Different ways of enriching our palate through spices

What is the purpose of spices and what are their benefits?

The main purpose of spices is none other than to enhance the flavor of the recipe. This is possible thanks to their flavoring properties. However, spices not only give life to your dishes, but also promote health and energy, satisfy the appetite and offer options for all tastes. Their versatility not only enriches flavor, but also the culinary experience and overall well-being.

Their benefits are multiple and diverse. Broadly speaking, these are some of the benefits they bring us:

• They improve the characteristics of the dish: they allow us to add flavor, color and aroma to our dishes, improving the characteristics and enhancing the sensation when eating that dish.
• They reduce salt consumption: by highlighting and enhancing the flavor of food, they become an infallible ally for those people who need to reduce salt consumption.
• Contribution of vitamins: spices have the characteristic of being endowed with a high level of vitamins that provide good nutrients for the body. For example, parsley contains vitamin C.
• They help to preserve food: they increase the time of conservation and contribute to the micro biotic elimination.
• They aid digestion: they stimulate the production of gastric juices, protect the digestive tract from possible bacterial infections and reduce fermentation and gas.

In today’s world there are thousands of spices. But to consider them as such it is necessary to know their origin. Therefore, we will catalog it as a spice when they come from the bark, root, seeds or fruits of plants. If one of the products used does not meet this requirement, it would be considered a condiment.

• They come from seeds: cardamom, cumin, mustard, pepper, fennel and coriander.
• From roots: ginger, wasabi and turmeric.
• From flowers: cloves, vanilla, saffron and star anise.
• They come from bark: cinnamon.

When preparing recipes or dishes, the use of each spice must be taken into account. Taking this into account, a different flavor is achieved in each dish. Thus, it is possible to make varied recipes with the same basic foods, and to obtain a more varied and less monotonous diet.

• Base spices: they serve to enhance the flavor of the ingredients. They can be used for vegetables, soups, sauces, rice, stuffing, legumes, among others. This classification includes garlic powder, pepper powder, onion powder, nutmeg and thyme.
• Sweet spices: These spices are usually used in desserts, salads and sweet soups. The following spices are part of this group: star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, fennel and cloves.
• Spices with strong flavor: They are considered strong or rough spices and are used to season or marinate meats, vegetables, legumes, sauces or soups. They may seem similar to the basic spices, but since they have a predominant flavor, they should be used in small quantities. In this group we find: cumin, white or black pepper, dill and mustard.

The different benefits that spices bring to our body

Here is a list of spices and their benefits for our organism. This factor can help us when creating weekly menus, recipes or even to guide us on how to have a better diet to strengthen our immune system.

• Saffron: This spice provides medicinal benefits, such as stimulants. It helps to combat depressive states and improve digestion, as it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, among others.
• Cinnamon: Its high content of essential oils and vitamins.
• Cardamom: It is a natural remedy for digestive problems such as gas, heaviness, menstruation and even respiratory problems.
• Clove: This spice helps to maintain optimal oral hygiene. It helps prevent cavities or relieve toothache. It is also a good ally for digestive problems.
• Cumin: It is a medicinal plant that facilitates digestion. It reduces gas, helps lower triglyceride levels, or even is a good ally when it comes to weight loss.
• Turmeric: In addition to being an aromatic spice, it also helps to take care of the heart, liver and joints.
• Paprika: It is known for its properties as a natural analgesic. It is a rich antioxidant, provides essential vitamins and minerals, stimulates circulation and controls cholesterol levels.
• Rosemary: It is a spice that can be very useful in episodes of severe pain, such as menstrual cramps. It can also be of great help to improve memory and hair growth.