What Essential Spices I Should Have in My Kitchen

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The kitchen is a place that can be used to whip up a quick meal, savory dishes, or create something more complex. In order for this space to function at its best, it's important to have the right ingredients and tools on hand. One of the things every kitchen should have is essential spices. Spices add that extra burst of heat, sweetness, and depth of flavor to any dish you might prepare, from breakfast through dessert. So what are some essentials?

Some popular choices include cinnamon, cumin, chili flakes, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme and parsley. These spices may not seem like they would go together, but in fact there are many dishes that rely on these spices for their distinctive tastes. The ideal way to store your spices is in jars with lids so as to extend the spice's life.

There are hundreds of different types of spices that you may want to purchase for your home kitchen. This article will discuss some common ones as well as suggest others that you should consider buying for yourself at some point in the future.

What Essential Cooking Spices and Seasonings Should I Have in My Kitchen?

No matter what you're cooking, spices are one of the most crucial elements in your pantry. They'll add tons of flavor to whatever ingredients happen to be on hand - from canned beans and roast veggies all the way up through chicken breasts! But this vast category is far from simple; there's no easy answer when figuring out which ones count as "spices" vs their substitutes (sugar counts?).

The good news is that you don’t need many different spices to get started, and the price of them won't break your bank account. Spices, whether they be whole or ground spices, can be expensive when purchased individually but considering how much we use in our day-to-day cooking routine, they'll last forever if stored properly!

Remember: it's ok to be limited by what's in the supermarket. However, if you have the budget, it'd be wise to invest in the fresher spices, just to have the more potent, flavorful, and cost-effective spices. But whatever is on the shelf, make sure to get your hands on. That being said, here's a list of spices that every kitchen spice cabinet should have in stock:

Black Peppercorns

If you cook at home, then there’s a good chance that black pepper will be one of your most used spices. From cacioppo to curry chicken and more, the robust flavor lasts longer when using whole peppercorns rather than ground versions, because oils don't break down as quickly inside them-- so buy in bulk if possible! For best results, make sure to grind this spice in a pepper grinder.

Cinnamon

You might be surprised to learn that cinnamon has a range of uses both in baking and savory dishes. For example, it's an important element for many spice mixtures with different flavors depending on what you're trying to achieve: certain cinnamon species like Indonesian cinnamon tends towards woody tones, while Vietnamese cinnamon varieties have spicier tastes that could best be compared to Red Hot candies. Also, did you know that there are health benefits with cinnamon use? Cinnamon helps contain natural anti-infectious compounds, helps to regulate blood sugar and reduce harmful LDL cholesterol. It also prevents the proliferation of cancer cells!

Cumin

You know when you have a pot of chili, when you smell that earthy, aromatic scent? More often than not that comes from the versatile spice known as cumin. Whether it be cumin seeds, or whole or ground cumin, this spice is an essential ingredient in many spice blends such as chili and curry powder, and actually lasts longer when whole cumin is grinded. If you don't feel like grinding, it's perfectly fine to purchase a small bottle of ground cumin. Another way to enhance flavor with cumin is to grind or roast cumin seeds.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or Whole Dried Chiles

When you have a hankering for some spice, keep crushed red pepper flakes or whole dried hot peppers on hand. Crushed red pepper flake is what’s used in pizza places and they're made from chili mixed with other spices like cayenne powder, which gives it its signature heat but doesn't overwhelm your taste buds so much that eating becomes uncomfortable. Dried whole chili has been used as a way to add spice and keep kitchen pests at bay since ancient times; crush these before cooking anything up so their oils coat the food lightly without making things too spicy (or burning anyone's mouth). Remember with both of these choices of spice to choose the ones that are most comfortable for your particular taste buds.

Garlic

Garlic is highly regarded as a "building block" of a kitchen's spice rack. Ideally we want garlic fresh, but it'd be wise to have either powdered or granulated garlic so that you can add that spicy, zingy garlic flavor when possible.

When your fresh garlic is in short supply, it's good to have a jar or two of garlic powder made from dehydrated garlic cloves around.You will get more bang for your buck with garlic powder, as the flavor will be much subtler than if you were using whole bulbous heads, but the powder can still give any recipe that added punch needed for balance.

Ground Cloves

Cloves can be found with their BFFs cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in baking recipes. But they’re also popular in beef and pork dishes! With one of the most powerful flavors for any spice or seasoning, clove's benefits only come when used correctly. You'll want to make sure you get the depth of warmth and sweetness to your dish by using this pungent, sweet-and spicy spice.

Mustard Seed/Ground Mustard

The zippy, hot flavor you get from a bottle of brown mustard? That comes from mustard seeds. These little gems are another whole spice to have on hand and they pack one heckuva wallop when added into dishes like macaroni cheese or cooked veggies for extra pop!

Oregano

Oregano is a dried herb that has an earthy, aromatic flavor. It can be found in Italian dishes as well as Mexican dishes, and it's one of the rare herbs preferred dried over fresh due to its strong taste better preserved when dehydrated, making it an awesome addition to any pantry.

Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika is a spice made from chili peppers that can be found in various types and levels of spiciness. There are many different paprikas ranging from sweet to hot, so you have the option for whatever level your taste buds prefer! The same applies to the smell, as the aroma of paprika can affect your internal sinuses.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that you might know from the bright yellow-orange color it adds to cooking. It can be found in Asian dishes and Asian cuisines throughout Southeast Asia as well as Central Asia, but there are more ways to enjoy this amazing ingredient! Turmeric is part of the ginger family that have bright floral mild taste, which makes them good for both savory dishes as well sweet ones depending on how much flavor the extractor wants out of it overall. Home kitchen cooks will love adding some turmeric into their dish whether they're using chicken, rice, chickpea soup, or other foods like them!

There are many different spices to choose from, and no one set way of cooking suits every person. It is important that you find what works best for your own personal taste while still taking into account the ingredients in any recipe or dish being prepared - this will lead not just towards creating tasty food but also preserving freshness!

If you'd like for additional consultation and advice concerning spices, or cooking in general, from our seasoned chefs and staff here at PREP Cooking Classes contact us here!