There are very few meals that are prepared without a herb or a spice been thrown in. Everything from an entrée to desserts has the compliment of flavour added from these very essential kitchen items. You may have a few sparse herbs or spices in your cupboard or you may have a plethora. Whether your culinary expertise goes as far as using a bit of oregano in your spaghetti Bolognese or creating a gourmet Indian feast, herbs and spices would have been a part of your cooking experience in some way. So there are probably a few things you should know.

Quality spices in one shop:

Finding an herbs and spices shop that stocks the best dried herbs and spices in a must. You really can’t go past a shop where you can buy Herbies spices. Ian Hemphill, long known as Herbie is a well known culinary herb and spice expert in Australia. Herbie is well respected for his expert herb and spice knowledge and saw his parents pioneer the herb and spice scene in the 1950’s. This is important to know about the man who started the Herbie’s spices brand. It means the spices you purchase are of the highest quality. Along with the day to day herbs that are easy to find Herbie’s spices ensures that food lovers and cooks can access even the hard to find herbs. These A grade spices have no filters, MSG, starches, additives or free-flow agents.

Spicy advice:

Spices have so much to offer. They boast so many different aromas and flavors as well as colors to make a meal more appealing and divine. Volatile oils are naturally occurring in spices and it is these oils that hold the flavor. Any good spice shop will tell you your spices should be packaged correctly. If you purchase spices that are packaged well then the volatile oils that give them their flavor will be unable to escape. Whole spices keep their flavour longer than ground spices and care should be taken with ground spices that they are packaged quickly and kept sealed well. Bright light such as sunlight will cause herbs and spices to fade. Spice racks should be kept out of direct sunlight or heat and the more fragile herbs like chives should be kept in a dark cupboard in order to preserve their attractive color.

Quality herbs from a reliable store mean your meals will have the best quality taste. There is little point in cooking a meal using inferior products. Let the gourmet cook inside you shine and add superior herbs and spices to your dishes.