July 20, 2020

Herbs

What is Lemongrass? Lemongrass is an herb originating from Africa, Asia, and Australia.  It can come in three forms: fresh, dried, or powdered.  Fresh lemongrass stalks feel firm with green leaves, yellow stalks, and white bulbs at the bottom of the stalk.  The stalks should smell fresh and lemony.  Dried lemongrass feels crunchy and looks

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July 20, 2020

Seasonings and Flavorings, Spices

What is Garam Masala? Garam masala is a seasoning blend of different spices popularly used in India and parts of Asia.  The process of making garam masala starts with toasting all of the spices to bring out their flavors before grounding them into powder.  Garam masala typically consists of cardamom, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, cloves,

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July 17, 2020

Seasonings and Flavorings, Spices, Vegetables

What is Horseradish? Horseradish is a condiment created from the root of the horseradish plant.  The root horseradish comes from is white with a fibrous brown skin on the outside. High-quality horseradish roots feel firm with dry roots.  Horseradish also comes in premade condiments, powdered, or dried.  It has a pungent, spicy smell. What Does

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July 17, 2020

Fruits

What are Juniper Berries? Juniper berries are a tree-grown fruit originating from juniper trees.  The berries are small, round, and may come in either green or purple.  The only difference between green and purple juniper berries is their age.  As juniper berries age, they turn from light green to purple.  Most people tend to use

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July 17, 2020

Syrups and Sweeteners

What is Molasses? Molasses is a syrup created while making sugar.  The syrup is the boiled-down juice of sugar cane that remains once the sugar crystals are removed.  Molasses is thick and comes in regular, dark, or blackstrap varieties.  Regular molasses results from the first boiling process and is a medium-dark brown color.  Dark molasses

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