Which spices are best fried in oil, which are best toasted and which are best cooked in water? [closed]

I've been learning a bit about spices and experimenting a little with dry toasting and frying spices rather than just adding them all to the water component. I keep reading that some spices go best in the water component, like saffron and nutmeg, but I can't really find anything with much more detail than that. Does a list exist of how the flavour profile of each of the common spices will be changed at the end of a dish when cooked in each manner?

Thank you :)

spices

Best Answer

Generally? whole woody pieces such as star anise and cloves fry nicely. tiny dry leaves like oregano and marjoram with less success.

If a brief rub in the fingers disintegrates and releases a lot of aroma, water is best bet. Rule of Thumb

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Which spices should be toasted?

Most seeds, barks, roots and other hard or solid spices can be toasted. Some examples are cumin, coriander, fennel, black peppercorns and cloves. For these, toasting in a pan as described above is the easiest method. These spices can be toasted alone or in combination.

Should you toast spices in oil?

If you're going to add the spices whole and dry to something water soluble, like a soup, dip, or a simmering sauce, toast them without oil. Add them to the pan once it's hot, and turn the heat down. Keep the spices moving periodically so they don't burn or overcook on one side.

Which spices should be fried?

Made with a larger quantity of oil, bhunooing is a slow process in which the oil is first heated until smoking, then the heat is lowered and whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, anise, and dried bay leaves are fried gently, allowing them to gradually change color.

Does toasting spices make a difference?

To extract natural flavors and enhance the effect on your dish, heat up spices before cooking. While spices are naturally aromatic, "it's heat that really wakes up those aromatic oils," chef Floyd Cardoz, formerly of North End Grill in NYC, explains.

Best Oils For Deep Frying At Home - These Oils Can Take The Heat

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