List of Spices
Spices Articles
About Spices
Seasoning is a flavoring additive that changes the taste of a drink, product or dish. In ancient times, spices were worth their weight in gold.
There are about a hundred varieties of spices in the world: salt, anise, sesame, cloves, cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and so on. Seasonings are used for making soups, meat and fish dishes, and drinks.
The benefits of seasonings
Each spice is of vegetable origin and has its own beneficial properties.
For example, ginger is used in the prevention and treatment of colds, diseases of the respiratory system, as well as in the normalization of metabolism in the body.
Saffron strengthens the cardiovascular system, normalizes blood pressure, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Red and black pepper disperses blood and prevents the development of cancer, neutralizes the effects of tobacco on the body.
Cinnamon is a natural antidepressant. It relieves bad mood, depression, tones the body and helps get rid of cellulite.
Armant and coriander are recommended for people with diabetes mellitus, these spices lower blood sugar and normalize blood pressure. Sesame is good for the stomach: it cleans the intestinal walls from mucus and toxins.
Harm of seasonings
The main contraindications for spices are individual intolerance, due to which allergies appear.
Poor-quality spices, to which chemicals were added at the time of spice cultivation, can cause harm. It is necessary to be extremely careful with store seasonings, where it is indicated that this is a spice for meat, salad, or fish. Most likely, these seasonings are unnatural.
Also, seasonings should not be consumed in large quantities. The daily allowance for a healthy person is no more than 5-6 grams of one type of spice.
Seasonings are strong irritants that can make you feel worse. For example, sage and cinnamon cause seizures. Saffron is contraindicated in pregnant women, there is a risk of miscarriage.
Spices are contraindicated for people suffering from bronchial asthma and cystitis. Also, you can not use spices if a person is taking many medications. For example, curry neutralizes aspirin.
You also need to be careful with red pepper. If the hot seasoning gets on the retina and the person is not helped in time, he may lose his sight.
How to choose the right seasoning
The first thing to look for when choosing a spice is the integrity and tightness of the package. The ideal option is glass or thick cardboard, where excess moisture does not get.
Choose small packages of spices, so you can quickly use up the product without spoiling it. Before buying, check the expiration date of the seasoning and study its composition. Boldly say no to flavorings and preservatives.
If possible, study the external properties of the seasoning. There should be no litter, excess particles, lumps, mold, and strong odor.
Storage conditions. Keep the seasoning away from light and moisture, at room temperature in a glass or wooden container. Spices live up to three years.
Expert commentary
Seasonings can be roughly divided into natural, synthetic, and mixed. Available with artificial antioxidants, dyes, flavor enhancers. We are talking about natural ones, obtained by centuries of proven methods – drying, grinding, extraction, and so on. Such seasonings improve, enrich, and make the taste of familiar food unusual. With their help, you can get a large number of dishes with different tastes.
The strongest natural flavor enhancer is salt. Thanks to spices, we can reduce the amount of salt. Seasonings are recommended for people with hypertension. They reduce puffiness, remove excess fluid from the body. Spices have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. They improve gastrointestinal motility and speed up digestion. It has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system: it accelerates blood circulation.
Capsaicin, which is found in red peppers, is recommended for overweight and diabetic people. It improves digestion, does not allow cholesterol to linger. If we use cinnamon by adding it to tea or coffee, we also reduce the sugar content. Seasonings are harmful to individual intolerance to the ingredient. Then there are dyspeptic symptoms, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders.