Field Guide to Herbs and Spices or Chicken Soup for the Tea Lovers Soul

Field Guide to Herbs and Spices: How to Identify, Select, and Use Virtually Every Seasoning at the Market

Author: Aliza Green

Herbs and spices make everything taste better but can you tell your thyme from your sage? Do you know the difference between dill and rosemary? Where can you find hyssop or rose geranium?

Field Guide to Herbs & Spices is here to help. With color photographs of more than 200 different international seasonings, you'll soon be flavoring your dishes like a pro. Award-winning chef Aliza Green shows the basic history of these spices (saffron used to be worth more than gold!), its season (if applicable), names in other languages, a recipe featuring the seasoning, and much more. This handy field guide will make all of your meals complete!

Publishers Weekly

This handy pocket-sized reference, a virtual dictionary of herbs and spices, is small enough to tote along to the farmer's market, grocery or specialty spice store, and might just contain everything you ever wanted to know about seasonings. Each alphabetically listed entry includes alternate names in different languages and cuisines; explanations of the herb or spice's history, origins, aroma, flavor, physical appearance or other facts; information on storage; and a valuable section on "Food Affinities," which will help cooks understand what flavors go well together (for instance, horseradish goes nicely with "apple, beet, corned beef, cream, cream cheese, ham, lemon, potato, pumpernickel bread, raw seafood, roast beef, salmon, sour cream [and] vinegar"). Each entry also contains serving suggestions or recipes; the cannabis listing, for example, explains that fresh green marijuana leaves may be dipped into melted butter, sprinkled with salt and eaten. Other unusual profiles include those of MSG, a flavor enhancer; pink pepper; and asafetida, a "strong-smelling, even stinking, dried brownish resin" that can be unpleasant to the uninitiated. Recipes are indexed separately, which means that this great tool also doubles as a cookbook. An extensive photo insert will help shoppers identify ingredients. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

	Introduction	vii
	Herbs	2
	Angelica	4
	Anise Hyssop and Hyssop	6
	Australian Native Herbs	9
	Basil	12
	Bay Leaf and California Bay Leaf	17
	Borage	20
	Calamint	22
	Cannabis	24
	Chervil	26
	Chives and Chinese Chives	28
	Cilantro, Culantro, and Vietnamese Coriander	31
	Curry Leaf	35
	Dill	37
	Epazote	40
	File	42
	Hibiscus Blossom	44
	Huacatay	46
	Indonesian Bay Leaf and Indian Bay Leaf	48
	Lavender	50
	Lemon Balm and Bergamot	53
	Lemon Verbena and Mexican Oregano	55
	Lemongrass	58
	Lovage	60
	Marjoram	62
	Mexican Native Herbs	65
	Mint	68
	Myrtle	72
	Nasturtium	74
	Oregano	77
	Pandanus	80
	Parsley	82
	Rose	85
	Rose Geranium	88
	Rosemary	90
	Rue	93
	Sage	95
	Savory	98
	Shiso	101
	Sorrel	104
	Tarragon	106
	Thyme	109
	Wild Lime Leaf	112
	Spices	115
	Ajwain	116
	Allspice	118
	Almond and Bitter Almond	121
	Amchur	123
	Anardana	125
	Anise	127
	Annatto	129
	Asafetida	132
	Australian Native Spices	134
	Barberry	138
	Capers	140
	Caraway	143
	Cardamom	146
	Celery Seed	150
	Chile Peppers	152
	Chinese Wolfberry	159
	Cinnamon and Cassia	161
	Citrus Seasonings	165
	Cloves	170
	Coriander Seed	172
	Cumin and Black Cumin	174
	Elderberry	176
	Fennel Seed	180
	Fenugreek	183
	Galangal	185
	Garlic	188
	Ginger	191
	Grains of Paradise	194
	Horseradish Root	196
	Juniper Berry	198
	Kokam	201
	Licorice	203
	Mahlab	206
	Mastic	209
	MSG	211
	Mustard Seed	212
	Nigella Seed	216
	Nutmeg and Mace	218
	Onions and Shallots	221
	Paprika	225
	Peppercorns	228
	Pink Pepper	232
	Poppy Seed	234
	Saffron	238
	Salt	241
	Sesame Seed	246
	Star Anise	249
	Sugar	252
	Sumac	256
	Szechuan Pepper	259
	Tamarind	261
	Truffles	264
	Turmeric	268
	Vanilla Bean	271
	Wasabi	274
	Spice Mixtures	277
	Table of Equivalencies	289
	Recipes Index	292
	Index	295
	Sources: Books	309
	Sources: Web Sites	311
	Acknowledgments	312

New interesting book: A Preface to Economic Democracy or Knock on Wood

Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul: Stories Steeped in Comfort

Author: Jack Canfield

Delights of tasty tea, tiny food, and thoughtful conversation

Is enjoying a cup of tea the favorite part of your day? Is the brewing of a 'cuppa' a ritual that centers and calms you? Do you have fond memories of hosting childhood tea parties for a captive audience of your favorite dolls? Then we have something special for you!

Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul is the perfect accompaniment to that English Breakfast, delightful Darjeeling , French Vanilla, spicy Chai, or comforting Chamomile. Nothing soothes the soul like a cup of tea and a good book, so curl up and wash away the tensions and troubles of the day.

Let Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul help you reconnect with yourself in the silent intimacy and introspection experienced while sipping tea. Learn about tea's ancient history and discover the many choices of tea available from the most exclusive to the tried-and-true favorites. We've included tips on buying, storing, and preparing tea, and even a few ideas on how to host a tea party. Explore the latest science supporting the time-honored healing properties of tea that have contributed to our health and well-being for centuries. We'll divulge all the secrets to:

• The best-tasting and most popular teas

• The proper way to steep tea

• The health benefits of tea

• The difference between black and green tea, and much more.

Tea can be complex with its variation in flavor, color, and taste, yet its simplicity is why it is shared throughout the world in a variety of cultures and customs. Some teas are perfect for starting theday, while others that stimulate and enhance interesting conversation. Still, there are others that are calming--just the right nightcap to end the day. So, put on your fuzzy slippers, steep your favorite tea in that treasured cup, and spend an afternoon or cozy evening with Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul .