Epicentre Spice Guide

SPICE

The Epicentre Guidebook

Edited by Barry Mortin ? 2013, The Epicentre. All rights reserved

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SPICE

The Epicentre Guidebook

CONTENTS

Ajwain .....................................................................1 Aleppo Pepper .....................................................2 Allspice ...................................................................4 Amchur ...................................................................7 Ancho Chile...........................................................8 Anise .......................................................................9 Annatto ................................................................11 Basil .......................................................................13 Bay Leaf ...............................................................14 Berbere ................................................................16 Caraway................................................................17 Cardamom ..........................................................19 Chai Spice Baking Blend ................................20 Chicken Love......................................................21 Chimichurri .........................................................22 Chinese Five-Spice ...........................................23 Chipotle Chile ....................................................24 Cinnamon............................................................26 Cloves ...................................................................28 Coriander.............................................................30 Cumin ...................................................................32 Curry Powder .....................................................33 Fenugreek ...........................................................35 Galangal...............................................................37 Garam Masala ....................................................38 Ginger ...................................................................40 Harissa ..................................................................42

Herbes de Provence.........................................43 Juniper..................................................................44 Kaffir Lime leaves..............................................46 Lavender ..............................................................48 Lemongrass .......................................................50 Mace......................................................................51 Mint .......................................................................53 Nigella ..................................................................55 Nutmeg ................................................................56 Paprika..................................................................58 Smoked Paprika ................................................60 Pepper ..................................................................61 Poppy Seed.........................................................64 Quatre ?pice.......................................................66 Ras el Hanout (Moroccan Blend).................67 Saffron ..................................................................68 Sesame .................................................................69 Star Anise.............................................................71 Sumac ...................................................................73 Szechuan Pepper..............................................74 Tamarind..............................................................76 Thai Coconut Green Curry Powder ............78 True North (by Southwest)............................78 Turmeric...............................................................79 Vanilla ...................................................................80 Zatar ......................................................................82

Ajwain

Ajwain (pronounced aj'o-wen) is a member of the Umbelliferae family, which has some 2,700 members including dill, caraway and cumin. It is mostly found in Indian cooking, where it is also known as bishop's weed or carom. It is particularly suited to the delicate vegetarian fare found in the state of Gujarat.

Spice Description

Ajwain seeds are used as a spice. The grayish-green seeds are striped and curved (similar to cumin or caraway seeds in appearance), often with a fine silk stalk attached. They are usually sold whole. The seeds are often chewed on their own for medicinal value, tasting bitingly hot and bitter, leaving the tongue numb for a while. Cooking ajowan mellows it somewhat. When crushed, they have a strong and distinctive thyme-like fragrance.

But it's more complex, reminiscent of caraway, celery seed, and cumin. The seed is common in Indian cuisine, often finding its way into starchy foods like breads, legumes, and vegetable dishes. It's an important flavor element in West African dishes as well, especially groundnut soup, and it is included in several of the region's traditional spice blends, including kala masla and berbere.

Bouquet: a pungent thyme/cumin fragrance Flavour: a harsh thyme-like flavour with a bit of a kick, leaving a milder, pleasant aftertaste Hotness Scale: 5

Preparation and Storage

Ajwain is usually ground in mortar and pestle, or crushed by rubbing between hands or fingertips before using. When used whole, for parathas or other breads, lightly bruise the seeds first, to release oils and increase flavour. The seeds can be stored indefinitely if kept from light in airtight containers.

Cooking with Ajwain

Ajwain has a particular affinity to starchy foods like savoury pastries and breads, especially parathas. Snacks like Bombay mix and potato balls get an extra kick from ajwain. It is also good with green beans and root vegetables. Lentil dishes and recipes using besan (chick pea flour). It is occasionally an ingredient of curry powder.

Health Benefits

Ajwain seeds contain an essential oil which is about 50% thymol which is a strong germicide, anti-spasmodic and fungicide. Thymol is also used in toothpaste and perfumery. It is used in a steeped liquid form against diarrhea and flatulence. In India the seeds are used as a household remedy for indigestion and colic, and used in poultices to relieve asthma and arthritis. It also has aphrodisiac properties and the Ananga Ranga prescribes it for increasing a husband's enjoyment in his middle years.

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