How to spice up your food with a custom spice blend

Purchasing whole spices and grinding them in a coffee grinder or spice grinder is the best way to obtain the ingredients for making your spice blends. You don't need to grind the herbs because they are simply dried leaves. You'll merely incorporate them into the mixture as-is.

The ideal combination of seasoning and spices is necessary to produce a distinctive flavour. But how do you even begin when there are so many options?

Fortunately, the various spices and herbs allow us to simplify this challenging sifting process. We can start with the most flavorful, adaptable, and dynamic ingredients to create a delightful foundation for any blend. Popular spice mixtures using one or more of the highly potent spices listed in this article can be found worldwide. These well-known flavours demonstrate how many different combinations of spices there are. Numerous blend variations can be created using just five fantastic spices!

1. Ginger

While using fresh ginger when cooking at home is fantastic, dried ground ginger works best when making a well-balanced spice mixture. It goes well with hotter spices like cayenne, chill powder, and cinnamon. African, Asian, and Indian food all contain ginger.

2. Cinnamon

We frequently connect cinnamon to holiday cookies, apple pies, and oatmeal. But this potent warming spice can be used in many dishes. It can be found in American, Moroccan, and Indian dishes when combined with other spices.

3. Turmeric

Thanks to its bright yellow colour and distinctive flavour profile, turmeric can be a potent addition to a custom spice blend. Although it has recently been used in various recipes, turmeric has long been an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine.

4. Cayenne Pepper 

If you want to add heat to any spice mixture or dish, look no further than cayenne pepper. Although it makes sense for Southern BBQ dishes, it can also be used to improve the flavour of dips and vegetables.

5. Oregano

Oregano is a typical herb frequently used in Italian cuisine and herb blends. Oregano isn't just a staple of European cuisine; it can also be found in foods from Texas and Louisiana.

Here are a few tips to help you blend the spices with the best of them.

1. Use quality spices.

Spice professionals and many home cooks agree that grinding whole spices yourself results in the best flavour. You probably have a lot of ground spices in jars. Great if you have the whole ones. Don't worry if you don't have whole spices. The volatile oils in spices gradually disappear over time, especially once they are ground, so as long as your jars are not too old and still smell good, you're good to go. Additionally, a blend enables one spice to be supported by the others even if its flavour is slightly waning.

2. Decide on an emphasis to place.

When blending spices, the first question you should ask yourself is how the blend should taste. What flavour do you want to be the dominant one? Spicy? Smoky? This can help you find the primary spice to base the remainder of your blend. Alternatively, decide on a specific cuisine that might influence your choice of spices, such as American barbecue or Indian masala.

3. Combine the flavours.

The best way to combine the flavours is to classify them into four main groups: salty, sweet, and bitter. Try to touch at least a few of those groups to achieve balance. However, there are few words of caution. The last thing you want to do is numb your mouth, so don't make it too spicy. Other spices, such as ginger and garlic, can quickly become overwhelming. Salt can remove anything else. Don't go overboard with the sugar; it is always preferred to keep blends savoury. Just enough should be added to complete the flavour.

4. Consider spices that are not common.

Spice mixtures don't have to only contain ground spices. Don't be hesitant to include dried herbs, advises Bernard. They genuinely contribute to the flavour. Commonly most people enjoy thyme, oregano, and dill in particular. However, you can be even bolder than that. Examine the remaining items in your pantry. Coffee beans, loose-leaf tea, nuts, and dried citrus peel are a few examples of the things you can experiment with.

5. Taste it after assembly.

Working in tablespoon-sized increments is generally what most cooks advise. It can be more challenging to mix and control smaller quantities. Until you've taken at least one sample, you might want to wait to add salt or some of your salt. Keep in mind that adding ingredients is much simpler than removing them. To determine where you stand, sample as you go. Yes, you can put a little directly on your tongue, but if that does not sound appealing, you can also mix a little with some oil and use it to dip bread in. Just be aware of how the mixture will change once it is cooked. If you're roasting the meat's exterior

6. Use it.

There are numerous applications for spice blends. Vegetables or meat that has been roasted or grilled are apparent applications. They can add flavour to a stew or soup. To make a marinade or a drizzle for hummus:

1. Combine them with oil.

2. Mix them into the salad dressing.

3. Add a few teaspoons to some scrambled eggs.