Middle Eastern Flavours

The famous phrase 'open sesame' derives from the popping sound akin to a lock spring opening that a ripened sesame pod makes as it bursts open. These hulled seeds are immensely popular in cooking all over the world and form the base for kitchen staples like tahini, hommus and sesame oil. In Mexican cooking, it is used in sauces for mole or adobo. Sesame is also widely used to decorate artisanal breads.

Stick your nose into a sack of cloves and you will understand why ancient mariners claimed to smell the approach of the clove islands while still far out to sea. A terrific and much-used pungent addition to Christmas ham and baked goods, stewed and pickled fruit and vegetables, cakes, pastries and biscuits, German Glühwein, and many North African spice blends. This ground clove is milled fine and ready to use straight from the jar, an ideal option where whole cloves would be too strong or difficult to remove.

One of the most popular and widely used herbs in the world today, parsley (also known as 'curled parsley') has a distinctive herbaceous, slightly bitter aroma and taste that works as a contrast to highlight other flavours. Dried parsley holds up well in cooked dishes like stocks and sauces, though fresh is still best for garnishing and finishing.

Aleppo Peppers are highly desirable for their fresh, fruity flavour and the mild heat that builds slowly on the palate. Aleppo Peppers have a salty, oily flavour that distinguishes them from their crushed red pepper or paprika siblings. These lustrous lacquer-red flakes will add an extra bit of heat and drama to your favourite dishes.

Heat Level: 3/10

At medieval weddings in Germany, the bride and groom carried cumin, amongst other spices, in their pockets to secure themselves against infidelity. Generally, though, cumin is added to dishes all over the world for its warm, earthy aroma and flavour: a little bitter, even nutty, similar to caraway yet less intense. Also known as: Cummin, jeera

Fenugreek seeds are used widely in Middle Eastern and South Asian cookery. In India and Pakistan, the seeds are added to vegetables and rice; in Turkey, to hot pastes; in Egypt, they are boiled for a sweetened tea. The sweet aroma of fenugreek seeds is similar to maple syrup, while their flavour is savoury and nutty.

At medieval weddings in Germany, the bride and groom carried cumin, amongst other spices, in their pockets to secure themselves against infidelity. Generally, though, cumin is added to dishes all over the world for its warm, earthy aroma and flavour: a touch bitter, even nutty, similar to caraway yet less intense. Also known as: Cummin, jeera.