Traditional Spanish cooking includes spices that are grown in the country as well as those introduced to Spain hundreds of years ago by traders and conquerors. There are a few spices that any Spanish kitchen should not be without, especially for some of the traditional dishes. Spices in Spanish cooking complement the taste of the meat or vegetables, and are generally not overpowering.
Paprika
Paprika is made from ground capsicum pepper and is used often in Spanish cooking. The most famous Spanish dish that uses paprika is chorizo. Paprika comes in many varieties, from sweet to spicy hot. Its color also varies, from brown to bright bold red. The peppers that are turned into paprika have a high vitamin C and sugar content. Paprika's flavor comes out when it is heated, rather than just used as a garnish. This spice is also used for soups, casseroles and shellfish dishes in Spain.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is used in the home curing of chorizo in Spain. It is made from hot chili peppers and can be found crushed, ground and as a whole dried pepper. This amazing spice has been used to spice up meals for 7,000 years. It can be used in many ways including relishes, sausages, fish dishes and dressings.
Saffron
Saffron is made from the middle part, or stigma, of the saffron flower.
Saffron is the world's most expensive spice, and Spain is its biggest grower and exporter. However, recipes only call for a pinch of this spice because adding too much will result in a medicinal taste. This spice is essential in such Spanish dishes as paella (a rice seafood dish) or arroz con pollo (chicken with rice). It takes about 50,000--75,000 flowers to produce a pound of saffron spice. It is a dark orange color and made up of sliver-like threads which are actually the stigmas picked from the flowers.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks are dried pieces of bark from the cinnamon tree.
Cinnamon comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree, and is sold in sticks or ground. In Spain it is used in many dishes including churros, sausages and rice pudding. Cinnamon was originally introduced to Spain by the Moors, who ruled the country for over 500 years.
Tags: made from, Spanish cooking, cinnamon tree, introduced Spain, pepper used
