Everything you Need to Grow Your Own Herbs
Both nutmeg and mace are from the myristica genus of tree. Nutmeg is the seed found within the fruit of the tree and mace is the dried seed covering (aril) that is lace like in appearance. Both share a flavor and aroma of delicate warmth and sweetness, with mace having a much more pungent taste.
Allspice is a dried berry that hasn’t quite matured. Mixed spice is a collection of dried spices such as cinnamon, coriander and caraway seeds, ginger root, nutmeg and cloves. Allspice is more of a savory ingredient, whereas mixed spice goes into your Winter cake mixes.
When looking at turmeric vs cumin it can be easy to fall into the trap of just swapping one for the other. This can lead to missing out on the essential health benefits as well as colors and tastes of each of these wonderful spices.
Allspice and cloves do have a lot in common with regard to flavor and how they are used. Both share an intense, pungent aroma and taste with allspice including tones of nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Cloves tend more towards a sweetness that is absent in allspice.
By categorizing the flavor profiles of herbs and spices it is easier to understand how they may match one another, or more importantly how they may compete and overpower other flavors. You do not want to waste delicate flavors of saffron by pairing with fresh ginger, for example.
Cumin requires a longer growing season than many herbs and spices, so a poly tunnel or greenhouse are perfect solutions. In the UK we have a very real fear of frost as Cumin is heat sensitive. An annual from the parsley family, best sown directly to avoid disturbing the roots when transplanted.