Sheikh Alattarin Sadaf (Egyptian Musk): The Sea-Shell Aromatic of the Arab Kitchen What is sadaf (Egyptian musk)? Sadaf, sold in Egypt as Egyptian musk or musk shell , known in classical Arabic texts as athfar al-tib (the nails of perfume) and in Western perfumery as onycha or ungui... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Asafoetida (Hing): Types, Quality and Uses in Cooking and Herbalism What is asafoetida? Asafoetida is the dried oleo-gum-resin tapped from the roots of several Ferula species, chiefly Ferula assa-foetida , giant perennials of the parsley family (Apiaceae) growing wild... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Sumac: Turkish and Lebanese Varieties, Quality and Uses What is sumac? Sumac is the dried fruit of the tanner's sumac shrub ( Rhus coriaria ), a member of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) alongside pistachio and mango. The shrub grows wild and cultivated ... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Star Anise: Grades, Quality Standards and Uses What is star anise? Star anise is the dried fruit of Illicium verum , an evergreen tree of the family Schisandraceae native to southern China and northern Vietnam. The fruit is a woody, reddish-brown ... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Juniper Berries: Origins, Quality Grades and Kitchen Uses What are juniper berries? Juniper berries are the fleshy, berry-like seed cones of the common juniper ( Juniperus communis ), an evergreen conifer of the cypress family (Cupressaceae) that grows acros... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Cubeb Pepper (Kababa): Origin, Quality and Uses in the Spice Trade What is cubeb pepper? Cubeb is the dried unripe fruit of Piper cubeba L.f., Piperaceae family, a cousin of black pepper. It looks like a wrinkled peppercorn but carries a short stalk attached to the b... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Allspice (Pimento): Jamaican Origin, Quality and Levantine Uses What is allspice? Allspice is the dried unripe berry of Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr., Myrtaceae family, the same family as cloves. The berries are picked green at the size of a large peppercorn and sun-d... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Nutmeg and Mace: Origins, Quality, Aflatoxin Limits and Safe Use What are nutmeg and mace? Nutmeg and mace are twins from a single fruit: the tree Myristica fragrans Houtt., Myristicaceae family. When the yellow fruit ripens it splits to reveal a brown oval seed, t... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Cloves: Grades, Origins, Eugenol Content and Culinary Uses What are cloves? Cloves are the dried unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry, Myrtaceae family, an evergreen tree that can live for more than a century. The buds are picke... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Vanilla: Madagascar and Tahitian Beans, Extracts, Powder and Quality What is vanilla? Vanilla is the cured fruit (pod or bean) of a climbing orchid, Orchidaceae family. The two commercial species are Vanilla planifolia (Bourbon or Madagascar vanilla) and Vanilla tahite... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Saffron: Origins, Grades, ISO 3632 and How to Spot Fakes What is saffron? Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., Iridaceae family. Each purple flower carries only three red stigmas, roughly 150,000 flowers are needed for one kilogram, and every s... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
Sheikh Alattarin Turmeric: Lakadong, Erode and Waigaon Varieties, Curcumin and Quality What is turmeric? Turmeric is the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae family. Both the mother rhizome (bulb) and the lateral rhizomes (fingers) are boiled, dried and polished before sale. It is... Single spices & herbs Spices Oct 18, 2026
