17 Essential Spices for Cooking: Must-Haves in Your Kitchen

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned not only for its diversity and richness but also for its irresistible and unique flavors. The secret to creating these wonderful dishes lies in the delicate combination of spices. To help you curate a "treasure trove of spices" that will elevate the flavors of your family meals, Annam Gourmet presents a list of 17 essential and popular cooking spices that every Vietnamese kitchen should have.

1. What are Cooking Spices? 

Spices are not just simple seasoning ingredients; they are the "soul" that brings out the distinctive and rich flavors in each dish. Thanks to spices, Vietnamese cuisine has become diverse and deeply appealing. Spices not only enhance the appeal of food but also play an important role in food preservation and offer numerous health benefits. So, how can you create the perfect "treasure trove" of spices for your kitchen? Join Annam Gourmet as we explore the list of 17 essential and popular cooking spices below!

2. Essential Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen 

2.1 Basic Spices

• Salt: The most familiar spice that adds depth of flavor and awakens the taste buds. Sea salt, with its coarse gray grains, contains more valuable minerals than refined white table salt.
• Sugar: Not only does sugar add sweetness, but it also balances other flavors and adds a beautiful sheen to dishes. While refined white sugar is common, don't overlook brown sugar with its special malt aroma and subtle molasses sweetness.
• Garlic: Besides its strong, appetite-inducing aroma, garlic is also known for its health benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Onion: Whether fresh or dried, onions can enhance the flavor of any dish. Dried onions have a strong, distinctive aroma, suitable for stir-frying and frying, while fresh onions, with their mild spice, are often used in fresh dishes or as garnishes, adding a refreshing green color.
• Chili and Pepper: The powerful duo that awakens the palate with their fiery spiciness, making dishes more appealing. Chilies come in many varieties with varying degrees of heat to satisfy every taste. Pepper has a strong, robust aroma, while white pepper is milder, making it suitable for those who prefer less heat.
• Fish Sauce: The soul of Vietnamese cuisine, featured in most traditional dishes. Made from fresh sea fish fermented with salt, fish sauce is rich in protein and has a distinctive umami flavor that makes dishes more flavorful and well-rounded.
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce popular vegetarian condiment in Asian cuisine, made from fermented soybeans, it is rich in plant-based protein and adds umami to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
• Chili Sauce: A smooth, vibrant red sauce made from chilies, garlic, vinegar, and sugar, with varying levels of heat to please every spicy food lover.
• Lemongrass: With its fragrant stalks and distinctive tropical aroma, lemongrass is often used in Southeast Asian dishes to eliminate unpleasant odors and enhance flavor.

2.2 Specialized Spices

• Coriander Seeds: With their warm, distinctive aroma, coriander seeds are not only a flavor-enhancing spice but also a top choice for elevating the taste of salads, sauces, and a secret ingredient for creating unforgettable grilled meats.

• Herbs: Aromatic herbs are an essential part of traditional dishes like pho and bun bo, as well as modern Asian and European cuisine.

• Ginger Powder: With its warm, mildly spicy aroma, ginger powder is the perfect spice to add a cozy feeling to traditional sweet soups and cakes and a secret ingredient for creating unique, flavorful Asian and European dishes.

• Cumin Seeds: With their warm, mildly spicy flavor, cumin seeds are a versatile spice that adds depth to everything from grilled meats and fish to soft, moist cakes and bread.

• Vanilla Powder: Extracted from premium vanilla beans, Annam Gourmet vanilla powder is the key to creating delicious cakes, ice cream, and beverages with a natural and pure aroma.

• Cinnamon: A noble spice with a warm, mildly spicy aroma, cinnamon is the soul of many traditional dishes.

• White Pepper: With its elegant aroma and mild spiciness, white pepper not only enhances the flavor of dishes but also adds a refined and luxurious touch. Made from the freshest peppercorns, Annam Gourmet white pepper is the perfect choice for refreshing soups and flavorful grilled meats.

• Red Pepper: Red pepper, with its warm, strong aroma and bold spiciness, is an essential ingredient for aromatic stir-fries and rich stews.

• Bay Leaves: Known for their warm aroma, bay leaves are an indispensable "companion" for enhancing the flavor of stews and broths.

• Cloves: With their intense aroma, cloves are a "precious" spice that effectively eliminates odors in grilled and stewed dishes, adding a unique spicy and slightly bitter taste.

• Fennel Seeds: With its sweet aroma, fennel seeds is the "main spice" for stews and pho, creating the distinctive flavor of pho and Asian-style stews.

• Nutmeg: Originating from the Mediterranean, nutmeg adds a unique touch to meals with its warm, aromatic flavor, often used in sweet and baked dishes.

3. Tips for Balancing Spices When Cooking 

Cooking is not just about combining ingredients; it’s an art of blending spices to create delicious and appealing dishes. Mastering a few key tips will help you conquer the art of seasoning. 

3.1 Balancing Flavors 

Like a symphony, a delicious dish is a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors.

• Salty: The foundation of the dish, stimulating taste buds and enhancing flavors. Salt, fish sauce, and soy sauce are familiar "salty" elements in the kitchen.
• Sweet: Brings harmony and balance to the dish. Sugar, honey, and sweet fish sauce are commonly used "sweet" elements.
• Sour: Adds a refreshing highlight and stimulates the taste buds. Lemon juice, vinegar, tamarind, and tomatoes are common "sour" elements.
• Spicy: Adds warmth and stimulation to the dish. Chilies, pepper, and chili powder are popular "spicy" elements.
• Bitter: Adds depth and sophistication to the dish. Bitter herbs, pickled eggplant, and bitter melon are common "bitter" elements. Spices can be adjusted flexibly to suit your and your family’s preferences.

3.2 Seasoning at the Right Time 

Each spice has its optimal time to "reveal" its best flavor.

• Aromatic spices: Like ginger, garlic, and shallots should be sautéed first to release their aroma.
• Strong-flavored spices: Like chilies and peppers should be added later to avoid burning and losing their delicate flavors.
• Flavor-enhancing spices: Salt and fish sauce should be added at the end to ensure a balanced and well-seasoned dish.

3.3 Precise Measurement 

"Season to taste" is a golden rule, but to achieve this, you need to "listen" to the ingredients.

• Ingredients with strong natural flavors: Tomatoes, tamarind, and bamboo shoots require less seasoning.
• Ingredients with mild flavors: Broccoli and cauliflower need more seasoning to bring out their aroma. The key is to start with a small amount of spice and gradually season until you reach the desired flavor.

 

4. Storing Your "Treasure Trove" of Spices

Turn your kitchen into a world of rich spices to freely unleash your creativity.

• Basic Spices: Salt, sugar, fish sauce, seasoning powder, pepper, and chilies are the "foundation spices" that are indispensable.
• Herbal Spices: Various herbs, basil, perilla, rosemary, and basil add a unique aroma to dishes.
• Powdered Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, curry powder, and five-spice powder are "transformative powders" that create diverse flavors.
• Combined Spices: Soy sauce, sate, chili sauce, dark soy sauce, and ketchup are time-saving options for busy individuals. Expand your "treasure trove" of spices with herbs, cinnamon, star anise, etc., to ensure you have a well-stocked kitchen, making each meal special and enjoyable.

To help you elevate your home-cooked meals, Annam Gourmet proudly offers high-quality and carefully selected spices, guaranteed to awaken all your senses and turn your kitchen into a place where culinary passions soar.

Contact Information - Annam Gourmet:

• Website: https://shop.annam-gourmet.com/
• Hotline: 1900 6364 31
• Email: customerservice@annam-gourmet.com