Published: June 4, 2012Updated: 02:59 November 28, 2012
Spice It Up!
Indispensable for adding flavor and appeal, spices such as cloves, cumin, paprika, and peppercorns are valued for their healing attributes too. Here are a few facts that may surprise you!
- Cloves are unopened flower buds with an intense flavor.
- Ground cloves are tasty in pie fillings or stewed fruit.
- Whole ones are often studded into baked ham.
- In traditional medicine, cloves have been used to treat nausea, diarrhea, muscle spasms, and toothaches.
- Cumin seeds have an earthy and slightly bitter flavor.
- Cumin is used extensively in Indian curries and Middle Eastern dishes. It can be useful for treating indigestion.
- Paprika, found in Cajun spice blends, Mexican chili powders, and tandoori spice mixes, flavors food and colors it as well.
- Use as a substitute for chili if you want the same flavor but no heat. Paprika may help aid digestion.
- White peppercorns are the heart of a tropical fruit. They are less aromatic than black peppercorns but hotter and sharper in flavor.
- In India, peppercorns are sucked to soothe an irritated throat.