Spices are buds, bark, roots, berries and seeds harvested in tropical regions of the world. They have a long, fascinating history as some of the world's oldest traded goods. Ancient Egyptians valued spices for a multitude of uses- perfumes, incense, medicinal purposes, as well as flavoring and preserving foods. Today, spices are prized for enhancing the flavor, aroma, texture and dietary quality of dishes we enjoy.
WHAT are spice blends?
Spice blends are simply a mixture of different spices. What we know as Indian masalas or curries are just that- a mix of different spices. If you visited India, you would quickly learn that every household has a different masala- sometimes one family's masala may contain up to 25 spices! It's important to understand how certain spices complement each other- just as some spices dont mix well together. For example, I bet you could not imagine Italian spaghetti sauce without the blend of spices like- rosemary, thyme, basil and oregano, to mention a few. That's what we do so well- we mix a unique blend of spices that eliminates the guesswork for you to figure out how to do it. We encourage you to mix your own spices too- simply experiment with your favorite spices to add in your cooking.
HOW do I use spices in my cooking?
In addition to our provided recipes, our favorite word of advice? PRACTICE- if you're new to cooking with spices, start out by adding just a pinch of one spice to your dish, then slowly add another spice that will complement it.
What if... I add too much spice to my dish?
The beauty of our recipes is that the spiciness of each dish can be adjusted to your taste without compromising its goodness. If a recipe calls for a tablespoon of spice, reduce it to teaspoon if you prefer a mildly spiced dish. For a fiery dish, add 1 teaspoon of spice instead of a teaspoon. Too much spice in your dish for your liking? Simply add a teaspoon or two of honey or sugar to cool it down.
How should I store my spices?
Spices should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat, light and air. I bet some of you store your spices in glass jars on a rack near the stove, right? Although this may look pretty, the heat from your stove will shorten the life of your spices so keep them away from your stove!
What is the shelf life of Spices?
Spices have a shelf life of 2-3 years. Spices are best bought in small quantities as they loose their potency over time. How to tell if your spices are fresh? Check the spices' color, scent and finally the taste! To freshen up old spices? Take the spices, crush in your hands before adding to your dish or dry-roast them in a skillet to release the aroma.
What are spices?
Spices are buds, bark, roots, berries and seeds harvested in tropical regions of the world. They have a long, fascinating history as some of the world's oldest traded goods. Ancient Egyptians valued spices for a multitude of uses- perfumes, incense, medicinal purposes, as well as flavoring and preserving foods. Today, spices are prized for enhancing the flavor, aroma, texture and dietary quality of dishes we enjoy. 
Spice blends are simply a mixture of different spices. What we know as Indian masalas or curries are just that- a mix of different spices. If you visited India, you would quickly learn that every household has a different masala- sometimes one family's masala may contain up to 25 spices! It's important to understand how certain spices complement each other- just as some spices dont mix well together.
In addition to our provided recipes, our favorite word of advice? PRACTICE- if you're new to cooking with spices, start out by adding just a pinch of one spice to your dish, then slowly add another spice that will complement it.
Spices should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat, light and air. I bet some of you store your spices in glass jars on a rack near the stove, right? Although this may look pretty, the heat from your stove will shorten the life of your spices so keep them away from your stove!