Spices create the flavor

The good old salt and pepper are not the only spices that bring flavor to food. The right spices bring out and enhance the original flavor of the food without overpowering it.

The ABC of seasoning

Seasoning is not difficult – but to get the best results, you have to keep on practicing. There is no one right way to season. If you want the characteristic flavors of the ingredients to stand out, use spices judiciously, only a few per dish. On the other hand, remember to be bold while seasoning. A versatile use of spices and spice combinations bring out completely new features of the food.

Our seasoning products

Dry spices Meira is the market leader in dry spices in Finland. The Meira seasoning range has been the best-selling and most...

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Ketchups and mustards The tangy flavor of ketchup and the sweet or spicy flavor of mustard complement various dishes by enhancing the flavors...

Salts Salt brings out and enhances the original flavor of the food without overpowering it. The sodium in the salt is...

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The basics of seasoning

Start seasoning carefully and gradually add the spices. Always taste the food before adding more spices. Measure the spices with a spoon or the palm of your hand. Do not pour the spices directly from the jar. It takes about fifteen minutes for the spices to release their best aromas in warm dishes. In cold dishes, such as dipping sauces, it takes around two hours for the flavors to fully come out.

1. Whole spices

Whole spices, such as pepper, bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick are used in dishes that require a long simmering time. Add them when you start preparing the food.

2. Ground spices and groats

Add the ground spices and groats as well as the more delicate herbs that tend to lose their flavor at the end of preparing the dish. Savory, rosemary, sage and thyme are exeptions and release their best aromas during simmering.

3. Seared surface

Add the spices to the freshly seared surface so that they do not burn during frying. Over-flavoring can be corrected by increasing the amounts of other spices and providing mild side dishes (potato, rice, pasta). Excessively strong flavors can also be alleviated by adding fat or dairy products to the food.

4. Adding salt

Add salt only when the dish is fully prepared. Always taste the dish before adding salt. When using salty spice mixes, be especially careful when adding more salt to your dish. Many spice ranges also contain unsalted spice blends that only add taste instead of increasing the salinity of the dish.

Tips for the spice rack

Storing spices Meira Quality Guarantee ensures that the spice packages always contain the best raw materials from the latest harvest. ...

Nine refreshing varieties in your spice rack These exotic spices will bring new refreshing flavors to your traditional everyday dishes.

Use your leftover spices for dry rubs Use the leftover spices from your spice cabinet to mix dry rubs of them. Dry rubs are excellent for example for...

Chilies - from appetizer to dessert Whether you are cooking a savory or sweet dish, you should always keep one main flavor of the dish in mind. Hot chili is...

Spices increase the attractiveness of food

The most common use of spices is to modify the flavor of food. However, spices have another important purpose - improving the look and smell of the food.

Heating some curry and paprika powder in a dash of oil before adding other ingredients will give your food a beautiful color and enhance the flavor.

How to store spices

Buy spices according to your needs in fairly small batches. The worst enemies of spices are light, heat, air and moisture. The best place to store spices is a dry and cool place, protected from sunlight. The spice rack on top of the stove might be conveniently at hand, but it is not to be recommended as a place to store the spices!

Check your spice cabinet at least once a year and remove old products that no longer have the aroma left. Whole spices retain their aroma longer than ground spices.