encyclopedia of spices

Information about exotic spices and herbs, the history of the spice trade, culinary uses, recipes and the medicinal properties of spices.

Types of Cream

Clotted dream or double? Single or sour? Whipped cream, crème fraîche, half-and half or long life? We’ll help you select the right cream for your needs. 

The Spice Trade

The story of spices is filled with courage and adventure, greed and cruelty.

Italian Wines

We know know them as Chianti, Barolo, Amarone, Valpolicella – now meet the grapes behind the wines.

Welcome to the Epicentre Spices

“Spice” is a culinary term, not a botanical category. It refers to parts of certain trees, roots, flowers, seeds and fruits of herbaceous plants. Cassia and cinnamon are from the bark of a tree. Chile peppers are a fruit. Cloves, a flower bud. Ginger, a root and caraway is seeds. Spices each have a distinctly unique aroma and flavour.

Herbs are from the aromatic leafy parts of plants such as cilantro, basil or thyme.

Spices define much about a culture’s cuisine. Aromatic and savoury or warm and sweet, the combinations of spices are key to flavour, whether used in authentic traditional dishes or in unusual and unexpected ways. We hope to show you both ways with everything from Indian spices like curry, fenugreek and garam masala to poultry seasoning and herbes de Provence.

Health benefits of Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices do more than just flavour food. They help you cut back on unhealthy ingredients, such as salt, sugars and saturated fat. Try cooking your carrots in a low fat chicken broth then adding some ground cinnamon or chopped parsley. Before cooking, rub chicken, beef or pork with a combination of herbs and spices, let the flavour permeate the meat for several hours and  enjoy a new taste sensation. Not sure which to blend? Explore our website and you will find all kinds of ideas.

They also have many impressive health benefits. Ongoing research is revealing the ultimate power of herbs and spices as weapons against illnesses from Alzheimer’s disease to cancer or diabetes. We are now seeing the scientific proof for why civilizations have used spices medicinally for thousands of years. While herbs and spices may not directly cure disease there is strong evidence showing some spices actually help manage chronic conditions. Read more about how herbs and spices fight disease.

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The Epicentre Spices

featured herb blend: zatar

AKA zahtar or zaatar this herb blend is predominately ground sumac, roasted sesame seeds, and green herbs. Use for meats and vegetables, or mix with olive oil and use as a marinade

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The Epicentre Spice Collections

featured blend: berbere

Pronounced as “ber-beray”.A popular Ethiopian blend, it adds wonderful spiciness when used as a rub for red or white meats for roasting, grilling, barbecuing or pan-frying.

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feature spice: star anise

featured spice: star anise

This dried, star-shaped spice has a smokey, licorice flavour, making it a distinctive ingredient in Chinese braised dishes and Malaysian curries.

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