10 Tips for Seasoning Your Food Perfectly

When it comes to seasoning your meals, using the right spices in the right way can make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, knowing how to handle your spices can elevate your cooking. Here are 10 essential tips to help you get the most out of your seasonings.

1. Store Spices Properly Dried spices should be kept in a dark, cool place, like a cupboard or drawer. Storing them in a bright and warm spot, such as above the stove, can cause them to lose both color and flavor. Though they’re often still usable, you might need to use more to get the same taste.
2. Use the Right Type of Salt Regular salt is better for cooking than flaky sea salt. It's more finely ground and concentrated, which means it’s easier to incorporate into food. Flaky salt is best used as a finishing touch on dishes like salads or roasted vegetables.
3. Grind Whole Peppercorns Freshly ground pepper has a far superior flavor to pre-ground pepper. It’s a good idea to buy whole peppercorns and invest in a quality pepper mill. Both black and white pepper benefit from being toasted, which brings us to the next tip.
4. Toast Spices in a Pan Many spices, such as pepper, cumin, and coriander seeds, are enhanced by being lightly toasted in a dry pan before use. Toast them until they release a fragrant aroma—be careful not to burn them! Then, grind or crush them to use in your dishes.
5. Fry Curry in Butter Curry powder, which contains a blend of spices like turmeric, is best when fried in butter before adding other ingredients. This helps release the full range of flavors and aromas, giving the dish a deeper richness.
6. Crush Dried Herbs To get the most out of dried herbs, crush them in your hands or with a mortar before adding them to your dishes. This helps release more flavor. Dried herbs are ideal for adding early in the cooking process, as they need time to release their flavors.
7. Add Fresh Herbs at the End Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme should be added towards the end of cooking or used as garnish when serving. If you add them too early, they can lose both their color and flavor.
8. Don’t Be Stingy with Spices Many home cooks don’t use enough spices. It's important to not only use a variety of spices but also to use them in sufficient quantities. In addition to salt and pepper, there are 10 other common spices that can enhance your dishes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different amounts!
9. Taste Your Food as You Cook Everyone has different taste preferences, so it’s important to taste your food while cooking and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Start with smaller amounts, taste, and then add more if necessary.
10. What to Do If Your Food Is Too Salty or Spicy If your dish turns out too salty, a couple of spoonfuls of lingonberry jam or a raw, peeled potato can help balance the flavors. For dishes that are too spicy, a little sugar or extra dairy products like cream or yogurt can tone down the heat. Also, keep in mind that serving the dish with rice, potatoes, or bread can help temper intense flavors, so don’t be afraid to push the limits when seasoning!