{"id":3315,"date":"2016-10-01T08:03:22","date_gmt":"2016-10-01T12:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zestedumonde.ca\/10-epices-essentielles\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T16:42:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T21:42:28","slug":"10-essential-spices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zestedumonde.ca\/en\/10-essential-spices\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Essential Spices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spices have a seductive power that has fascinated the world for centuries. Just think of the explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, who searched for the best routes to trade spices from the East to the West.<\/p>\n

Today, there\u2019s no need to wait for caravels to return in order to get spices from the Middle East or China. Visiting specialty shops or grocery stores is enough to realize the wide variety of spices available.<\/p>\n

Top 10<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Faced with so many choices, we asked Guillaume, sous-chef at Zeste du monde catering, to share his top 10 essential spices for any kitchen. Here is his list:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Turmeric<\/li>\n
  2. Cinnamon<\/li>\n
  3. Cumin<\/li>\n
  4. Nutmeg<\/li>\n
  5. Cardamom<\/li>\n
  6. Clove<\/li>\n
  7. Coriander seeds<\/li>\n
  8. Curry<\/li>\n
  9. Paprika<\/li>\n
  10. Star anise<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Notice there\u2019s no basil, rosemary, or oregano on this list. Why?<\/p>\n

    \u201cSpices shouldn\u2019t be confused with herbs or aromatics, as they serve different purposes. Spices enhance flavors\u2014they complement the base,\u201d explains Guillaume.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFor example, cinnamon, often associated with apple pie, is a good example of a spice that\u2019s underestimated. In many cases, it\u2019s used as the dominant flavor. Many people think they don\u2019t like cinnamon, as it can smell like potpourri if used in excess.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cCinnamon deserves more recognition. Sometimes I use this spice to add a subtle sweetness. Combined with yogurt, ground cardamom, and a pinch of clove, a hint of cinnamon completes a flavorful marinade for steak or lamb,\u201d adds the sous-chef.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAlso, regarding spices, it\u2019s important to note that a \u2018spiced\u2019 dish isn\u2019t necessarily \u2018hot\u2019 or \u2018spicy.\u2019 This often comes up at events, especially cocktail receptions, where clients ask whether an appetizer is spicy or not. A dish can be full of flavor without being hot\u2014that\u2019s the nuance,\u201d says Guillaume.<\/p>\n

    Flavor Harmony<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Blending spices to create a flavorful mix is almost an art form. Take Ras el hanout<\/strong>, a traditional North African spice mix. It often combines dozens of spices\u2014sometimes up to forty!<\/p>\n

    Each North African merchant has their own recipe, using the finest spices available to stand out from competitors.<\/p>\n

    This seasoning is typically added at the end of cooking to enhance dishes like tagines, rice, or couscous<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    In Quebec, you can find Ras el hanout at specialty stores importing North African products, as well as at March\u00e9 Jean-Talon in Montreal<\/strong>, at the boutique of Ethn\u00e9 and Philippe de Vienne. Their Ras el hanout contains 27 spices!<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For those looking for truly inspired spice blends, French chef Olivier Roellinger<\/strong> has been creating unique spice mixes for over thirty years, based on his travels. His website is worth a look.<\/p>\n

    Autumn, with its fresh Quebec vegetables, is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and create your own culinary event.<\/p>\n

    Are you ready for a delicious couscous?<\/p>\n

    By Caroline Cudia for Zeste du monde<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Spices have a seductive power that has fascinated the world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-categorise"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Essential Spices for Every Kitchen | Zeste du Monde<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover 10 essential spices picked by our sous-chef\u2014plus tips on flavor harmony and blends like ras el hanout. Planning an event? 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