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Best European Spice Types
Pimentón de la Vera is the smoked paprika that has been produced exclusively in the La Vera valley, in the province of Cáceres since the 16th century. This vibrant red spice is made by grinding dried peppers into a fragrant, spicy, smoky powder.
It became popular in the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought the peppers back from Mexico as a gift for the king and queen of Spain. In autumn, after harvesting, the finest peppers are hanged on strings and are left to dry. They are then smoked using oak wood for two weeks, thus intensifying both their flavor and color.
THE BEST Pimentón de la Vera Paprikas
Azafrán de la Mancha is a saffron grown in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. It is a spice produced by drying the stigmas of the Crocus Sativus, L. plant. It has a floral and slightly bitter flavor and gives the dishes it is cooked in a bright gold yellow color.
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, with the price higher than that of gold, due to the laborious process of its harvesting. To preserve its subtle flavor, saffron grown in La Mancha is never sold powdered, but exclusively in the form of whole threads.
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.
Krokos kozanis is a spice taken from the bulb stigmas of the saffron plant, part of the Iridaceae family. It is produced within the various municipal areas of Kozani, in the region of West Macedonia in the northern part of Greece.
The exclusive rights for the collection, distribution and packing of Greek Saffron is held by the Cooperative de Safran. Annual production depends upon weather conditions and ranges from 6 to 12 tons of pure red saffron per year. It takes 150,000 flowers to produce 1 kilogram of dried crocus stigmas and about 50,000 stigmas to obtain 100 grams of red saffron which makes saffron the most expensive spice in the world.
THE BEST Krokos Kozanis Saffrons
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.
This saffron variety is grown exclusively on Azerbaijan's Absheron Peninsula for more than a thousand years. It is usually grown in small quantities on farm fields, and currently, 1 kg of Absheron saffron costs about $11,000. The expensive spice is typically used in saffron-rice plov, one of the national dishes of Azerbaijan, which is commonly served with a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables on the side.
English mustard is a traditional mustard variety originating from England. This type of mustard is characterized by its bright yellow color and thick texture. Although it’s often enjoyed as a condiment that’s used with cold or hot meat dishes, English mustard is most commonly used as a flavoring or cooking ingredient due to its strong flavor.
There are many bottled versions containing this mix of yellow and brown mustard seeds, but there’s also the powdered form which is mixed with cold water before use to unleash its full range of heat and flavors. For a milder flavor, mix it with milk instead of water.
Mahleb or mahlepi is a unique spice made from the seed kernels of the Prunus mahaleb (mahaleb cherry) tree, native to the Middle East and Southeastern Mediterranean.
The soft and chewy seed kernels are ground to a powder and used as a spice in various regional kinds of bread, cookies and cakes, meat stews, and pilafs. The taste can be described as sweet and slightly bitter, with a hint of almond and cherry. It is also believed that mahleb has medicinal properties, helping with digestive issues, respiratory problems, and inflammations.
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Best European Spice Producers
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Pepper Field Herbs and Spices
Rubin Paprika is a renowned producer of paprika-based seasonings based in Szeged, Hungary. Their product range includes high-quality offerings such as sweet and hot ground paprika, smoked paprika, paprika seed oil, chili flakes, and organic (BIO) paprika, available in both sweet and hot varieties.
Rubin Paprika is dedicated to preserving traditional production methods while adhering to modern quality and food safety standards. Their products are highly regarded both domestically and internationally, contributing to the global recognition of Hungarian culinary traditions.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023, 2021
BEST Rubin Paprika Herbs and Spices
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
BEST Hop & Roll Herbs and Spices
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Luxurients Herbs and Spices
Kadode Kampot Pepper UK specializes in producing high-quality Kampot pepper. The company sources its pepper from Kampot province in Cambodia, known for its ideal growing conditions for pepper plants. Kadode Kampot pepper is certified with Geographic Indication (GI) status, ensuring its origin and quality are officially recognized.
The company focuses on sustainable farming practices and fair trade, aiming to support local farmers and the community.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Kadode Kampot Pepper UK Herbs and Spices
Ausha is an England-based company that produces and distributes a range of organic and natural products, including Black Pepper. The company sources its Black Pepper directly from farmers and cooperatives to ensure ethical and sustainable practices.
Ausha emphasizes the purity and quality of their products. Their Black Pepper is often certified organic and free from additives and preservatives.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Ausha Herbs and Spices
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
BEST Food of Gods Herbs and Spices
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023
BEST Ujamaa Spice Herbs and Spices
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Best European Spices
Whole Young Green Kampot Peppercorns made by Kadode Kampot Pepper UK c/o TLP are a premium spice product known for their distinctive and aromatic flavor. These peppercorns are sourced from the Kampot region in Cambodia, which is renowned for producing some of the finest pepper in the world.
The green peppercorns are harvested while they are still young, which imparts a fresh and zesty taste profile. They can be used in a variety of culinary applications, including sauces, marinades, and gourmet dishes, adding a unique and complex flavor.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
Fermented Black Pepper made by Ausha is a distinctive spice that combines the pungency of black pepper with the depth of umami derived from a fermentation process. The fermentation enhances the pepper's flavors and introduces mellow, complex notes, making it a versatile ingredient for culinary use.
The process is thought to help retain more of the pepper's natural oils and beneficial compounds, potentially offering enhanced health benefits compared to regular black pepper.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
Fermented Fresh Red Kampot Peppercorns by Kadode Kampot Pepper UK c/o TLP are a gourmet spice product sourced from the Kampot region in Cambodia, known for its distinct geographic and climatic conditions that contribute to the unique flavor profile of the pepper.
These peppercorns undergo a fermentation process that enhances their complex flavors, providing a burst of umami, fruity, and spicy notes. The fermentation process also preserves the peppercorns, allowing them to maintain their fresh quality for longer periods.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021


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