets. It is also known for its medicinal properties.
8. Baharat is not technically a single spice. It is, instead, a combination of seven spices and the flavors can be as varied as the numerous counties in the Middle East. The spices used depends on what spices are available at that time. Usually homemade, there are now commercial blends available in the market known as Seven Spices or Sebah Baharat.
9. Allspice is usually used in desserts but this is also used to flavor meats for stews.
10. Cinnamon is a common spice many cultures use but in the Middle East, it is one of the main ingredients used to make up the Baharat.
11. One popular addition to any dish is the Black Lemon. This is an ingredient used in Middle Eastern cuisine and are, in fact, not lemons. These are limes that have been boiled and then sun-dried. This results to a tangy, and yet earthy, flavor that is considered a spice all on its own.
Popular chicken and beef dishes are usually rubbed with a combination of spices used as a dry rub. The spices cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic and ginger are mixed together and used to rub on meats. This rub can be prepared well in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to several months.
Bread plays a large role in this cuisine. Pita bread is more commonly served basted with olive oil and dipped in Dukkah. This is a spice mixture made from sesame seeds, hazelnuts, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, salt, black peppercorns, and chickpeas.
Middle Eastern cuisine has evolved through thousands of years and has been considered one of the most influential cuisines in the world. Thanks to the Crusades and the Spice Trade, its influence has reached Europe and extended all the way to Asia. Thanks to the Middle Eastern spices spread around the world, there are now many flavorful choices in many different forms.
Middle Eastern Spices Most Commonly Used
Caribbean Spices That Add Flavor To The Multi-Influenced Cuisine
Caribbean spices are what make the cuisine distinct, even if the spices are commonly found in homes around the world. It is how these spices are used with dishes that make the multi-influenced Caribbean culture distinctive from all the rest.
Common Caribbean Spices
The spices commonly used in Caribbean dishes are very familiar: cinnamon, ginger, allspice, annatto, cloves, garlic, habanero chiles, mace, nutmeg, lime, onion, pepper, scallions, thyme, and tamarind. It is noticeable that many of these spices are Asian one. This is because of the extensive Spanish influence that pictured high on the spice trade. These spices can be found at any regular grocery store, there is no need to go out of one’s way just to find these. The spices are inexpensive and no one can rightfully claim they have difficulty in finding these.
Caribbean cuisine is a product of many influencing cultures namely African, British, Dutch, Indian, Spanish, Chinese and Amerindian. The dishes are both savory and sweet with the spices playing a large role to make this possible. There are also the side dishes like chutneys and curries that are also highly spiced.
One of the most popular dishes are the meats that are ‘jerked’ before they are cooked. These ‘jerks’ are simply spice rubs which are usually made from cloves, allspice, peppers, nutmeg, thyme, cinnamon, garlic and scallions. All types of meats are rubbed extensively with these combination spices and can be cooked either grilled or broiled. Those who like to marinate meats instead of rubbing them, a mixture of chilies, ginger and lime can be used instead to add to the layers of flavor.
The Caribbean cuisine is a combination of many flavors like spicy and fruity. The Caribbean islands are very rich in fresh fruits and vegetable produce that are made flavorful with the addition of the many spices. The unusual combination of sweet fruits and the hot or warm spices act as palate enhancers or as appetizers and should not be limited to just eating the Caribbean cuisine either. These can be made at home in just a few minutes and can be stored in the refrigerators or freezers to be taken out at any time. Eaten with a simply grilled chicken or ribs can add a new dimension to the barbecue.
One of the more popular dishes are sea foods and the combinations of shrimp, coriander leaves, lime and peppers make a wonderful ceviche that can be served with barbecued ribs and other meats. This is a refreshing dish best served cold in warm days.
What makes the Caribbean dishes so different from all the rest out there is because of history. The Caribbean islands were at the center of the spice trade that went on for hundreds of years. Through its lands passed through many cultural influences that can be tasted in their cuisine. It is thanks to these numerous influences that have influenced the indigenous peoples to make use of the many Caribbean spices to create the mouthwatering and irresistible dishes that is a mixture of taste and dimension.
Popular Asian Spices – The Health Benefits Of Cinnamon And Its Possible Dangers
One of the most popular Asian spices is cinnamon. Most are familiar with this warm and sweet spice used in traditional American dishes like Apple Pie. However, this spice does not just make the holidays smell good, it does the body good, too.
The cinnamon was first recorded in history around the 13th century. This spice, grew Sri Lanka, a family of the laurel tree, and for millennium its people had used it to augment the flavors of food and for its medicinal properties.
The following are just some of the common medicinal uses for Asian Spices (Cinnamon)
Colds
Flatulence
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation
For increase in energy
Blood circulation
Control blood pressure
Control of diabetes
Indigestion
Assists in the digestion of dairy products and fruits
There is sufficient scientific proof that the cinnamon is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels. People with Type 2 diabetes can be given up to 6 grams of cinnamon pills every day. Each dose is equivalent from a fourth to around one teaspoon full. It can effectively reduce blood glucose levels up to 29% and cholesterol for up to 27%.
For those who are trying to lose weight, the same amount can be taken as a fat burner. Taken with coffee, those who wish to lose their hard to rid of weight can rely on this natural fat burner to melt the fat from the body. The downside is that some individuals can experience some loose bowel movement when taking this.
To take advantage of the medicinal properties of the cinnamon, no one can be limited to taking it in pill form. It can simply be added in portions with tea or coffee, or it can be taken when eating foods like Apple Pie. The downside to taking the spice with dessert, however, is obvious.
Some Possible Dangers
Although the spice is reliable as both a food spice and as a natural remedy, diabetics are cautioned to consult their doctor. Only take the spice under the full supervision of yourdoctor for it can drive the blood glucose levels down to dangerous levels. Patients with diabetes should not discontinue their medications in favor of the spice without prior consultation with the doctor.
One danger for using the spice without prior consultation with the doctor is its potential to damage the liver. The spice is commonly found in grocery stores all over the world. This grocery type spice usually comes from the Cassia cinnamon which contains Coumarin. This is a natural compound found in some plants like chamomile, celery, parsley, and sweet clover. If the user takes large doses of this spice, they can endanger their liver for it can thin the blood. This can become a medical emergency if the user also takes anti-clotting or blood thinning medications like aspirin. It is especially important for those with bleeding disorders not to overuse or abuse this spice. Pregnant women should also avoid taking too much of Asian spices such as the cinnamon, especially in supplementary form without consulting first with their doctor.
