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Today I replaced my herbs and spices.
It is a very meditative thing to do:
writing labels, washing jars,
moving spices from one jar to the next.
I remember, as I do every year,
how much I like caraway seed cake,
juniper berries for venison casserole,
cloves for a Christmas pomander.
Fines herbes from the French market
are still fresh and so is saffron
that MissM brought back from Dubai
but I need more paprika and turmeric,
bay leaves, rosemary and nutmeg.
I have done this all my married life,
aromas of cinnamon, ginger and cumin
fill the kitchen and I am soothed.
It is a very meditative thing to do:
writing labels, washing jars,
moving spices from one jar to the next.
I remember, as I do every year,
how much I like caraway seed cake,
juniper berries for venison casserole,
cloves for a Christmas pomander.
Fines herbes from the French market
are still fresh and so is saffron
that MissM brought back from Dubai
but I need more paprika and turmeric,
bay leaves, rosemary and nutmeg.
I have done this all my married life,
aromas of cinnamon, ginger and cumin
fill the kitchen and I am soothed.
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I always admire they way you do this as an annual ritual. I think I've only ever done it once (when I found some fenugrek that must have been at least 15 years old!) but instead trust that I'm using things up on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteI don't replace all the spices because some are used very regularly but it is quite a soothing ritual.
DeleteOh dear, yet another forgotten task I must add to the list - I usually do it when Christmas cake baking comes around but last year it got forgotten. I think I have enough nutmeg to last till eternity!
ReplyDeleteYes - I decided that I don't use enough mace - I am not even sure if I have used it once this year.
DeleteI love the scent of spices and herbs. Goes without saying my men mostly dislike every one I like, just the occasional basil, parsley and rarely mint.
ReplyDeleteBland people, they don't realize what they're missing.
Remember that you have all that wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables - no need for spices when there is so much flavour.
DeleteI love your herb tower it has a lovely patina. I do the same and have a herby/spicey clear out every year - although it does prove a costly exercise to replace everything.
ReplyDeleteIt is not my herb tower - I wish! - it is a picture from an auctioneers catalogue. I don't replace all of the spices because some are used very regularly.
DeleteI have a tin in my kitchen that started out with my Great-Grandmother. When you open it the kitchen fills with the loveliest scent of baking spices and peppermint. In it are old icing bags and tips, wee candle holders (for the birthday cakes) odd bits of food coloring and spices. It brings me the warmest, homiest feelings and memories. Now, when my grandchildren visit, there is always a point when they want to "sniff the baking box". Lovely memories - old and new.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, lovely story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
DeleteWow, I am seriously impressed!
ReplyDeleteIs that your own spice tower? It looks lovely.
No - I wish - I didn't even know they existed. I will be looking out for them now in sales of kitchenalia but I am not sure if they are only found in USA.
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