Guide To Herbs And Spices

The Ultimate Guide to Herbs and Spices: What They Are and How To Use Them

So you’ve heard of healthy eating and now you want to know more? Or maybe you’re a seasoned foodie with an insatiable curiosity about the inner workings of your favorite cuisines. Either way, it’s safe to say that you’ve come across the term “healthiness” in one form or another by this point. Whether it be from your friends, or from some random article on social media - everyone seems to have an opinion about what makes up a nutritious diet. While it is true that certain foods are essential for our well-being, others are more powerful when consumed sparingly and in the right quantities. Herbs and spices are no exception. In this Ultimate Guide to Herths and Spices, we explore everything you need to know about these little-known but important ingredients. From their incredible uses as natural medicine, dietary supplements, preservatives, flavor enhancers and much more - let us help clear up any confusion around what they are, how they can benefit your health and why they deserve a place in your everyday kitchen (even if you aren’t a hardcore i>foodie/i>!).

What are herbs and spices?

Herbs and spices are any parts or products of particular plants that are used to offer flavour, colour and taste to food. Herbs are a specific type of plant whose leaves, stems, flowers or seeds are used to flavour food. Spices are derived from a variety of aromatic plants including cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, and are used for flavouring food. While both herbs and spices are edible plants, they have been used for thousands of years as a way of sharing great flavours across cultures and borders.

Why are herbs and spices so important for a healthy diet?

Herbs and spices are what make a dish delicious. As a consequence, they’re also what make a diet more delicious, too. Different herbs and spices add their own unique flavours to your favourite cuisines, enhancing the taste of the food you’re eating and making every mouthful feel extra special. For example, cinnamon adds an incredible sweetness to a dish, while cumin adds a hint of mustardy flavour to a curry. Likewise, rosemary and oregano add a fresh, herby flavour while turmeric adds a vibrant yellow colour. When used wisely, herbs and spices can be a powerful dietary tool that can help to make your meals more appealing, increasing their appeal and making your diet more sustainable to stick to.

17 Health Benefits of Herbs and Spices you can’t live without

- Elevates metabolism - Garlic, ginger and rosemary have been shown to have a metabolic boosting effect, slowing down the process of digestion and speeding up your metabolism. - Strengthens immunity - Ginger and turmeric have been shown to significantly strengthen the immune system by reducing inflammation and increasing your natural defences against pathogens (i.e. bugs). - Strengthens joints - Basil, cinnamon and rosemary have been shown to help to relieve joint pain and stiffness by reducing inflammation in the body and increasing the flow of oxygen in the joints. - Lower blood pressure - Herbs such as basil, cumin and parsley have been shown to lower blood pressure by increasing the amount of oxygen that your blood can transport, while simultaneously relaxing your muscles. - Reduces heartburn - Dill and fennel have been shown to reduce heartburn and ease acid reflux (“heartburn”) by relaxing the muscles in your stomach and slowing down the digestive process. - Promotes regular bowel movements - Herbs such as ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to promote regular bowel movements by reducing the likelihood of constipation. - Promotes lucid dreaming - Basil and fennel have been shown to promote lucid dreaming and aid in the recall of dreams, further enhancing the health benefits of herbs and spices. - Prevents colds - Cinnamon, rosemary and sage have been shown to prevent the common cold by reducing the inflammatory response in the body, whilst simultaneously boosting your immune system. - Previbles heart disease - Chia seeds have been shown to prevent heart disease by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and promote heart health by lowering blood pressure. - Previbles rheumatic diseases - Turmeric has been shown to prevent rheumatic diseases by preventing the buildup of plaques in your arteries, while ginger has been shown to prevent gingivitis (gum disease) by preventing gum bleeding. - Previbles urinary tract infections - Cinnamon has been shown to prevent urinary tract infections and promote better urination by improving your hydration levels and encouraging regularity.

4 Tips on How to Store Fresh Herbs and Spices

- Herbs - Keep herbs in a cool, dark and dry place. This prevents mould from growing and makes it easier for you to revive them whenever you feel like using them. - Spices - Keep spices in an airtight container with a lid. This prevents the lid from becoming damp and prevents air from entering the container, which would cause the spices to lose their potency. This is especially important for cinnamon and cardamom, which are highly aromatic spices that would quickly lose their aroma if exposed to too much air. - Herbs and Spices - You can use fresh herbs and spices on their own, or you can combine them with other ingredients to create new flavour combinations. - Herbs and Spives - You can use fresh herbs and spices in salads, steamed vegetables, soups, stir-fries, curries and other dishes. You can also make herbal teas by combining fresh herbs with hot water.

6 Fresh Herbs that are good substitutes for dried herbs and spices

Basil - Dried basil can be used as a substitute for fresh basil, but the dried version will have a stronger flavour. Ginger - Ginger can be used as a substitute for fresh ginger, but the dried version will have a stronger flavour. Oregano - Dried oreganus can be used as a substitute for fresh oreganus, but the dried version will have a stronger flavour. Parsley - Fresh parsley can be used as a substitute for dried parsley, but the fresh version will have a more pronounced flavour. Rosemary - Fresh rosemary can be used as a substitute for dried rosemary, but the fresh version will have a more pronounced flavour. Turmeric - Fresh turmeric can be used as a substitute for dried turmeric, but the fresh version will have a more pronounced flavour.

6 Dried Herbs that can substitute for fresh herbs in your kitchen

Chia seeds - Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. They can be used as a substitute for fresh herbs and spices, but are best when toasted as they have a crunchier texture. Cumin seeds - Cumin seeds are a good source of iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc. They can be used as a substitute for fresh herbs, but are best when ground as they have a stronger flavour. Fennel seeds - Fennel seeds are a good source of potassium and vitamin A. They can be used as a substitute for fresh herbs, but are best when ground as they have a stronger flavour. Ginger - Ginger is a good source of anti-inflammatory agents and can be used as a substitute for fresh herbs. Turmeric - Turmeric is a good source of anti-inflammatory agents and can be used as a substitute for fresh herbs.

Which fresh herbs can you use right now?

Basil - Basil is a classic spice that is used in Italian, Thai and Indian cuisine. It can be used fresh or dried and is great for adding a subtle acidic flavour to your dishes. Cilantro - Also known as coriander, cilantro is a very common fresh herb that is used in Mexican, Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisies. It has a citrusy flavour and can be used fresh, or as a substitute for dried herbs. Dill - Dill is a classic herb that is used in Scandinavian, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Indian cuisies. It has a strong licorice flavour and can be used fresh or dried. Lemon verbena - Also known as vervain, this herb has a lemony flavour and can be used fresh