HERBS AND SPICES 10 B: ITALIAN: Tuscan spice mix: PRODUCT REVIEW: BEWARE OF MANUFACTURED SPICES AND HERBS

LINK TO PART A

LINK TO TUSCAN 10 A

LINK TO TUSCAN RED WINE BEEF STEW
10 B:  Tuscan

THE FIRST PART OF THIS POST IS FROM HERBS AND SPICES 10 A - ITALIAN - TUSCAN SPICE MIX 

• LIST OF COMMON SPICES AND HERBS FOUND IN TUSCAN SPICE RECIPE (I read over 30 recipes to calculate this list) 
• sage*
• fennel seeds*
• thyme*
• red pepper flakes*
• green pepper flakes
• black peppercorns*
• rosemary*
• sea salt* **
• kosher salt
• regular table salt
• juniper berries
• basil*
• oregano*
• garlic powder*
• Spanish paprika*
• granulated onion*
• sugar
• cayenne pepper
• parsley*
• marjoram*
• cilantro
• savory
• crushed chili peppers
• sun dried tomato*

*The most common have a star beside them.

**Don't let too much of any kind of salt overpower these wonderful flavors.

Photo of fennel seeds at top and sesame seeds below.

Photo of fennel seeds at top and sesame seeds below

Figured it out that a company in New York didn't make a true Tuscan spice by putting sesame seeds and oil in their Tuscan spice instead of fennel seeds. After reading several Tuscan spice recipes it is clear that a true Tuscan spice includes fennel. Listed sesame on label. See photo above of fennel seeds.  The taste of these two seeds are totally different. (See difference in costs below.)

Sesame seeds: (DEFINITION FROM GLOBAL SPICE UNIVERSITY) : sesame seed = benne seed = goma   Notes:   These nutritious seeds have a mild, nutty flavor.  They're commonly used in baked goods, Asian stir-fries, and Middle-Eastern candies.  European recipes for sesame seeds are usually referring to white sesame seeds, but Indian and Asian recipes sometimes intend for you to use the more pungent black sesame seeds. Substitutes:  pumpkin seeds.

Fennel seeds: (DEFINITION FROM GLOBAL SPICE UNIVERSITY): fennel seed = fennel = sweet cumin   Pronunciation:  FEN-uhl Notes:   This is similar to anise seed, but sweeter and milder.  It pairs well with fish, but Italians also like to add it to sauces, meat balls,  and sausages.   Both the seeds and the stalks from the plant are sometimes called fennel.  If a recipe calls for a large amount, it probably intends for you to use the stalks.   Substitutes:  anise seed OR cumin OR caraway seeds OR dill.  

BEWARE OF THE PRETTY CONTAINERS!!  I DON'T MIND THAT I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THAT IS MY JOB!!

      They also used lemon peel and I don't know what the natural flavorings are!!

See up and coming Part C - for recipes to make yourself. 

FENNEL SEEDS ON LINE

1 - 1 LB BAG $24.00

SESAME SEEDS ON LINE

1 - 1 LB BAG $16.00

SESAME SEEDS ARE 49% CHEAPER THAN FENNEL SEEDS SO THAT IS WHY THEY PROBABLY USED THEM! 

ADVICE:  DO YOUR RESEARCH ON LINE BEFORE SPENDING MONEY ON A SPICE OR HERB AND READ THE LABEL!!

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY TASTE DIFFERENT:

Fennel and caraway are relatives, but not the same plant. Fennel seeds have 

a flavor dominated by anise/licorice, where caraway is quite different, being 

dominated by other flavors. They also have subtle differences in appearance.

Cumin, anise, and dill are other look-alike seeds with very different flavors. 

Anise and fennel have very similar flavors, and can be substituted for each 

other.  Caraway and dill are likewise similar in flavor. Cumin has a flavor 

different from any of the above.