Spices that won't burn your tongue

You may be shying away from stocking up your pantry with spices out of the fear that all spices burn. The truth is, there are a number of mild spices that you can actually enjoy. These spices can take your food to a higher level of flavour without leaving your tongue feeling like it’s on fire. Here's the list of these must-have spices.

Fennel Seeds

This is a lightly sweet gem that can even be chewed raw. It is used as a breath freshener in some regions and you can try it too. This liquorice-flavoured spice is perfect for meat dishes because gives them a sweet punch.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek leaves are sworn by aphrodisiacs that are used in a lot of curries. You will smell something close to Maple syrup as you stew your foods with this spice. Surprisingly, its taste is rather different, it is more like burnt sugar.

Cloves

Cloves are a warm spice with round, black coloured heads. They don’t add heat to food but promise a heavy aroma, hence why they are popularly used in baking and barbecue dishes.

Coriander seeds

A popular spice in Indian cuisine, coriander seeds add a lemony and earthy flavour to food. You can use them either crushed or whole. Lightly toasting them before adding them to your dishes will set the food onto another tempo.

Nutmeg

This spice is common in every baker's pantry and used in sweet dishes. You can even use it in porridge, which is an assurance that it can't burn your tongue. As a precaution, too much of it is dangerous to your bloodstream, so it needs to be consumed sparingly.

Oregano

Judging from the name, this spice sounds exotic and high profile. It actually is! It comes in the form of dried ground leaves and has a lemony flavour. This spice is the perfect pairing for meat dishes and marinating.

Mace

Have you tried homemade sausages? Well, maybe this spice can get you into trying them. Mace is from the same family as nutmeg. It is subtle and has a sweet aroma. The beautiful taste from this spice makes it a star in the savoury cooking world.

Saffron

If you like food that has a pop of colour, this is the spice for you. It is flowery, with a distinct floral aroma and taste. Be sure to use it sparingly so as to avoid overpowering a meal. 

Star anise

These are commonly used to add a sweet liquorice flavour to any dish. They can be cooked whole and they do not burn at all.

With the above examples, don't shy away from making delicious and gorgeous looking food with these spices. Your tongue is safe.

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