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Juniper is a distinctive spice obtained from the dried, small, blue-black berries of the juniper shrub. Its flavor is intense, resinous, and piney, with a spicy, slightly peppery note and a hint of citrus. The berries are an essential part of German and Nordic cuisine and are often used to temper the strong flavor of game dishes such as venison, roe deer, or wild boar. Juniper is also a classic spice for sauerkraut, stews, marinades, and pâtés. To optimally release their aroma, the juniper berries are often lightly crushed before cooking. They are also the key ingredient in flavoring gin, to which they impart their characteristic taste.

Schabzigerklee is a powerful and highly aromatic herb that plays a particularly important role in Swiss and Tyrolean cuisine. It is a type of fenugreek (Trigonella caerulea), but has a distinctly different flavor profile than the more familiar fenugreek. Its aroma is unique: savory, intensely spicy, and with a nutty, slightly cheesey note reminiscent of celery. This special flavor makes it an essential ingredient in the famous Glarner Schabziger, a traditional Swiss grated cheese. Schabzigerklee also has other uses. It is usually used dried and ground to flavor bread, soups, potato dishes, and spreads. Due to its dominant flavor, Schabzigerklee should be used sparingly.

Rosemary is a powerful, aromatic herb whose needles develop an intensified aroma when dried. The flavor is tart, resinous, and piney, with notes of camphor and a subtle pepperiness. Unlike fresh rosemary, which has a softer texture and fresher aroma, the dried form is robust and can withstand long cooking times. Dried rosemary is an essential spice in Mediterranean cuisine and a perfect partner for hearty dishes. It goes well with roasted or braised lamb, pork, and beef, as well as with potato dishes, pot roasts, and soups. To best release the aroma, rub the dried needles between your fingers before use. It can be cooked from the beginning to add a deep, spicy base note to dishes.

Provençal herbs is a spice blend that captures the aroma and sunshine of the French Provence. It consists of dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, savory, and oregano, often complemented by marjoram. Lavender blossoms are sometimes also included, lending the mix a slightly floral note. The flavor is spicy, tart, and highly aromatic, with a woody depth. The herbs are very robust and retain their flavor even at high temperatures and long cooking times. They pair perfectly with grilled or roasted meat (especially lamb and poultry), fish, baked vegetables, stews, and are a perfect seasoning for marinades or sauces. "Herbs of Provençal" are therefore an all-rounder for Mediterranean cuisine.

Store in a dry place protected from light.

Allspice powder is the finely ground spice from the dried berries of the allspice tree. Unlike whole berries, which release their aroma slowly, the powder ensures an immediate and intense release of its complex flavor. This is often described as a unique blend of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a warm, peppery note. Due to its concentrated aroma, allspice powder is an extremely versatile spice in the kitchen. It is a classic ingredient in Christmas baking for gingerbread and speculaas (speculoos), but is also indispensable in savory dishes. There, it is used in marinades, braised dishes, sauces, and spice blends such as the jerk seasoning found in Caribbean cuisine. Due to its strong spiciness, allspice powder should be used sparingly.

Whole black peppercorns are the dried, unripe fruits of the peppercorn plant (Piper nigrum) and the most widely used spice in the world. They are characterized by their strong, hot, and warm spiciness, accompanied by a complex aroma with woody and slightly earthy notes. For the best flavor experience, peppercorns should always be freshly ground, as their aroma is very volatile and can only fully develop this way. They are an extremely versatile spice and go well with almost any savory dish, from grilled meat and fish to stews and soups, sauces, and salads. Whole peppercorns are also often cooked in marinades, broths, and pickled vegetables to slowly release their flavor.

Nutmeg is the hard, egg-shaped nut of the nutmeg tree. Its flavor is warm, sweet, and nutty, with a spicy, slightly peppery note. The whole nut is the best choice, as its aroma is volatile, and the essential oils evaporate quickly in ground powder. Only freshly grated does it unfold its full, intense aroma, adding a special depth to any dish. Grated nutmeg is an essential spice in European cuisine and is used in both savory and sweet dishes. It goes perfectly with creamy sauces (such as béchamel), potato dishes (mashed potatoes, gratins), and vegetables (spinach, cauliflower). It is also popular in baking, enhancing cakes and pastries. It is often used in mulled wine and eggnog at Christmas. Incidentally, the reddish covering around the nut produces the spice mace, which has a similar but more delicate aroma.

Marjoram is a delicate and aromatic herb closely related to oregano, but with a much milder, sweeter, and more floral flavor. While oregano has a strong, peppery note, marjoram is softer and warmer, with a spicy, slightly lemony flavor. It is a classic spice in German and French cuisine and indispensable in traditional sausage production. Marjoram goes well with meat dishes, especially pork, lamb, poultry, and minced meat. It also enhances potato dishes, soups, and stews. Because its delicate aroma is sensitive to heat, marjoram is best added toward the end of cooking to retain its full flavor. It is used both fresh and dried, with the dried form having a more concentrated flavor.

Lovage, colloquially known as "Maggi herb," ​​is a robust and aromatic culinary herb prized for its intense, savory flavor. Its aroma is strongly reminiscent of celery and the spicy notes of the well-known liquid Maggi seasoning. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, but the stems, roots, and seeds can also be used for seasoning. Due to its dominant flavor, lovage should be used sparingly. It is an essential spice in German and Eastern European cuisine, adding a deep, spicy base note to soups, stews, broths, and sauces. It also goes well with potato dishes, braised meats, and herb curds. Lovage is available fresh, dried, or frozen, although the dried herb has a more concentrated flavor.

Fennel seeds (whole) are a versatile spice known for their sweet, anise- and licorice-like aroma. The small, greenish-brown seeds come from the fennel plant and are widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine. Their flavor is warm and slightly sweet, and they are often used in dishes that require longer cooking times to fully release their aroma. Whole fennel seeds are an essential ingredient in curry powders and garam masala, as well as in cured meats, breads, and pastries. They are excellent with fish and meat dishes, especially roast pork and lamb, as they provide a beautiful contrast to the fatty meat. In Indian cuisine, they are often chewed after meals as a digestive aid or mouth freshener. Lightly toasting them in a pan intensifies their flavor and makes them nuttier.

Tarragon is an elegant and versatile herb known for its distinctive, slightly sweet aroma reminiscent of anise and licorice, with a spicy, peppery note. It is a central spice in classic French cuisine, where it is often called the "king of herbs." There are two main varieties: the more intense French tarragon and the slightly milder Russian tarragon. Its unique flavor pairs perfectly with light sauces, such as the famous béarnaise sauce, as well as with eggs, poultry, and fish. Tarragon also blends well with other herbs such as chervil, parsley, and chives and is an essential ingredient in the herb blend "Fines herbes." It also adds a distinctive flavor when preserved in vinegars and oils. Tarragon's aroma is very dominant, so it should be used sparingly. The herb is best used fresh, as its flavor diminishes with drying.

Dill is a versatile herb known for its fresh, slightly sweet, and lemony aroma, often reminiscent of anise. The delicate, feathery leaves of the dill plant are used both fresh and dried. As a spice, dill is essential in Northern European, Scandinavian, and Eastern European cuisine. Its flavor pairs beautifully with fish and seafood, especially salmon, herring, and shrimp, making it a staple ingredient in dishes such as gravlax and pickled herring. Dill is also used in cucumber salads, yogurt sauces (such as tzatziki), dips, and soups. Dill seeds, which have a stronger and slightly pepperier flavor, are often used in pickled vegetables such as pickles or sauerkraut. Because the aroma of fresh dill dissipates quickly when heated, it is usually added at the end of cooking or used as a garnish.

Fun fact:
This spice blend, which originated in England in the 19th century, is rarely used in Indian cuisine. Curry makes the world go round!

Ingredients:
Cinnamon, Clove, Cayenne, Allspice, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, Coriander, Fenugreek, Nutmeg

Store in a dry place protected from light.

Ingredients: Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, Anise

Fenugreek seeds come from the plant of the same name, which belongs to the legume family. They are a versatile spice that plays an important role, especially in Indian, North African, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Their flavor is very distinctive and complex: raw, the hard, yellowish seeds are often slightly bitter, with an earthy undertone reminiscent of celery or fenugreek. However, if the seeds are briefly roasted before use, they develop a nutty, spicy, and slightly sweet aroma, reminiscent of maple syrup. This process softens the bitterness and makes them truly palatable. In cooking, fenugreek seeds are usually used ground or whole in curry spice blends (such as garam masala), stews, lentil dishes (dal), soups, and bread. They add a unique flavor and depth to dishes. They are also a key ingredient in the Turkish spice paste chemen and Georgian walnut paste. The seeds are also known for their digestive properties and are traditionally used in natural medicine.

Bertram (Anacyclus pyrethrum) is a fascinating spice and ancient medicinal plant that has regained popularity primarily through the writings of Hildegard von Bingen. The plant, which belongs to the daisy family, resembles chamomile in appearance, but only the root is used as a spice. After harvesting, the bertram root is dried and ground into a fine powder. Bertram's flavor is unique: initially, it tastes mild and slightly earthy before a warming, peppery spiciness spreads in the mouth. This aroma, which is also reminiscent of mustard, adds a special depth to many dishes. Bertram has a wide variety of uses in the kitchen. It goes perfectly with savory dishes such as soups, stews, sauces, meat and fish dishes. It is also used in modern cuisine, for example in porridge, spelt dishes, or even on a simple buttered bread. Hildegard von Bingen valued bertram not only for its taste, but also for its digestive and generally strengthening properties, which is why it is often referred to as the "universal spice" in Hildegard's cuisine.

Dried, cut basil is a convenient and long-lasting alternative to fresh basil. It is obtained by gently drying the leaves, which extends the herb's shelf life but loses some of its intense, fresh flavor. While fresh basil has a sweet, slightly peppery aroma, the dried variety develops a more concentrated, slightly earthier flavor that is less volatile. In cooking, dried basil is often used in dishes that require longer cooking times, as it retains its flavor well, unlike the fresh variety. It is excellent in tomato sauces, soups, stews, marinades, and braised dishes. Because the flavor is less intense, it can be used more liberally. It is often used as part of a spice blend or as a complement to other herbs such as oregano and thyme to add depth to Mediterranean dishes. While it cannot replace the unique, fresh flavor of fresh basil, it is a reliable ingredient for adding a spicy, herbal touch to dishes.

Radix Zedoariae

For digestive problems. To make a cup of tea, pour 1 teaspoonful of boiling water over it and strain after 10 minutes. Close tightly again after removal. Keep out of the reach of children.

Cortex Cinnamomi chinensis

For mild digestive problems. To make a cup of tea, pour 1 teaspoonful of boiling water over it and strain after 10 minutes. Warning: Cinnamon bark preparations should not be used if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers or during pregnancy. Close tightly again after removal. Keep out of the reach of children.

Flos Crataegi

For mild heart and circulatory problems. To make a cup of tea, pour 1 teaspoonful of boiling water over it and strain after 10 minutes. Close tightly again after removal. Keep out of the reach of children.