Spices

Variety is the spice of life; and a variety of spices makes life all the spicier! Spices are an important part of the culinary arts in every culture. Some areas in particular, such as Southeast Asia, produce a great number of spices used all over the globe. Almost invariably, spices give a more active and nuanced flavor when they have been crushed and ground. Thank goodness, then, for the mortar and pestle! The pages below describe a few spices that you might find in a cook's mortar: cumin, cardamom, cilantro, fennel, marjoram, and garlic.