Ajwain is a seed or fruit from an annual plant related to fennel, caraway and dill. Its growth habit is similar to parsley and, like parsley, ajwain plants put out several flat flower heads that produce the fruit. It is believed to have originated in Egypt where it is still widely cultivated. Ajwain is also…
Raspberry leaf is, in fact, the leaf of the raspberry plant that grows the summertime fruit we all love. Raspberries are native to North America and Western Asia. Besides providing a healthy fruit in the summer, the leaf itself can be brewed into a rich and delicious caffeine-free tea. That tea may even have beneficial…
Since the days of the Aztecs, epazote has been used in bean cookery to enhance the flavors. Some Latino cooks consider it unthinkable to put out a bean dish cooked without epazote. Others find epazote repulsive. It is one of those herbs that you either cannot live without or one you run from. –>Best deal…
Hibiscus flower has long been popular in Mexico because of the tartly flavored, jewel toned tea that it makes (known as “jamaica” in Mexico). This is the same tea held to be the Pharaoh’s favorite in days gone by and is the traditional drink for toasting the bride and groom in some North African countries….
Cardamom pods have been valued as a spice, a flavoring agent for thousands of years. Cardamom originated in southern India where its popularity has spread pretty much world wide. Today it is grown in a number of locations in Southeast Asia. Most of what is consumed in the Western Hemisphere is grown in Guatemala. Cardamom…
Anise seed develops on the large flat flower heads of a plant belonging to the parsley family. This makes anise an annual in most areas. Anise comes from an annual flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, which is native to the Mediterranean area and to Southwestern Asia. It can grow as tall as 0.91 m…
Cinnamon powder is a seasoning rich and minerals and antioxidants that has versatile uses in cooking. Cinnamon is commonly used in baking breads and pastries such as these chocolate cupcakes but it can also be used in savory dishes such as this Moroccan-inspired beef dish to bring a new flavor to meats and sauces. Cinnamon…
Nettle leaf is an extremely nourishing food. Nettle leaf is the leaf of the stinging nettle plant, a native plant in many areas of the United States that grows in wet areas such as meadows and creek beds. It is used in teas and tinctures for its vitamin and mineral content as well as for…
The Traditional Foods site comes to you from the Sequoia National Forest in a house designed by Irving Gill. We are a mother-daughter team strong in both the science and the art of cooking. We chronicle our cooking here and our adventures in the forest at Gill on the Hill. Read more about our background and food philosophy.
