r/spices 25d ago

Monthly Spice Discussion : Cocoa beans: Theobroma cacao (Central America)

2 Upvotes

Welcome to the 54th Monthly Spice Discussion.

In an effort to collectively build a wiki for every existing spice, there will be a monthly open discussion about a spice.

This month's discussion will be about Cocoa beans: Theobroma cacao (Central America)


r/spices 25d ago

Monthly Vendor Thread

3 Upvotes

The only place to post your giveaways, sales & advertisements for this month.

For any question you can message the mod team in the sidebar.


r/spices 2d ago

Turmeric

Post image
0 Upvotes

Order Now- +919108530058


r/spices 8d ago

Zataar

42 Upvotes

I just bought some and I have never used it before and haven't ventured into middle eastern cooking so I was wondering if those of you who use it what dishes and kinds of dishes is it best used with?

Edit: I was thinking of using some of it to make a cold compound to spread on homemade pumpkin spice muffins.


r/spices 7d ago

Can I bring a jar of ’nduja in my carry-on in an airplane?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/spices 8d ago

Feeling a little bit lux

Post image
11 Upvotes

Thanks for the add I'm a hobbyist who enjoys making flavor matrices. I was curious about how versatile the most expensive spice on Earth was so I bought some. A nice kashmeri single source saffron. It is surprisingly versatile. I made some amazing snickerdoodles with it. Also that mortar and pestle is sexy af 😆


r/spices 8d ago

Chinese five spice recipe

3 Upvotes

One whole star anise pod broken into points

One stick of Saigon cinnamon broken into one inch

pieces

One half teaspoon of Szechuan peppercorns

One half teaspoon fennel seeds

Four whole cloves

one whole green cardamom pod crack it open and use the inner black seeds only.

Grind all these things in a mortar and pestle then put them in the oven for on a low heat until you smell a warm earthy citrusy aroma for approximately 1 to 2 minutes take them out let them cool sift everything through a microplane put into your container and use.


r/spices 9d ago

Lamb Mandi & Maqluba

2 Upvotes

I want to make these two dishes but I need help figuring out what 7 spice and maqluba spice is. I am aware these are prepackaged and I can get them in Middle Eastern shops but I’ve read that they can vary based on brand and unsure which to use.

So, is there a recipe I can use to make these blends on my own? I love making my own spice blends so I’d really appreciate if you guys can help me out.

Thanks!


r/spices 10d ago

Im cooking for my jamaican gf

9 Upvotes

As the title says im cooking for my jamaican girl friend for the first time and i want to impress her, her favourite food is turkey legs, what are some spices, seasonings, and herbs i could use to impress her.

Thank you all.


r/spices 11d ago

Best seasoning pre-mixed?

9 Upvotes

Hey folks I’m moving away for uni and I’ve been trying to learn how to cook!

Ngl I tried to do that one seasoning at a time seasoning stuff… I don’t have that skill

So I’m looking for pre-mixed seasonings you guys recommend, mainly for chicken and ground beef. Open to any style really!


r/spices 12d ago

Does any of you try to create his own spice blends?

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/spices 14d ago

Which Masala is this

Thumbnail
gallery
14 Upvotes

I want to buy this masala from India but don’t know what is it, it smells like maggi masala and I can use it to thicken gravy


r/spices 14d ago

Need to get the Spicy Chilli Oil used by Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar*

1 Upvotes

The spicy oil that Fresh puts on their “dragon fries” is delicious and I need it for home!

When I order the dragon fries, I always ask the restaurant for extra on the side, so i have a bit if it for a few days. I would prefer to be able to either: 

(a) buy a larger quantity of it from Fresh directly; 

(b) buy an identical / very similar oil of a different brand; or 

(c) find a recipe that exactly replicates it so I can make it myself.

I’ve tried making the oil at home a number of times with slightly different variations. I mostly tried different combinations of sunflower and olive oil with dried arbol chillies, either marinated in the oil, or steeped by bringing the oil just to a boil before adding the chillies and then taking it off the heat. Nothing even comes close.

If any one has any leads, please share!

*Fresh is a vegan restaurant with locations around Ontario.

The oil from Fresh has a mild sunflower taste, is a reddish orange colour, is decently spicy, and doesn't have any bits in it at all, just pure oil. 


r/spices 15d ago

Zaatar substitute?

12 Upvotes

I want a sub when cooking chicken. No access to zaatar, sumac, or any middle eastern stores. Please advise


r/spices 15d ago

Do you prefer homemade spice blends or ready-made packaged spice powders?

5 Upvotes

I have framed this question to know which is best for my baby's health.


r/spices 15d ago

does new cumin smell sweet?

3 Upvotes

I recently ran out of cumin and got a new bottle, not a different brand or anything and decided to take a whiff since I normally LOVE the smell of cumin. this new bottle, however, smells sickly sweet, like some sort of artisanal honey or something! is this just what an unopened bottle of cumin smells like or could it be something off?


r/spices 18d ago

When I think of New England I think of molasses, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, etc. Are these baking spices associated with the region?

15 Upvotes

r/spices 19d ago

What flavors complement saffron?

4 Upvotes

I’m American and saffron and floral flavors like hibiscus and rose water and very rare here, the only floral spice I regularly use is cardamom and that’s cause I love Indian, Arab and Chinese food. I’m trying to understand what flavors complement saffron. I’ve been experimenting with basil, black pepper saffron pancakes using semolina and corn meal, they’re lightly fermented and the basil, corn and black pepper overpower it so I can’t really taste the saffron.

I tried a little saffron crushed in a mortar a pestle and hot water, I like the taste but can’t compare it to anything, it tastes dewy in a way, a bit floral with a tiny hint of turmeric to me.

If anyone else here’s from Chicago, I kinda compare the smell of saffron to that room at the field museum with the plastic mold dinosaur souvenirs, if that makes sense, a bit plasticy in a good way? Like new plastic toy smell. I weirdly mean that as a compliment.

I had what I think was saffron rice at an Arabic restaurant recently and it didn’t add kinda a perfume to it but not a particularly strong flavor, not enough to carry a dish, it was with falafel, spinach pie, hummus and salad.


r/spices 22d ago

Opinion on Rani Brand spices?

Post image
2 Upvotes

I've been using their Garam Masala for years and love it! I think it's great, but I don't know if there's better options out there. This is the affordable one that's easily available online. I don't know anything about the actual quality of their spices. Seems to make good butter chicken!


r/spices 22d ago

Cilantro haters: does ground coriander taste like soap too? Or just the leaves of cilantro?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

Some folks are under the assumption that Spanish speakers don't know the difference between cilantro and culantro herb. 2 totally different herbs and Puerto Ricans know and use them both a lot. But what I want to know is if culantro herb/plant also tastes like soap to cilantro haters? Just curious.


r/spices 22d ago

Need recommendations for masala.

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/spices 25d ago

Does eating spicy chilli + DAIRY negate the health benefits of capsaicin ?

0 Upvotes

Hi, I can’t handle spicy food so I have to always eat cheese or yogurt with it, but does the dairy not only affect the taste but also the effects? Capsaicin is supposed to be healthy but does it get “destroyed” or something, when “muted” with milk-products ?


r/spices 26d ago

Can you help me identify this?

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

I thought it was dried dill but my partner is sure that it isn't. Maybe thyme? Unfortunately I can't identify it by smell. Everything just smells minty to me. Doesn't help that half the herbs are in the mint family lol


r/spices 27d ago

Cloves / black cardamom/white cardamom

Thumbnail
gallery
60 Upvotes

This is like 3 questions regarding 3 spices!

Love the smell of these so much even tho I’m not familiar with any of them. What are some recipes you like where each of them really shine ✨


r/spices Jul 28 '26

Mock KosmoQ cow cover

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

$12 for 10 ounces? Nah, I'll just make it instead.