Herbs and Spices Types and Styles

Discover a variety of herbs and spices to spruce up your kitchen

There are many herbs and spices that are important to know how to use properly in your establishment. Herbs are the leafy part of certain flavor-producing shrubs, while spices come from the bark of certain plant life. You can use fresh herbs from herb importers or dried spices from spice distributors or even a combination of both herbs and spices in special seasoning blends.

Whether or not to incorporate herbs and spices into your dishes is not the question; it is which ones and how much. Work with your cooking herb supplier as well as seasoning producers to determine which herbs and spices types and styles will best suit your cooking. Consider the following when choosing herbs and spices types and styles for your establishment:

1. Spice wholesalers offer seasoning blends which combine several types of flavors to create unique dishes.

2. Fresh herbs can be obtained on a regular basis from a cooking herb distributor to keep the flavors robust.

3. Dried herbs and spices can be purchased in bulk and preserved for longer than fresh.

 

Use seasoning blends to combine herbs and spices types and styles

Using seasoning blends in your cooking can combine both herbs and spices together into one gourmet spice to spruce up any dish. Some seasoning blends offer a mix of sweet and savory herbs and spices while others combine similar herbs and spices that complement flavors. Seasoning blends offer you and your chefs a lot of creativity in the kitchen.
Try: Simple Mom provides some examples of unique seasoning blend recipes. The Spice House discusses a recipe for a salt-free seasoning blend.

Use fresh herbs from an herb supplier

Fresh herbs have the strongest flavor when they are picked right from the plant. Their flavor is potent and can be used in much smaller quantities than dried herbs. Fresh herbs can also be used as garnish to add just a little something extra to the plate. Fresh herbs, as with any fresh item, have a short shelf life, but if you can plan accordingly, you can arrange for your cooking herb supplier to bring you a consistent supply of fresh herbs.
Try: The University of Nebraska outlines how to choose and cook with fresh herbs and cooking spices. Chef's Outlet explains some of the most popular fresh herbs.

Purchase dried herbs and spices as your primary food spices

Dried herbs and spices allow you to purchase wholesale spices in larger quantities. This allows you to save money as well as to always have the herbs and spices that you need on hand. However, you do sacrifice flavor for convenience when you buy dried herbs and spices in bulk. It is important to remember, too, that you use more dried herbs and spices than fresh.
Try: Family Time talks about cooking with dried herbs and spices. GourmetSleuth.com offers tips on how to store dried herbs and spices.

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