Why You Should be Buying Spice Blends Instead

Why You Should be Buying Spice Blends Instead

 

Many dishes call for a multitude of spices to create the best flavor for the meal, but with dozens of different specialty spices in the grocery store, it is inconvenient to buy six or seven separate spices for a single dish. Most of these will sit on your shelf unused, waiting for the next time a dish calls for a unique spice.  A traditional recipe for curry can call for up to 20 different spices and herbs like cardamom, sesame seeds, saffron, fennel, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, chilies, cloves, and more. To save their wallets and shelf space, professionals and casual chefs are turning to seasoning blends because of their convenience. 

Ease 

Buying custom spice blends can be more efficient and cost-effective than buying numerous individual spices. Another advantage to using seasoning blends is that you can simply add the mix to your dish rather than measuring out each spice separately. The blends are also specially curated for a specific dish, guaranteeing the best flavor profile for what you’re making. “Spice blends are a good way to pack flavor into dishes — especially when you are short on time,” says Leah Cohen, chef, restaurant owner, judge on Great American Recipe and former Top Chef contestant. Additionally, these blends can be tailored to your specific needs like dietary restrictions, restrictions or allergies. 

Health

Many cheaply made store-bought spices and seasoning blends use harmful additives to increase flavor and shelf life. A lot of these are filled with sugar, sodium and unhealthy refined oils. For example, chili powder seasoning often contains a high amount of sodium, which can raise your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease over time. These blends are made haphazardly as brands are more focused on profit than the integrity of the flavor and ingredients. Natural Moose Spices use only the highest quality ingredients for intense flavor without the additives that other brands use. 

 Whether you crave a rich Indian madras curry flavor, a fish seasoning with depth, or a savory Virginia steak rub, spice blends help you achieve achieve fine-dining flavor in just one bottle.

 

 

2023 Trends in the Tea Market

2023 Trends in the Tea Market

 

The world’s most consumed drink is showing no sign of decreasing in popularity. Following the COVID-19-related lockdown, more people turned to tea for its health benefits. However, as we are leaving that era, the popularity of tea hasn’t decreased. In fact, the industry is predicted to grow from $23.3 billion to $31.6 billion USD, a 36% market increase, from now to 2028. The tea market thrived during the pandemic, but the industry as a whole is changing now to fit our needs in different ways.

 

Ready-to-Drink Options

Our re-entrance into our busy lifestyles, expansion of our purchasing power and drive to rebuild the economy have drastically changed our day-to-day lives. Long gone are the days of sitting at home in lockdown sipping tea. Prepackaged ready-to-drink (RTD) teas are being sold in gas stations, vending machines, and tea stalls across airports, hospitals, shopping malls, school cafeterias, and railways. A lot of the world spends the majority of their waking hours outside of the house running from errands, to work, to other activities with no time in between to brew a cup of tea. The convenience of on-the-go caffeine is creating a whole new market in the world of tea.

 

Innovative Fusion Flavors
Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in experimentation with flavors from around the world. “I see a continued increase in what I call heritage tradition foods, more small producers [around the globe] will continue to bring forth family recipes that are rich in flavors and stories that connect them to home and culture,” said Trendspotter V. Sheree Williams. With the increase in exploring different cultures, tea brands are branching out their flavors to highlight local cultures and cuisines. Many are craving more than just the typical tea varieties they can find in grocery stores and are looking to swap them for new, experimental flavors.

 

Functional Teas
As more Americans are focusing on living healthier lifestyles, herbal and holistic remedies are on the rise, namely, the consumption of functional teas. With 47% of Americans having at least one of three risk factors that contribute to heart disease, it’s no surprise that teas that actively combat these health issues are becoming more popular. Typically in America, tea drinking has been reserved for leisure and relaxation. However, recently, there has been a major shift in the view of tea from a leisure drink to a functional health drink.