Herbs, Spices & Salts

Q&As about buying salt, dried organic herbs and spices online.

What’s the difference between herbs and spices?

Herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (sorry, couldn’t resist!) come from the leaves of a plant. Whereas spices such as turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, come from the roots, bark and seed. Some like coriander can be both, with the leaves being a herb and the seed a spice.

Both herbs and spices are used to add delicious flavour to food, but many have health benefits,... Read More

Q&As about buying salt, dried organic herbs and spices online.

What’s the difference between herbs and spices?

Herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (sorry, couldn’t resist!) come from the leaves of a plant. Whereas spices such as turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, come from the roots, bark and seed. Some like coriander can be both, with the leaves being a herb and the seed a spice.

Both herbs and spices are used to add delicious flavour to food, but many have health benefits, too. For example cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and reduces blood sugar levels, while turmeric can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Rosemary can help prevent allergies and nasal congestion while oregano is rich in antioxidants and may help fight off bacteria and viruses

How long do herbs and spices last for?

Organic herbs usually have a shelf life of one to three years, dried spices last for two to three years, and whole spices last for three to four years. Keep a note of use-by dates. If you reach for a herb or spice you haven’t used for a while, rub a little between your fingers and then sniff it. If it doesn’t have a pleasing aroma, it’s time to ditch them.

How do you store herbs and spices? 

If you’re buying organic herbs or spices online, you need to store them correctly. We recommend putting them in a sealed container in the pantry or cupboard.

What are the best ways to use herbs and spices?

Dried herbs tend to have a more concentrated flavour than fresh so a good rule of thumb is to use the 3:1 ratio and replace three teaspoons of fresh herbs with one teaspoon of dried.  

There are many delicious recipes that use herbs & spices to add flavour. In this creamy cashew and pumpkin curry, ground ginger, garam masala, turmeric and cumin combine to produce a fragrant dish.

Spices like coriander, cardamom pods, paprika and cayenne pepper take centre stage in this spiced cauliflower soup.

And who could resist these apple and cinnamon pikelets with clove and maple-glazed rhubarb or a steaming mug of turmeric chai?