Myristica fragrans, otherwise known as Nutmeg Spice

Thought I would share a few interesting funfacts on one of my favourite spice. Coincidentally, our newest batch of nutmeg will be available for purchase as of friday on our website at www.fairseasspice.ca

Nutmeg, scientifically known as Myristica fragrans, is one of the most desired spices on earth. It is also one of the most expensive spices on earth; trust us on this one.  Nutmeg adds a touch of sweetness and pairs perfectly with to almost any dish your mind can conjure up. The result is the addition of tremendous depth and complexity to you cuisine. An essential component to the  béchamel sauce you so often make at home (we know you don’t, but it’s never too late to start), Nutmeg also compliments homemade sausage, meats, soups, and preserves. Nutmeg however is perhaps best known for its use in baking. Mixed with complimentary spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, your cakes and cookies will literally explode with flavour; as will your waistline with girth.

Nutmeg, once ground, quickly loses its potency. We suggest you buy it in small quantities, from us, and grate it fresh just prior to use.

On a less culinary note, nutmeg in large and concentrated quantities can yield effect similar to that of marijuana. We also sell Nutmeg in bulk, strictly for cooking of course, just saying.

Star Anise. The Best Looking Spice You’ll Ever Own

Star Anise is definitely the most awesome looking spice out there. Shaped like a star, each ray of this aromatic fruit contains a single seed, lending a subtle yet sweet licorice flavour with minty undertones. Cooked whole and removed before serving, Star Anise is the perfect spice for sweet and savoury dishes, teas, mulled wines, stews and more. When ground the spice adds amazing depth and complexity to baked goods such breads, cakes, cookies, and even your morning oatmeal. (More info below the photo)

Fair Seas Spice Co. Star Anise

Star Anise is also the main ingredient in Chinese Five Spice. Check out the simple recipe below

• 1 tsp. ground Szechwan pepper (available at www.fairseasspice.ca as of June 1)
• 1 tsp. ground star anise
• 1-1/4 tsp. ground fennel seeds (available at www.fairseasspice.ca as of June 1)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt (no hyperlink, you have salt)
• 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

Have the flu? Shikimic acid is extracted from Star Anise and used in the commercial production of the Tamiflu vaccine. So not only does it taste great, its keeps us flu free, and makes pharmaceutical companies and their shareholders super rich.

Don’t have the flu? Star Anise still has many alleged health benefits. There are claims that the Star Anise has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Will Star Anise prevent that massive laceration in your leg from getting infected? No, not likely; you should probably go to the emergency room. Additionally, the Chinese have for centuries used Star Anise to treat digestive discomfort and the common cold. Or so they claim.

Not hungry? That’s fine; you can also use Star Anise mixed with some other spices to create an all-natural organic air freshener. Using the internets I found this link with DIY instructions: http://www.shockinglydelicious.com/natural-air-freshener/

And one final note. DO NOT consume Japanese Star Anise. It is highly toxic and may result in serious neurological effects such as seizures. Then again, some people like to live on the edge.

When it comes to spices less in more and freshly ground is better

We’ve all seen it, huge litre sized plastic jugs filled will ground spice. Your lucky if you get through half of that jug over the next half decade. Unfortunately spices over time loose their freshness and flavour. Sure you may be saving a bundle buying cinnamon in bulk at a big box store, but are you really getting value for your money? Are you really enjoying the wonderfully rich flavour freshly ground cinnamon, for example, should impart. The answer is probably no. I’ll share a little story about cinnamon to illustrate my point.

My father loves to shop in bulk, and he also loves his cinnamon. Add 2 and 2 together we get ground cinnamon in bulk. This was obviously before I dove head into the Fairtrade and organic spice slinging business. I remember receiving my first shipment of Fairtrade organic cinnamon bark from India. I could not be more eager to sample the goods. I grabbed a few sticks, threw them in my Waring spice grinder and ground them with palpable anticipation. Within seconds, the air was filled with the delicious aroma of fresh cinnamon with an intensity never before experienced. Ground to a fine powder I took a small pinch of my cinnamon, and sprinkled it into my mouth. I was blown away, until that moment I can assure you I had never actually tasted cinnamon the way it was supposed to be tasted. It was rich, sweet, and piney, with just a hint of heat. Even with such a small amount the flavours exploded in my mouth. Without a second thought I unplugged my grinder, grabbed a few more sticks of cinnamon and drove straight to my fathers house. I grabbed my dad and brought him to the kitchen, plugged in my grinder, threw in the cinnamon and started grinding. Within seconds my fathers eyes lit up. “Is that actually cinnamon?” he asked, “ya, pretty nuts huh” was my response. He then proceeded with a taste test. He sprinkled a little into his mouth, nodded his head, looked up to me and said “the regular stuff tastes like sh*t”.

The moral of my little story is that when it comes to spices less in more and and freshly ground is better. Unless you own a restaurant or a bakery, or happen to be an extremely avid home chef, buying spices in bulk is bad, even worse is buying ground spices in bulk.

Here is a great article and a video providing some great information on storing your spices.

Remember, the Fair Seas Spice Co. sells all of our spices whole, in small quantities, and in containers designed to extend the life and flavour of your spices.