Spices That Keep You Warm During Fall
Fall is upon us, and as the leaves change and temperatures drop, we turn to spices to add warmth and comfort to our dishes. In this article we explore the spices from cinnamon to nutmeg that make you warm during fall.
Spice Spotlight: Pumpkin Spice
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To help you keep warm this fall, we will take a look at 5 warming spices.
1. Cinnamon
There's no denying that cinnamon is the star of fall spices. This spice instantly transports you to autumn. Harris Spice is dedicated to sourcing the finest cinnamon from around the world, ensuring the highest quality cinnamon reaches your kitchen.
Flavor Profile:
Cinnamon is known for its sweet, woody aroma and warm taste. The primary compound responsible for its flavor and aroma is cinnamaldehyde.
Culinary Uses:
Cinnamon is a beloved spice that adds a delightful twist to both sweet and savory dishes. A few of its culinary uses are: Cinnamon rolls, meat rubs and even in beverages like chai tea.
Warming Properties:
Cinnamon is considered a warming spice because it can create a sensation of warmth in the body when ingested. This is attributed to cinnamaldehyde, which activates sensory receptors in the mouth and throat.
Health Benefits:
Cinnamon is not only a flavorful spice but also associated with potential health benefits. It’s rich with antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative damage and may lower the risk of chronic diseases. Cinnamaldehyde and other compounds in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory properties that may contribute to reducing inflammation and associated health issues.
Its sweet, woody aroma, and its embrace instantly transports you to autumn's warmth.
Cinnamon Varieties:
At Harris Spice, we offer a wide range of cinnamon varieties. At Harris Spice, you can find conventional, RFA (Rainforest Alliance certified), and organic cinnamon Korintji (Indonesia) at various VO (Vanilla Oleoresin) levels, including A, B, and Economy. This diverse selection allows us to hit different price points while maintaining the exceptional quality you expect from us.
Sourcing:
Sourcing spices across harvest seasons involves transporting and storing them in a cool environment to maintain freshness and availability. We adhere to rigorous cleaning standards, utilizing methods like hand-sorting, sifters, gravity tables, air-classifiers, and fiber extractors for thorough filth removal.
Unique Processing Method:
We achieve exceptional SVO (Vanilla Oleoresin) levels, reaching up to 5.5%, by meticulously sourcing cinnamon during the season and processing it in our cryo-grinder. This results in unparalleled flavor and aroma.
Cryo-Grinding and Packaging:
At Harris Spice, we employ cryo-grinding and advanced packaging methods. These approaches are carefully designed to preserve the freshness of our spices while safeguarding their essential oils and aroma.
The Cryomilling Process:
Our cryomilling process incorporates the use of cooling or chilling liquid Nitrogen on our cinnamon, followed by the reduction of the spice into fine particles. This meticulous technique ensures that only the finest cinnamon reaches our customers, guaranteeing an exquisite culinary experience.
2. Nutmeg
Nutmeg, another autumn and holiday favorite.
Flavor Profile:
Nutmeg is known for its warm, nutty, and slightly sweet aroma. It has a distinctive, earthy flavor with a hint of spiciness.
Body Temperature:
Similar to other "warming spices" like cinnamon and ginger, nutmeg is considered to have warming properties. When consumed, it can create a sensation of warmth in the body, making it a comforting addition to fall and winter dishes.
Health Benefits:
Nutmeg is not only prized for its culinary uses but also for its potential health benefits. Some of these include: Digestive Aid, Anti-Inflammator and Antioxidant.
Culinary Uses:
Nutmeg is a versatile spice beloved worldwide. It shines in autumn and holiday recipes. Use it for baking, like spice cakes and gingerbread cookies. In savory dishes, it elevates creamy soups and sauces like béchamel and Alfredo. Sprinkle it on warm beverages like eggnog, hot chocolate, and mulled wine for a cozy touch.
Conventional and Organic Nutmeg:
Conventional and Organic Nutmeg: At Harris Spice, we offer both conventional and organic nutmeg for your specific preferences and requirements. Our commitment to quality extends to all our products, ensuring that you can enjoy the finest nutmeg, no matter your choice.
Partner with Harris Spice:
At Harris Spice, our R&D team is here to partner with you on crafting custom seasonings, perfectly suited to your unique flavor and formulation requirements. We're experts in organic and clean-label seasonings, adept at competitive flavor matching, and skilled in creating specialized formulations. Our product range includes nutmeg and other spices, along with dry seasonings, rubs, marinades, hot sauces, dressings, mayo blends, "just add water" mixes, baking applications, and seasonings for meat alternatives.
3. Ginger
Ginger is known for its warming properties. When consumed, it can create a sensation of warmth in the body. This property makes it a popular choice during colder months and is often used to alleviate symptoms of colds and digestive discomfort.
Flavor Profile:
It has a distinct and zesty flavor with a slight spicy kick. Its aroma is warm, earthy, and slightly citrusy. The combination of these flavors and aromas makes ginger a highly versatile and recognizable spice.
Culinary Uses:
Ginger is a staple ingredient in many cuisines worldwide, particularly in Asian and Indian cooking. Fresh ginger root elevates stir-fries, curries, and soups with its fresh zestiness. Ground ginger adds warmth to gingerbread cookies, cakes, and more. In beverages like ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger beer, it imparts a soothing, slightly spicy charm.
Health Benefits:
Beyond its delectable taste, ginger is cherished for its potential health benefits. It aids in relieving nausea, indigestion, and motion sickness, commonly enjoyed as ginger tea or chews. Ginger contains gingerols, which possess anti-inflammatory properties, offering natural relief from inflammation and pain. Ginger's ability to stimulate circulation can also improve blood flow.
Fiber Reduction Through Extraction:
To further enhance the quality of our ginger, we have the capability to run it through a fiber extractor. This process helps reduce the fiber content in the final ground product, ensuring a smoother and more consistent texture.
Procurement:
At Harris Spice, ginger procurement is a careful process. We collaborate closely with ginger farmers worldwide, procuring within the harvest seasons, guaranteeing a steady and fresh supply. Our dedication to quality ensures we always have the finest ginger.
4. Cardamom
Cardamom is considered one of the sweet "warming spices" due to its ability to create a sensation of warmth when consumed. It contributes to the overall feeling of comfort and coziness in dishes where it is used.
Flavor Profile:
It’s known for its unique combination of warm, spicy, and citrusy notes. It has a sweet and slightly floral aroma, making it one of the most aromatic spices in the world. The flavor of cardamom is complex, with hints of eucalyptus, mint, and lemon, along with a warm and spicy undertone.
Culinary Uses:
This versatile spice, cherished in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian cuisine, excels in various roles. It enhances baking, often paired with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, crafting delightful cookies, cakes, and pastries. It adds depth to savory dishes like rice pilafs and biryanis. In beverages, it contributes citrusy and herbal notes to coffee, chai tea, and cocktails. In desserts, such as rice pudding, ice cream, and fruit creations, cardamom brings contrast to sweet ingredients.
Health Benefits:
Beyond its culinary uses, cardamom is associated with several potential health benefits like: Digestive Aid and antioxidants helping to combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Varierties:There are two primary varieties of cardamom
1. Green Cardamom: This is the most common variety and is known for its fresh, herbal, and citrusy flavor. It is widely used in both sweet and savory dishes.
2. Black Cardamom: Black cardamom has a smoky, earthy flavor with hints of resin and camphor. It is often used in savory dishes, particularly in Indian cuisine.
5. Cloves
Cloves are considered one of the "warming spices" due to their ability to create a sensation of warmth when consumed. This warming quality is often associated with comfort and coziness, making cloves a favorite choice in fall and winter recipes.
Flavor Profile:
They are known for their sweet, pungent aroma and robust, slightly spicy flavor. They have a warm and comforting scent with hints of earthiness and a touch of fruitiness.
Health Benefits:
Beyond their culinary uses, cloves offer potential health benefits. They contain eugenol, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in reducing inflammation. Cloves are also a digestive aid, relieving discomfort like gas and bloating. Incorporate them into spice blends or herbal teas for digestive relief and overall well-being.
There are two primary varieties of cloves:
1. Whole Cloves: These are the dried flower buds of the clove tree and are often used for infusing flavors in dishes. They are typically removed before serving.
2. Ground Cloves: Ground cloves are made by grinding the dried flower buds into a powder. They are convenient for use in various recipes and blends.
Quality Assurance:
At Harris Spice, we prioritize the quality and safety of our products. To ensure quality we run them through a mesh screen. This process is designed to reduce the risk of foreign contamination. This dedication to quality assurance extends to all our products, providing our customers with spices that they can trust.
Intrigued by These Spices?
At Harris Spice, our dedication to quality extends to all our products, ensuring you receive the finest spices no matter your choice. Our unique processing methods, meticulous sourcing, and quality assurance measures guarantee that only the best spices get used. Get in touch with our Research and Development team now to see what we can do for you.
