4 Warm, Aromatic Spices to Heat Up Tasty Treats
Gone are the days of craving cool, refreshing organic spices. It’s time to start cooking with spices that conjure thoughts of winter months and holiday cheer. Earlier this year, we covered chili spices: Chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper, which was dedicated to vegan and vegetarian chili. Now it’s time to cover winter spices that complement organic baked goods and holiday treats: Think cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.
Cinnamon
I go crazy for this spice. I use it every day to make my morning cup… okay, cups of joe extra spicy. The residual health benefits of sprinkling cinnamon on my coffee aren’t too shabby, either.
Cinnamon health benefits:
- Cinnamon can stabilize blood sugar.
- A 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower bad cholesterol (or LDL).
- Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.
This cider-spiked persimmon bread includes cinnamon and a few of the spices I’ve yet to mention.
Cloves
I remember when I first used this spice. I stuck a few cloves in a big orange and proudly presented it to my mom. Little did I know that cloves had other uses, such as a digestive aid and oral antiseptic!
Try this recipe for pickled fall fruits and enjoy the warm taste cloves create.
Ginger
This spice is great atop sweet potatoes and carrots. It’s also great for decreasing motion sickness and nausea.
Try this apple pumpkin bumpkin cocktail and enjoy the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon and allspice.
Nutmeg
I’ve also been known to sprinkle a tiny bit of nutmeg in my morning coffee. This aromatic spice can ease upset stomachs, get rid of blemishes and help you sleep.
This recipe for autumn spiced popcorn includes warming (and mouth watering) nutmeg.
image: Steenbergs
