This web page requires JavaScript. Please enable JavaScript and reload the web page.
Χαρακτηριστικά μπαχαρικών:
Vanilla is widely used in sweet recipes and in the preparation of beverages. The use of vanilla extends from children’s creams to ice creams and from sweet pastries to the traditional Greek “submarine” (a nugget of vanilla in a glass of cold water). It has been shown that vanilla eases digestion and stimulates our body’s nervous system. In addition, its aroma, one of the most pleasant, sweet and relaxing ones, is considered to uplift the mood. Find out by yourselves! Place a little bit of vanilla in a hot oven and delight in the emerging fragrant smell...
Cloves, which you can obtain either in powder or whole buds, have a strong sweet flavor. If you \
try them, they have a slightly bitter taste and leave a wooden sense in the mouth, which is modulated \
when cooked and combined with other ingredients. They are used both in foods and pastries. If you use \
them to make traditional desserts, combine them with cinnamon. If you add them in foods with meat or \
in sauces, combine them with allspice, nutmeg and pepper. However, in all cases, use them in small \
quantities. In case you are a fan of hot drinking chocolate, try chocolate flavored with cloves. \
Cloves are famous for their profound antiseptic action, relieve toothache, nausea and have \
anti-cancer attributes.
Star anise is the ingredient that provides a special smell to liqueurs and aperitifs. The most \
well-known of them is the Greek ouzo and the French pastis. It is said that the best star anise in the world \
flourishes in the Greek island of Mytilene. Besides its aroma, its calmative \
attributes are characteristic and thus, it is administered, as a tranquillizer, to babies that \
suffer from colics.
",
Spearmint, which has common aromatic attributes with peppermint, is used either as a spice or as \
an infusion. Its aroma, even though it is fairly intense, is pleasantly natural. As an \
infusion, spearmint is digestive and calmative and it is recommended in cases of insomnia and \
headache. In addition, it is used in many medicine products, the most typical of \
which are throat pastilles.
Crush cardamom seeds in a mortar to release their smell. In the beginning, they have a piercing \
camphor odor coupled with pergamont smell. Their fruity aroma may flavour a lot of savoury dishes. \
Cardamom is contained in many of the most well-known fragrances as well as in some varieties \
of Arabic coffee.
Curry is an Indian spice that appears prominently in eastern cuisine. It has been reported that \
usual consumption of curry may prevent weight accumulation. Curry is mainly used in chicken-based dishes.
Kakoules looks like white cores. If you don’t have it in ground form, open the cores, roast the \
seeds and afterwards, crush them in the mortar. Its divine aroma has been inextricably associated \
with the Greek traditional pastry, the “trsoureki”. However, it may greatly accompany pork.
Cinnamon is the finest of all spices with extensive uses both in savoury dishes and confectionary products. \
Its main characteristic is its pleasantly sweet, delicate and yet, intense aroma. It attributes a heady smell \
to dishes and flavours drinks and beverages. Be careful, though, and do not exaggerate with the quantity. \
Try cinnamon with rice, marinades, red meat, poultry, fish, and even in the Greek traditional baked pasta dish “pastitsio”. \
In ancient times, cinnamon was highly appreciated for its remarkable pharmaceutical effects. Scientific research has reported that cinnamon effectively lowers blood glucose & cholesterol levels in people with diabetes. \
In addition, it is suggested in cases of indigestion and its antibacterial action has been confirmed. \
Lastly, it is used as a substance in the perfume market!
Over the past few years, pine nuts have earned lots of fame, as they are always present in feast \
or celebration dinners as well as included in the menu of the finest restaurants. Before using them, \
slightly roast them or brown them with a little bit of oil. Sprinkle pine nuts on your salads, \
mix them with other ingredients to prepare dressings and with no hesitation, or add them in the \
stuffing for the christmas turkey.
Cream of tartar is a substance basically used in meringues to achieve maximum volume. Also, \
it helps us to accomplish a creamy texture in sugar desserts and assists flaky pastries to become \
crumbly. When you make cakes and cookies, you may mix flour with cream of tartar and baking soda, \
instead of baking powder.
Saffron, the most expensive of all spices, is derived from the dried stigmas of the flower of saffron \
crocus. The variety cultivated in the Greek region of Kozani has been proven to be of premium quality, \
perhaps the best worldwide. Saffron has distinctive, pungent aroma and penetrating, yet pleasant, \
taste. A minimal quantity (2-3 fibers) is sufficient to flavor a large dish and to colour \
it with a luminous yellow-orange color. It is a primary ingredient in Italian risotto and Spanish \
paella. Prior to adding saffron in your food, dilute it with water or else sprinkle it on your \
soups a little before serving them. As for its beneficial properties, saffron relieves stomachache, \
is very effective in lowering cholesterol levels, protects the heart, boosts spiritual clarity and \
counters digestive problems and even, mild depression.
Red pepper might be either sweet or hot. However, be careful not to confuse them, because, \
while they may be used for \
the same dishes, the outcome will be undoubtedly different!
Coriander, whose leaves look much alike parsley, has intense smell and taste. Its taste is more delicate \
when used dried (in seeds or in ground form). It is used as a taste adjuster and may be \
combined with all spices, but mainly with cumin. It is also used in the preparation of some liqueurs and in \
brewing certain styles of beer.
Cumin is a spice with distinctive aroma and strong flavour. If you visit the Greek island of \
Mytilene, do not hesitate to taste the delicious meat balls with ouzo and cumin. It is also \
used for the preparation of an infusion with beneficial attributes. It strengthens the \
heart, counters indigestion and stomachaches and stimulates the appetite!
White pepper is less fragrant than the black one. It is recommended for dishes where \
you wish to provoke a mild burning sensation, avoiding, at the same time, a strong, penetrating \
taste.
Flax is a plant cultivated mostly for its fibers, which are used for the production of linen \
fabrics. Flax seeds may be used to make infusions with cooling and calming properties.
This substance comes from the mastic trees, which are located exclusively in the southern part \
of the Greek island of Chios. Thanks to its exceptional aroma, it is considered to be unique \
and has gained the whole world. It has been the first natural gum aiming at breath freshening. \
When added in bread, cheese or meat, it attributes a delicate aroma. It is extensively used in \
confectionary products, especially in desserts and sweetie treats. In addition, mastic \
oil is used in distillery as a flavoring for liqueurs and ouzo, and due to its great curing \
activity, it is an ingredient in a lot of medicine and cosmetic products. Chios Mastiha has \
a natural antimicrobial activity, is very effective in treating diseases of the digestive \
system, has digestive properties and enhances the health of teeth and gums.
Its indisputably magnificent aroma has made it an essential ingredient for the preparation of \
some Greek traditional pastries, such as the Greek Easter “tsoureki”. If you buy it \
in whole seeds and not in ground form, you have to roast them till the aroma is set free and \
then, crush them in the mortar. Alternatively, you may boil it in water, drain and use the \
water which has adopted its fragrance and taste.
With an aromatic, slightly sweet flavor, nutmeg is the essential ingredient in order to \
successfully prepare a fluffy béchamel sauce. You may find nutmeg, either ground \
in powder, or the whole seeds, so as to use it freshly ground in order to preserve its rich, \
penetrating aroma. Use it in small quantities.
Mustard is recommended while cooking with other liquid ingredients (oil, stock, wine etc.). \
Be careful with the quantity, for it has an extremely intense taste!
Baking powder is corn flour which is used in combination with flour \
in cakes to increase their volume when baked. It is also used in fudges, pastries and fluffy \
fried sweets.
It stands out for its exceptional aromatic particularity, since it couples the flavours of pepper, cinnamon, \
cloves and nutmeg. Allspice assists the digestion of the fat substances of foods. If you like its smell, do \
not hesitate to add it in all your dishes.
It is the Greek version of chili pepper and is made of hot peppers from northern Greece. It \
fits in most cooked dishes. For the fans of spicy food, it is an essential ingredient in hot \
sauces and in hot saganaki (a Greek appetizer of fried cheese), that will take you off!!! As \
some of you might already know, hot chili pepper accompanies \"patsas\" (a tripe dish), \
which is one of the best dishes after an all night out with many drinks!
For those of you who are not bold enough to use the hot chilli pepper, you can try the sweet chili pepper, which \
is not at all hot. You may also combine it with a little bit of hot chili pepper, so as to get a more \
desirable outcome.
Citric acid, which looks like ground coconut, exists in fruits, most notably in lemons and other \
citrus fruits. It is used to add aroma or as a natural conservative in foods and non alcoholic \
drinks, such as lemonade. It is an ingredient in many candy and biscuit products, and it \
is referred to as E330 on the package.
Poppy seeds have a delicate, pleasant aroma and strong taste. In order to make their taste even \
more intense, roast them a little bit before using them. They are widely used in some varieties \
of bread, to which they provide a unique and distinctive character. In Turkey, \
poppy seeds are typically added in the halvah. The oil derived from poppy seeds is used in making soaps and \
cosmetics.
Black pepper is the most common and widely used spice in the whole world. It is not surprising \
that pepper and salt are the fundamental ingredients in cookery. Its intense aroma and its full \
taste are sufficient to elevate the flavour of all dishes. It is included in all the cooking \
recipes, without exception. It may be coupled with other spices in order to obtain a more \
sophisticated savour result. Its difference from white pepper lies on the procedure of production; \
black pepper is produced by grinding the seed with the outer skin, whereas white pepper by \
grinding just the seed.
Ginger, after having been cooked, has a spicy aroma and a bitter-sweet taste. It is widely used in Chinese \
cuisine and flavours all savoury dishes. It is also \
used in cocktails!
Ginger, apart from its culinary uses, has a great nutritional value. It has a reputation for its anti-cancer and antioxidant activity, assists digestion and stimulation of the human body, lowers the level of cholesterol and adjusts the level of blood-sugar.
It is not other than the black pepper, whose seeds have been collected and dried while they are still immature. \
You may use it without hesitation in all the dishes like black pepper.
It has been strongly related to the aroma of the Greek countryside. It is one of the most \
fundamental ingredients in the Greek cuisine and it is widely spread in the Mediterranean \
natural diet. It is an essential ingredient in the Greek salad and in appetizers \
with feta cheese and tomato, such as the fried cheese with tomato and green peppers. Oregano \
mixed with olive oil attributes a delicious and healthy note to grilled meat and barbecues. \
Adding oregano to the meat, not only elevates its flavor, but also increases its nutritional \
value, since oregano is a natural source of fibers and iron, and has profound antioxidant \
activity.
Pink pepper granules are easily crushed and ground. This is the reason why pink pepper’s maintenance requires high \
caution. Its granules are not at all hot but spread a marvelous aroma.
Salep flour is the primary ingredient for salep drink, the well known beverage which originates \
from Istanbul. In order to make the salep drink, boil the flour into milk or water \
and add sugar or honey, depending on how sweet you would like it to be. You may also flavour it \
with cinnamon, cloves and ginger. However, you should be careful with the quantity; only a \
little bit of the flour is required, since 1 kilo of salep flour is equivalent with about \
150 glasses of drink. Salep drink is tasty and aromatic and it should be drunk burning hot. It has pharmaceutical and calmative attributes, induces euphoria, sends away stress and \
tiredness, revives the exhausted organisms, and is highly recommended in cases of cold, asthma, \
sore throat and stomachache. Furthermore, salep flour, coupled with vanilla, may be used in ice \
creams, for it has the ability to solidify like gelatin.
Black mustard seeds have strong flavor and smell. They are considerably spicier than the white ones and they are widely used in Indian cuisine. As for their curing properties, \
black mustard seeds are used in patches for the relief of muscular pains, since they provoke \
venous congestion and improve the blood circulation.
It is generally used in the same dishes as fresh garlic, with the unique difference that its taste is not \
so pungent. Moreover, it has all the beneficial properties of garlic, which mainly focus on its antimicrobial \
action and the treatment of high blood pressure.
They have been introduced to us from their use in bakery and confectionary. They are used to \
decorate and flavor breads and other baked goods as well as various pastries. Since they \
endure in high temperature, a superb idea is to coat chicken with sesame seeds before you \
bake it or to sprinkle them over your pies. For stronger taste, try black sesame seeds. Sesame \
seeds have miraculous effect against cholesterol and high blood pressure, induce healthiness and euphoria, and therefore, they should be part of our every day diet. They yield sesame oil, which is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants and is high in vitamins, \
calcium, magnesium and iron.
Fenugreek is a mix of spices and garlic. Do you happen to know that fenugreek is used in the \
preparation of pastirma? However, do not hesitate to use it in your dishes…
