If you’re new to cooking, you might be overwhelmed by the choices of spices available at your local grocery store. With so many options, it’s hard to know where to start. This is a beginner’s guide to spices and we will address all your spicy cooking questions. Do you need all of them? What do they even taste like?
This guide introduces you to how you can make a great choice when shopping for spices. It will also help you understand the basics of how to select and use spices to add flavor to your cooking.
Why should you use spices?
Adding spices to your food is a great way to boost the flavor without adding any extra calories. That’s because spices add flavor without adding any actual substance. They’re basically concentrated flavorings that can make a big impact with just a small amount. Spices can also help to enhance the natural flavors of your ingredients.
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For example, adding a bit of cumin to your ground beef will make the beef taste more beefy. Or if you’re making a vegetable dish, adding some ginger can help to bring out the sweetness of the carrots or squash.

Spices can also be used to add new dimensions of flavor to your dishes. If you’re bored with the way your food tastes, adding some new spices can be a great way to mix things up. Trying out new spice combinations is part of the fun of cooking!
How to choose the right spices for your dish
When you’re choosing spices for a dish, it’s important to consider what flavors will go well together. You don’t want to end up with a dish that tastes muddy or bland because the flavors are all muddled together. A good rule of thumb is to start with just one or two complementary spices and then add more if needed. You can always add more spice, but it’s hard to take it away once it’s in there!
If you’re not sure what spices go well together, a good way is to use premade spice blends such as garam masala. You could also experiment and see what combinations you like best. Trying new spice combinations is part of the fun of cooking!
How to store spices
Proper storage is important for keeping your spices fresh and full of flavor. Dry spices should be stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cabinet. Sunshine and heat will cause them to lose their potency over time.
Wet spices should be refrigerated. It’s also important to keep your dry spices away from moisture, which can cause them to clump up or grow mold. If your spices are starting to clump together, you can try putting them in the freezer or dry them in the sun for a few hours. Just be sure to put them back in their airtight container right after drying.

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Beginner’s guide on using spices
- To get the most flavor out of your spices, toast them in a dry pan over low heat for a few minutes before adding them to your dish. This helps to release their essential oils and makes them more potent.
- When adding spices to your dish, it’s best to add a little amount at first and then add more if needed. It’s easier to add more spice than it is to take it away!
- When cooking with fresh herbs, add them towards the end of cooking so they don’t lose their flavor.
- If you want a quick and easy way to add some extra flavor to your meals, try using spice blends like curry powder or garam masala. Our Jala Spices are also fresh, natural and convenient spice blends. All these blends contain several different spices that work well together and can save you time in the kitchen.
IN ESSENCE,
spices are a great way to boost the flavor of your food without adding any extra calories. They can also help to enhance the natural flavors of your ingredients and adds new dimensions of flavor to your dishes. With this beginner’s guide, you should now know how to choose and use spices in your cooking!
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