Best Central European Herb/Spice Types
This unique paprika product is made under strict quality measures by grinding the dried pods of deep, silky red pepper plants of different varieties. The peppers must be ground uniformly and the aroma is spicy and pleasant, comparable to that of roasted seeds.
It has a sweet, fruity taste, and the higher the capsaicin content in the peppers, the hotter the final product will be. The ground paprika is then packed and sold, and used mainly as a spice in a variety of dishes including stews, on eggs, fish, pasta, potatoes, and in marinades for roasted meat.
The powdered Szegedi paprika spice is made by grinding the pods of the pepper plants. Its colour is a vivid, fiery red and its aroma is strong and spicy, similar to those of baked vegetables. Once tasted, the flavour is sweet, mellow and spicy but pleasant and not too hot, due to the fact that the capsaicin amount is not above 100mg/kg.
In some hotter varieties of Szegedi paprika, the capsaicin amount is higher, so the paprika is also a lot hotter in taste. It is so popular in Hungary that it even has its own museum, and is typically used as a seasoning in hearty stews, goulash or sprinkled on meat.
Český modrý mák is a variety of Papaver Somniferum, or blue poppy, grown in the Czech Republic (one of the world’s largest producers of poppy seeds). Due to its strong, complex, floral flavor, dark blue mák has always had a very important role in Czech national cuisine. Český modrý mák makes a delicious filling for pancakes, cakes, yeast-dough pastries called kolače and strudels - it is even sprinkled over noodles, potato dumplings (both plain and fruit-filled), or combined with blueberries and spread over a shortbread crust, as in a delicious Czech pastry known as borůvkový kolač.
Paprika Žitava, also known as Žitavská paprika, is the first product from the Slovak Republic to acquire the prestigious PDO (Protected designation of origin) quality mark. It takes its name from the Žitava River valley where these peppers were first grown, but since then, it has spread across the Danubian lowlands.
The product is a sweet paprika powder made by grinding the dried peppers that are harvested when ripe. It has an intense, orange to red color, due to the oil that gets released from the seeds in the final stage of the grinding process. Its flavor is delicately sweet and intensely deep, reminiscent of sweet peppers, with no bitterness at all.
Also known as Flemish bayleaf, Vlaamse laurier is a type of tree that has been cultivated in Flanders since the 16th century and is as such recognized and protected. It is a decorative bay tree that has been trimmed down to a perfect shape. It must be at least five years old and grown in a pot.
The trees are remarkably uniform in size and shape, which is a result of more than 400 years of cultivation during which the best mother plants were used to further perfect the next batch. In addition to being genetically outstanding, each tree is perfectly pruned to achieve symmetry and a variety of shapes such as a pyramid, sphere or pillar.
Munder safran is a variety of saffron produced in the area around Mund, a small village in the Swiss canton of Valais. This precious, deep red spice is derived from the powdered, dried stigmas of the flower known as Crocus sativus L.
Each flower has three stigmas, and the harvest is done exclusively by hand, at latest three days after blossoming. To obtain one gram of the dried spice, almost 180 flowers are needed. Munder safran is widely used in cooking, to add both color and flavor – some of the local delicacies include saffron bread, saffron rice, and even saffron flavored ice-cream.
Südburgenländische kräuter or South Burgenland herbs refers to a variety of herbs and flowers that grow throughout southern Burgenland in eastern Austria. Thanks to its mild, warm, and dry climate and the quality of the soil, the territory of this region provides the ideal conditions for the growth of a vast selection of spice herbs, tea herbs, and flowers used for culinary purposes.
Once collected, the herbs and flowers are dried before they are used for making a wide range of spices, herbal blends, teas, herbal salts, syrups, and other products.
The whole process is manual and chemical-free, and it is carried out with the utmost care.
Local women involved in the herb-growing business took advantage of nature’s gift and founded the Bauerngarten - Südburgenländische Kräuter cooperative back in 1999.
Best Central European Herbs and Spices
Fresh Green Kampot Pepper with a hint of Fleur de Sel by .pepper..field is a gourmet culinary product that blends the vibrant, aromatic quality of fresh green Kampot pepper with the subtle, complex flavor of Fleur de Sel, a premium hand-harvested sea salt.
This combination highlights the distinct, zesty spice of the pepper while enhancing its natural flavors with a delicate burst of minerality from the salt. The product is celebrated for its exceptional quality, thanks to the traditional farming methods and meticulous hand-picking of the peppercorns in Kampot, Cambodia, a region renowned for its superior pepper.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Rubin Paprika Hungarian Hand-Selected Sweet Szegedi Paprika is a premium spice product crafted by Best of Hungary Ltd. This paprika is renowned for its rich, sweet flavor and distinctive deep red color. It is made using carefully hand-selected peppers from the Szeged region, which is famous for its high-quality paprika production.
The peppers are traditionally sun-dried and ground to produce a fine, vibrant powder that enhances a variety of culinary dishes with its unique taste and aroma.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Rubin Paprika Hungarian Hot Szegedi Paprika is produced by Best of Hungary Ltd. This premium Hungarian paprika is sourced from the Szeged region, which is renowned for its rich, fertile soil and perfect climate conditions that contribute to the paprika's distinctive flavor and color.
This product is known for its vibrant red hue and a spicy kick that enhances a wide range of dishes. Traditionally, it is used in classic Hungarian recipes such as goulash, paprikash, and various stews. Rubin Paprika is made from carefully selected, dried, and ground peppers, ensuring high quality and consistency in every batch.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
Freeze-dried Fermented Kampot Pepper Flakes made by .pepper..field are a specialty spice product that involves the unique combination of freeze-drying and fermentation processes to enhance the flavor profile of Kampot pepper. These pepper flakes retain the distinct, rich, and complex taste of Kampot pepper due to the freeze-drying process, which preserves the essential oils and aromatic compounds.
The fermentation adds an extra layer of depth, introducing subtle umami notes that make these pepper flakes an exceptional choice for gourmet cooking and seasoning.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Rubin Paprika Hot Smoked Hungarian Paprika Powder is produced by Best of Hungary Ltd., a company known for offering high-quality Hungarian food products. This specific paprika powder is made from premium Hungarian peppers that are carefully smoked over oak wood to impart a rich, smoky flavor with a hot, piquant kick.
The vibrant red powder not only enhances the taste of various dishes but also adds an appealing color. This paprika is a staple in Hungarian cuisine and works well in stews, marinades, and as a garnish for a variety of dishes.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Black Kampot Pepper produced by .pepper..field is sourced from the Kampot region in Cambodia, known for its distinctive terroir that enhances the spice's flavor profile. This pepper is praised for its complex aroma, featuring earthy, floral, and slightly fruity notes.
The peppercorns are hand-picked and sun-dried, ensuring the highest quality. Certified as a geographical indication (GI) product, Black Kampot Pepper meets stringent cultivation and processing standards, making it highly sought after by chefs and food enthusiasts around the world.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
The Black Kampot Pepper - microlot from small farmers made by .pepper..field is a premium spice product renowned for its exceptional flavor and quality. Sourced from Kampot, Cambodia, this pepper is cultivated by small-scale farmers dedicated to traditional and sustainable farming practices.
The microlot designation indicates that the pepper comes from a specific and limited harvest, ensuring a unique and superior taste profile. This pepper is often celebrated for its fruity, floral, and slightly spicy notes, making it a favorite among culinary enthusiasts and gourmet chefs.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
White Kampot Pepper by .pepper..field is a premium variety of pepper known for its unique flavor profile and high quality. It originates from the Kampot region in Cambodia, which is renowned for its ideal growing conditions for pepper, including rich soil and a favorable climate.
This white pepper undergoes a special process where the outer black layer is removed, resulting in a milder, yet intricate flavor with hints of fresh grass and citrus. The meticulous cultivation and processing methods contribute to its reputation as one of the finest peppers available globally.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
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