Bay Leaves

Origin: Turkey

Usage: Green to pale green, occasionally brown-hued leaves.  Referred to as the “royal herb” by ancient Greeks, this summer herb is a member of the mint family. European Sweet is milder than California Swet and has a slight anise flavor. Practically everything tastes better with basil including but not limited to; tomatoes, corn, olives, mozzarella cheese, poultry, seafood, pasta, sauces and pizza. 

Did You Know? Legend has it that basil leaves, macerated, are excellent for drawing out poison from the bites of insects or snakes.

AIRS Fragrances: Lavender & Sweet Basil Bath Salts , Cedar Sage Room Spray _________________________

Black Tellicherry Pepper

Origin: Malabar Coast, India

Tellicherry black peppercorns are the best of the best and come from the Malabar Coast of India. These peppercorns are left on the vine to mature longer, creating a mellow, well-rounded taste which is a bit fruity. 

They are picked at the pinnacle of ripeness and laid in the sun to dry and turn black. You will notice their superior size compared to other peppercorns and appreciate their complex flavor. Add whole to soups, stews and marinades.  

Did You Know? The first American millionaire was Elias Haskett Derby, who made his money importing black pepper. He used his fortune to endow Yale University.

AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Wands, Jamaica Room Sprays ________________________________

Cajun Seasoning

Origin: USA

Usage: Spicy seasoning for grilling, dips, spreads.  Salt, Spices, Paprika, Dextrose, Onion, Garlic

Did you know:  During the past several years, many companies have come out with Creole or Cajun seasoning blends, usually at prices far beyond what the ingredients cost. Always make your own.

AIRS Fragrances: Jaguar Spirit Room Spray, Jamaica Bulk Wands

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Caraway Seeds Whole

Origin: Asia and parts of Europe

Usage: Caraway has a sharp, stimulating aroma and is sometimes confused with fennel or cumin. Its flavor has a nutty, bittersweet sharpness with a hint of citrus and anise. Caraway seeds are used in rye and brown breads, crackers, sausages, soups and stews. 

Did You know? You can chew raw caraway seeds to aid in digestion,  to promote appetite, and to sweeten breath.

AIRS Fragrances: Turkish Carnation Bulk Wands

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Cardamom Seeds

Origin: India, Guatemala

Usage; In the Cardamom Hills of southern India, wild cardamom bushes have grown for some 2000 years. Guatemala is now the chief exporter of the highest quality cardamom pods.

Cardamom has a strong, pungent aroma and a flowery flavor. It belongs to the family of the ginger plants. There are 17 to 20 tiny inner seeds in each peanut sized pod.  If kept in an airtight container, they will stay fresh up to one year. 

Did you know? Chewing the cardamom seeds will cleanse your breath, and is particularly handy for garlic lovers.

AIRS Fragrances: Turkish Carnation Room Spray 

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Cassia

Origin: Burma, hot wet tropics of China, East and West Indies, Central America.

AIRS Fragrances:  Kashmir, Star Sandalwood

Celery Seed

Origin: Europe

Usage: The celery that we eat today developed from a wild European plant that grew near the sea. The seeds add great flavor to potatoes, especially potato salad. 

Did you know? In Chinese medicine, celery seeds are used as a standard treatment for calming the body, dizziness and high blood pressure.

 AIRS Fragrances: Black Opium Bulk Wands,, Jasmine Italian Bulk Perfume Oil 

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Cinnamon Stick

Origin: Ceylon, China, Sumatra

Usage: Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices.  Cinnamon was one of the major factors in the exploration of the new world, playing a decisive role in the discovery of America.  Cinnamon still ranks as one of the most popular flavors and of utmost importance for all bakers! 

Cinnamon actually comes from the bark of trees in the evergreen family. Most  cinnamon comes from the "cinnamomum cassia" family. The higher the oil content, the more aroma and flavor. Therefore, cassia types of cinnamon , which average higher oil content than the other types, are rated superior by the cinnamon loving population.  Sticks are the perfect addition for curries, desserts and syrups.

Did you know? To ancient Egyptians cinnamon was an essential part of the embalming process.

AIRS Fragrances: Kashmir Room Spray , Delphi Mini Sticks

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Cloves

Origin: Molucca Islands ( known as the Spice Islands), Madagascar, Indonesia, Brazil and Zanzibar.

Usage: Cloves have an almost pungent aroma as well as a sweet and spicy flavor. They are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree, which is a tropical evergreen that can live up to 100 years.

Whole cloves can be used as garnishes, to stud fruit, hams or onions, and for decorating . Be careful when using cloves in a dish that is left to stand, as they can add sharpness to the flavor.   

Did you know? On the Molucca Islands, the natives plant a clove tree for every child born. They believe that the fate of the tree was linked to the fate of that child.

AIRS Fragrances:  Kashmir Bulk Wands, Pine & Lemonpeel, Sage & Citrus,

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Cumin Seeds

Origin: Egypt, India, North Africa

Usage: Cumin, also known as comino, is native to the Nile valley in Egypt. Currently, more than 50% of all cumin comes from India. Cumin is one of the most consumed spices right after chiles and peppercorns and is a key ingredient in many curry and chili powders.

 Use whole seeds in pickles, sauerkraut, soups and breads. At most good French restaurants, mild cheeses are served with a little dish of cumin seeds and pepper. As with all seeds, roasting them will bring out their full aromatic flavor.   

Did you know? During the Middle Ages, cumin was thought to keep lovers from fickleness and keep chickens from leaving their yard.

 AIRS Fragrances: Delphi, Pine & Lemonpeel, Sage & Citrus.

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Dill Seeds

Origin: Eurpoe, southern Russia

Usage: The highest quality dill seed is now cultivated in India. Dill seeds are teardrop shaped, flat and light brown in color. The seeds are so light that you get more than 10,000 seeds in an ounce.  The flavor of dill seed is crisp and slightly pungent with an aromatic flavor that is similar to caraway. 

Dill seeds are great for pickling, tomato juice or soup, sprinkled over salads and dressings, breads and fish. They also combine well with mustard and coriander. 

 Did you know? One tablespoon of dill seed contains more calcium than a cup of milk!

AIRS Fragrances: Cedar Sage & Eucalyptus Bulk Wands

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Garlic

Origin: Central Asia, Mediterranean

Usage: Garlic is now cultivated and widely used all around the world. As it’s one of the most popular seasonings, you will find yourself in need of garlic when cooking almost any dish. Having dehydrated garlic around is essential. Not only is it a wonderful flavoring agent, but this garlic doesn’t spoil.

Dehydrated garlic releases its full flavor after it is moistened. There is no need to re-hydrate the powdered or granulated versions, but it is very easy to re-hydrate the minced and chopped pieces. Simply soak in a bowl of warm water for 15 minutes, drain and use as fresh.

Did You Know? Thomas Nash, Sixteenth Century Poet described garlic: "Garlick maketh a man wynke, drynke, and stynke."

AIRS Fragrance: None so far.

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Crystallized Ginger

Usage: Crystallized ginger, or candied ginger, is young, fibreless ginger that has been steeped in cane sugar syrup and crystallized. The sweet, yet sharp flavor of crystallized ginger not only has a flavor that grows on you, it’s good for you too.

Ginger has been recognized for its medicinal values for centuries. It is most commonly associated with easing digestion and alleviating motion sickness. 

Did you know? Many Obstetricians recommend crystallized ginger for morning sickness to ease nausea and vomiting.

 AIRS Fragrances: Kashmir Room Spray

Green Peppercorn Mysore

Origin: Mysore, India

Usage:These green peppercorns from Mysore, India are true peppercorns that evolve from the plant family Piperaceae. A product of the black peppercorn,these are the unripe berries of the same vine that are picked before matured. Green peppercorns are the spiciest of all the peppercorns. They produce an immediate hot sensation that lingers for quite some time but is clean and fresh.  

Did you know? In Elizabethan times, pepper was sold by the individual grain and guards on the London docks had their pockets sewn up so they couldn’t steal any.

AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Wands, Turkish Carnation Bulk Pillars

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Lavender Seeds and Flowers

Origin: France, England

Usage: Native to the Mediterranean, lavender is mainly cultivated in France and England but grows all around the world. Lavender has a sweet, floral aroma with a hint of mint and citrus. The flavor matches the aroma with just a touch of bitterness.  Lavender is surprisingly delicious in jams and honeys.

Did you know? You can apply one drop of sage or lavender oil to speed healing of skin abrasions.

AIRS Fragrances: Lavender Room Spray,  Secret Garden Bulk Wands

Lemonpeel

Origin: Lebanon

Lemon  peel or lemon zest contains a high percentage of essential oils which produces an amazing flavor. The lemon peel is carefully removed, discarding any white pith that may lie beneath, and quickly dried to preserve the flavor. When using dried lemon peel in place of fresh lemon use 1/3 of the recommended recipe. It is so much stronger.

Once mainly used in baking, because of its high oil content lemon peel is now commonly used in recipes containing seafood, chicken, pork, vegetables, rice, marinades and dressings. Reconstitute by soaking in water for 15 to 20 minutes to produce a fresh lemon flavor.   

AIRS Fragrances: Pine & Lemon Peel, Sage & Citrus, Delphi Mini Sticks, Jaguar Spirit Perfume Oil

Lemongrass

Origin: Asia

Usage: Lemon grass, also known as takrai, sera and bai mak nao, is a tropical grass that used to be cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia. It is now grown and cultivated in West Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and here in the States. Used mainly in Asian, Thai, Vietnamese, Malay and Indonesian cuisine, it imparts a clean, lemony flavor to soups, stocks, stews and curries. 

Lemon grass pairs well with garlic, galangal, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, coconut milk, basil, cilantro and chilies.

AIRS Fragrances: Lemongrass Incense, Pine & Lemonpeel Room Spray

Nutmeg

Origin: Banda Islands, Indonesia (Spice Islands)

Usage: Nutmeg is the seed of a fruit produced by an evergreen tree. This unique tree is one of a few plants that produce two spices, nutmeg and mace, which is the protective outer layer of the nutmeg.

The two  share a similar flavor and can be used in place of each other in a pinch. The best and the biggest nutmegs come from the island of Grenada. 

Nutmeg has a fresh, rich aroma and a woody, bittersweet flavor with hints of clove. When used in cakes, breads, pastries, fruit dishes and pies it pairs well with ginger, cinnamon and cloves. When used in lamb, mutton, meat stews, spinach dishes, veal, vegetable recipes and even pasta sauces, it pairs well with cumin, coriander, pepper and thyme. Whole nutmegs keep indefinitely.

Did you know? The flag of Grenada features a nutmeg, the island's main export item.

AIRS Fragrances: Kashmir Bulk Perfume Oil, Kahsmir Room Spray

Chilli Pepper

Usage: There are over 200 varieties of chiles, varying in length from a 1/4-inch to 12 inches. Their heat quotient varies from mildly warm to fiery hot. A chile’s colour can be anywhere from green to yellow to red to black. As a general rule, the larger the chile the milder it is.

The seeds and membranes contain most of the chile’s capsaicin, the oil that gives chiles their heat. Removing a chile’s seeds and veins is the only way to reduce its heat.

Did you know? The official state vegetables of New Mexico are the chilli  and frijoles (pinto beans). 

 AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Wands, Turkish Carnation Bulk Wands

Pink Peppercorn

Origin: Brazil

Usage: Pink peppercorns have a delicate, fragrant, sweet, and spicy flavor. They are  reminiscent of a mild citrus zest and sweet berries. Pink peppercorns go especially well in fruit sauces, vinaigrettes, and desserts.  They have a rich rose color that adds an elegant appearance to any cuisine.

AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Pillars, Turkish Carnation Bulk Pillars

Red Bell Pepper

Usage: Bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C. If you thought citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, peppers have them beat. Green peppers have twice the amount of vitamin C by weight than citrus fruits, and this powerful punch of vitamin C is an antioxidant that may be effective in preventing certain cancers. Red bell peppers have three times as much vitamin C as the green varieties and are a good source of beta carotene.

AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Wands, Turkish Bulk Wands

White Muntok Peppers

Origin: India

Usage:  Pepper is the dried berry of Piper nigrum vine . Black Pepper, the spiciest,  are berries that are picked unripe.  The berries used for White Pepper are ripened on the vine and soaked so that their outer hulls are easily removed.  Muntok pepper, is grown exclusively for making white pepper. 

AIRS Fragrances: Jamaica Bulk Wands, Turkish Carnation Bulk Wands

Rosemary

Herbaceous refers to a fragrance that’s natural and hay-like, maybe even a little therapeutic. Some examples are chamomile, lavender, rosemary and sage.

1999, Aqua Allegoria Herbal Perfume for women, 1999, Guerlain, is classified a refreshing green herbal perfume. Recommended for day wear. 

AIRS Fragrances: Cedar Sage & Eucalyptus, Lavender

Fun Trivia Worth Remembering

•  Originating in India and Sri Lanka, peppercorns--the pungent fruit of a perennial climbing shrub--can truly be said to have launched a thousand ships. Pepper's ability to spice up the bland European diet made it an item of extreme luxury and a staple of trade between Europe and India from the earliest days of commerce--worth its weight in gold...because overland traders squeezed every penny out of the pepper business that they could.  
• Just a few pounds of black pepper was truly a gift reserved for kings.  so goes the  story of the Venerable Bede, an  English monk  of the Dark Ages who - at the point of death in 735 AD - carefully divided his greatest treasure amongst his friends: a handful of pepper.
•  The earliest recorded use of a spice - sesame seed - comes from an Assyrian myth. This myth claims that the gods drank sesame wine the night before they created the earth. The first real evidence we have of spice use comes from the art work and writings of early civilizations. Hieroglyphs in the Great Pyramid at Giza show workers eating garlic and onions for strength.
• Around 400 BC Hippocrates, the Greek physician, listed more than 400 medicines made with spices and herbs, about half of which we still use today.
• Romans  sailed from Egypt to India to trade spices. It was a difficult two-year voyage across the Indian Ocean to get pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Spices were available only to the upper class, who valued them as highly as gold. Much much later,  Columbus and other daring European explorers set off around Africa and into the unknown Atlantic to try find a direct route to India that would shorten the trip and cut out the middlemen.. And so history was made...

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