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Herbal Flavoring Oils
Herbs have been in use for over 5000 years in most of the civilizations of the world; immensely popular for their curative, remedial, energizing and flavoring quality. Their therapeutic values have benefited the medical world while their flavoring qualities have enhanced the variety of dishes in all kitchens of the world in different ways.
Herbs are used to add fragrance and subtle flavoring to various food groups and when used in pure essential oils, they have health benefits as well as culinary ones. The cooking method applied affects the results obtained when using herbal flavoring oils in preparing food.
Tease the tongue, please the palate: some ways to use herbal flavoring oils
- Herbs can be used as a natural sweetener, especially if you add a drop or two of citrus, spice, or floral essential oil to a cup of honey, mix well and let stand. If you wish to use it in an oil base, you can put a few drops of essential oil on a piece of paper towel and place it above a jar containing sugar, its lid covered for a week for best results.
- This method will enable you to add the natural flavor of the top herbal notes of the herbs used in the essential oil of choice and extend it to your preparation using honey or sugar; it will lend a special fragrance and taste to your daily cuppa of tea, or even in baking and cooking.
- For Dry baking ingredients, you can make use of a drop of citrus herbal flavoring oil or allspice, dispensed onto a paper towel for giving cakes, cookies and breads that tantalizing aroma and tongue teasing quality. For best results, seal the paper towel in the jar in which you intend to store the baked goodies and let stand for 6-7 days.
- Herbal flavoring oils are extensively used by chefs in giving a signature taste to salad dressings, soups, stews and sauces. However, it is important to use these at the end of the cooking process so that the natural fragrance does not evaporate or lose its essential individuality.
Some essential herbal flavoring oils: a handy guide
Some of the integral herbal flavoring oils are Citrus, which gives off notes of Lemon and or/ Sweet Orange; Spice with the taste of Cinnamon and/or Clove; floral fragrances like Lavender and the ever popular pure herb-based ones containing one or more ingredients like Rosemary, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Thyme, Marjoram and Basil. If the herbal flavoring oils are properly administered, they are essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to improve health and wellness, providing a truly satiating experience for the culinary creativity that prompted their use. However, it is important to remember that dousing the food with extra drops of herbal flavoring oils must be avoided as this can take away from the very idea of subtleness of flavor. Pure organic herbal flavoring oils are best for cooking, so choose wisely and buy those that are pesticide free.