Christmas spices and seasonings bring a rich, spicy aroma and taste to festive dishes. During the holiday season, these ingredients are essential to getting your taste buds in the spirit of Christmas.
Cinnamon Sticks
In addition to being used in garlands and wreaths, cinnamon sticks can add a nutty sweet flavour to mulled cider, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, cakes and more. It originates from the fragrant bark of an evergreen tree native to tropical regions of Asia. Said to have a mysterious power, they have been used since ancient times by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.
Cranberry Sauce
The quintessential Christmas sauce, the tanginess of cranberries can be a sweet compliment to roast meats, vegetables and desserts. Add cinnamon and cardamom and make your dish even more festive.
Gravy
A generous helping of gravy is the cherry on top of any roast dinner. Pour it over your freshly steamed vegetables and Yorkshire puddings. You can also add fats like beef dripping, and spices like cloves to enhance the festive flavour. Strong savoury herbs like bay leaf, sage and thyme can also take your gravy to the next level.
Cardamom
Whether your dish is sweet or savoury, cardamom can bring a welcome kick with their fruity, piney taste. Bake them into your gingerbread cookies, and let the complex aroma fill the room.
Cloves
Boosting pungent winter foods, cloves are a staple in the Christmas pantry. They have a spicy fragrance and an intense sizzling flavour unleashed by the heat when cooking. Use it to spice up your mulled wine, or add it to your sauces and desserts.
Ginger
Gingerbread cookies aside, ginger is another festive flavour bomb you can use to elevate your Christmas meal. Somewhat peppery and sweet, its zingy aroma will tickle your nose, and freshen up your palate. Great for desserts with a pop.
Nutmeg
Another spice to add to your Christmas shopping list is nutmeg, a key ingredient in Eggnog and gingerbread. This flavourful holiday spice is Christmas in powdered form, and combines nicely with other spices like ginger, cinnamon and cardamom.
Allspice
Made from the dried fruit of the Pimenta Dioica plant native to Mexico, allspice is a complex spice that goes perfect with your quintessential Christmas spices. It also has the added bonus of reducing inflammation, treating nausea, and preventing infections.
Star Anise
Another Christmas flavour for the win is star anise, with its spicy sweet aroma and licorice-like taste. They also look beautiful, and therefore make a great garnish on your plate. Incorporate it into your Turkey gravy, or combine with honey and cinnamon to make a festive tea.
Peppermint
Famous for its contribution to the candy cane, peppermint is a refreshing and aromatic essential, with its robust, minty aroma. Your peppermint infused candies will be a hit among the kids, and you can also use it in mint sauce, festive mojitos and more.
Rosemary
Associated with Christmas since the Middle Ages, Rosemary is a classic culinary herb with a pine-like aroma. Enhancing the flavour of roast meats such as lamb and pork, rosemary will fill the room with its aromatic scent and instil you with the spirit of Christmas.
Thyme
Sweet and somewhat peppery, thyme is another versatile herb that will transform the flavour of your Christmas turkey. Also great for roast potatoes, marinades and bakes, this is a must-have in your holiday pantry.
Sage
A staple herb in British and Italian cuisine, sage is sweet and fairly bitter and is also used to stuff turkey at Christmas. You’ll have heard of Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, and remember them for their piney fragrance.
Oregano
Also used to stuff turkey at Christmas is oregano, known for its bitter zest and spicy profile. A great addition to roast potatoes, tomatoes, chicken, fish, vegetables and vinaigrettes.
Vanilla
Known for its intoxicating smell, vanilla’s taste and smell will have you feeling warm and cosy just in time for Christmas. Popular with desserts, they can add a delightful sweetness to your holiday treats.
Orange Peel
Commonly called for in holiday recipes, orange peels feature in many festive cookies, cakes and icings, and have an important place on the Christmas table for their zesty zing.