The Aromatic Threads of Culinary Heritage

By Joseph Steele. 

Walking through the bustling alleyways of the souks of the Middle East, you are enveloped in a world where the scent of spices uplifts your journey. Each mound of spice, piled to unfathomable heights, boasts bold and different hues. Vendors call out, shoppers bargain and with it, we echo the ancient trades of the spice route. Each aroma carries with it stories of traders and explorers who traversed harsh deserts and sailed distant seas. All in the pursuit of the most precious of cargos - spices.

This is the world of Middle Eastern spices – a colourful and aromatic journey that has shaped cuisines, cultures and histories across the globe.

The legendary paths of the ancient spice routes stitched the East to the West and amidst the arid landscapes, spices worth more than gold were traded by eager merchants. These veins of cultural exchange opened up the world to new flavours and soon seduced its palate. It was also here that the foundations for a global trade network flourished.

Saffron, sumac and cardamom first found their way around these commercial arteries.

Saffron
Threads of Luxury

Revered as the ‘red gold’, saffron is known for its vibrant colour and intoxicating aroma (the fact that it costs more than gold also adds to its notoriety). Harvested and processed entirely by hand, this precious spice requires 75,000 flowers to produce a single pound. Famed not only for its flavour, but also for its role in historical trade dynamics, adding a luxurious touch to dishes and dyes alike.

Sumac
Elegantly Sour

This deep, red spice has a surprising zing reminiscent of lemon. Before the introduction of lemons, sumac was used by the Romans as a souring agent. Ground from wild berries grown throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, sumac brings a tart, floral spark to everything it touches. Famously used in za’atar, sumac perfectly captures the beauty of Middle Eastern cuisine. Bold, punchy and unapologetic.

Cardamom
The Queen of Spices

Revered as the ‘Queen of spices’, cardamom holds a special place in Middle Eastern cuisine. A key component in qahwa, the traditional coffee brew, cardamom’s smoky and sweet notes linger like the whispered secrets of ancient times. Its robust flavour is a marriage of eucalyptus-like freshness and peppery warmth. Perfect for hearty stews or decadent sweets.

Middle Eastern spices do more than flavour our food. With every pinch lies a history of empires built and transformed, an aromatic story of culinary wonder and adventure that continues to evolve and inspire.

Gewürzhaus offers 250 spices, herbs, salts, peppers, teas and sugars from around the world and more than 100 exclusive small-batch blends. Shop now.