If you love cooking, chances are you are always looking for new ways to make the culinary experience even better. Herbs and spices are a great and easy way to take meals up a notch without changing the recipe much. You also won’t have to use much to pick up incredible flavor! Read on for more information about the benefits of herbs and spices!
The biggest benefit of cooking with herbs and spices is the fact that there are virtually endless possibilities. Not only are there a ton of different herbs and spices, but adding in different combinations also gives different incredible flavors throughout a meal. You can experiment pretty much endlessly with these ingredients, ensuring there is always a great surprise in the meal.
Another benefit is the versatility of single ingredients. Fennel pollen, for example, is the most potent form of fennel and it has the most flavor of any fennel product. This pollen can be used in tons of dishes. In Italy, it’s used in breads and pestos, but you can also use it in soups, pastries, dry rubs for meats, or even just as it is – a spice. Dried herbs do best when you add them while your dish is cooking so that it can infuse the entire dish.
Lastly, herbs and spices have numerous health benefits. In fact, the chemicals in herbs have been proven to have anti-spasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, analgesic, aphrodisiac, deodorant, digestive, antiseptic, lipolytic, stimulant and stomachic actions when taken in certain dosages. They also help you get many of the nutrients you need on a daily basis, so their advantages make them a popular ingredient.
Have you used herbs and spices in your dishes? What are your favorite combinations?