Spice Islands Giveaway: Spices for the New Cook Starter Kit

Although two spices share the same name, they may not taste the same. Some vanilla tastes sweeter. Some cinnamon is hotter. And some dill is just…well, dillier!

Spice Islands searches the world for the highest quality and most flavorful spices that tantalize taste buds as part of all your holiday recipes.

This holiday season, we’ve paired up with Spice Islands spice company to help the new cook in your life stock up on all of the flavorful spices that she’ll need! Creating a “New Cook Starter Kit” from Spice Islands is the perfect holiday gift — and we recommend filling it with all of the essentials: salt, pepper, bay leaves, onion powder, garlic powder, dill weed, parsley, basil, summer savory and Spice Island’s proprietary spice blend Beau Monde.

Now you can get a Spice Islands “New Cook Starter Kit” for free! Enter here for a chance to win.

This Giveaway Includes:

About Herbs and Spices

The more you know about spices, the more flavorful your meals will be. Learn tips from the Spice Islands website for bringing out the best flavor in your spices. And watch videos to find out more about your favorite Spice Islands spices.

Shelf Life and Checking Freshness

Spices and herbs are at their best when they’re most intense, so make sure your spices are fresh. Place a small amount in your palm and gently rub with your thumb. The aroma should be rich, full and immediate. If not, it’s probably lost potency. For whole spices, break or crush to release their full fragrance. Then scrape with a knife or grater.

Herbs vs. Spices: A Bit of Botany

The terms herb and spice are used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two. In general, culinary herbs are the leafy portions of a plant, whether dried or fresh. Examples include basil, bay leaves, parsley, cilantro, rosemary and thyme. Spices, on the other hand, are harvested from any other portion of the plant and are typically dried. Popular spices come from berries (peppercorns), roots (ginger), seeds (nutmeg), flower buds (cloves) or even the stamen of flowers (saffron).

Adding Spices: When’s the Best Time?

Timing is everything. Add herbs and spices to your recipe at the right time. Ground herbs and spices release their flavor and aroma more readily than whole. Add near the end of cooking time to minimize the risk of cooking off their flavor. Whole spices and certain herbs, such as bay leaves, release their flavor more slowly, so add them at the start of cooking. Tie them in cheesecloth or place in a tea ball for easy removal.

How to Enter the New Cook Starter Kit Giveaway

Fill in the entry form below to enter.

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This giveaway is sponsored by Spice Islands.