Mocha beans, who doesn't love them? Delicious dark chocolate sweets in the shape of a coffee bean. But what is mocha and where does it come from? Mocha is a type of first quality coffee bean, named after the Yemeni city of Mocha. Mocha is,...
Wasabi nuts are peanuts with a crunchy, wasabi-flavored coating. Originally from Japan, wasabi is made from the root stem of the asabia japonica root. Real wasabi is expensive and difficult to store, so most sushi restaurants use a mix of horseradish, radish, mustard and leafy...
Nuts, we all know them. But where do they actually come from? The history of 'borrel' nuts starts in Indonesia. Ketjang Pedis (peanuts with a spiced coating) has traditionally been a popular snack there. After the Second World War, two Javanese brothers introduced them to...
What is it? Cumin also belongs to the umbellifer family, and originally comes from the regions around Iran, Syria and Turkey. The leaves of the plant resemble fennel, the flowers are white or lilac, and the taste is nutty. It is a popular spice that...
What is it? Jasmine tea is the combination of tea leaves with jasmine blossoms or buds. It is mixed in black, white and green tea, but green tea with jasmine is by far the most popular. During production, the tea is dried, along with the...
What is it? The seeds and fruits of anise and star anise are widely used as a spice in Asian cuisine, for example in drinks, tea, sauces and marinades. However, there is a difference between the two: aniseed is an herb from the umbellifer family,...
What is it? The healthy and fragrant spice cinnamon is actually the dried inner bark of the cinnamon tree and is used for both sweet and savory dishes. You only have to smell it, and you'll be reminded of autumn, warm apple pie and cosiness....
What is it? You probably know coriander (also known as cilantro or ketumbar) from Asian and Mexican cuisine, but this plant from the umbellifer family is native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The taste is fresh, but overpowering - you love it or...
What is it? Bay leaf comes from the bay laurel plant. It can grow up to 15 meters high and thrives in Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Turkey. You will find the dried leaves in almost every kitchen cabinet, because it is often used...
What is it? This aromatic purple plant comes from the Lipflower family and is commonly found in Southern Europe. The small flowers are a big favorite among bees, bumblebees and butterflies, but we as humans also love them in the kitchen. You can use the...