The Spice Shop

Balm of Gilead, 50g The “balm of Gilead” (Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 8:22), used medicinally in antiquity, was the mastic obtained from Pistachia lentiscus; it now commonly refers to buds of a species of North American poplar (Populus) used to make cough syrups. Unit price: £3.99 (approx. €4.47)

Borage, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Chamomile Flowers, 50g Unit price: £2.45 (approx. €2.74)

Cola Nuts, 50g Unit price: £2.25 (approx. €2.52)

Golden Seal Powder, 10g Unit price: £3.99 (approx. €4.47)

Henna Egyptian Red, 100g Unit price: £2.25 (approx. €2.52)

Hibiscus Flowers, whole, 100g Unit price: £5.95 (approx. €6.66)

Hyssop, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Kelp, 100g Mix 1/2 tspn into a glass of warm water and drink it on a daily basis. Unit price: £3.95 (approx. €4.42)

Lemon Balm, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Lemon Verbena, 50g Unit price: £3.75 (approx. €4.20)

Mate Tea, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Myrrh Gum, 50g Unit price: £3.99 (approx. €4.47)

Neem leaves, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Orris Root powder, 50g The root of the Iris Florentina is used as a fixative for pomanders, pot pourries and generally for its violet-scented perfume. Unit price: £2.99 (approx. €3.35)

Patchouli Leaves, 50g These leaves smell like patchouli and are great to leave around in wardrobes or as a room freshner. Unit price: £3.99 (approx. €4.47)

Pennyroyal, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Peppermint organic, 50g Unit price: £2.45 (approx. €2.74)

Raspberry Leaves, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Red Sage, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Rooibosh Tea, 50g Unit price: £1.95 (approx. €2.18)

Sandalwood Chips Red, 50g Decorative, and great smell Unit price: £3.95 (approx. €4.42)

Senna Pods, 35g Unit price: £1.85 (approx. €2.07)

St. Johns Wort, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Valerian Root, 50g Unit price: £2.99 (approx. €3.35)

Wormwood, cut, 50g Unit price: £2.95 (approx. €3.30)

Mexican Quesadilla seasoning

Season your meat or re-fried beans with this spice mix. Pile on to tortilla breads, add grated cheese, top with a second bread and fry in oil. Delicious!!

Aniseeds, green

Try making shortbread flavoured with aniseed: Mix 4 oz butter + 2 oz sugar. Add 6 oz plain flour and 2 tsp aniseeds. Roll the dough out to 1/2" thickness and stamp out biscuits. Chill for 20 mins then bake at 190°/gas 5 for 15-20 mins. Cool on the tray.

Byriani Curry Blend

Mix diced beef with spices and natural yogurt and leave to marinade for at least three hours, or better, overnight, in a pot. Cook basmati rice until half-done. Cover the marinated meat with rice; poke few holes through the rice to the bottom of the pot, and pour some oil into them. Cover the pot and cook for half an hour, or until meat is done, then leave on low heat for another 15 minutes. Recipe by Mr. K.

Green Peppercorns

For a steak sauce: after frying your steak, add a good lump of butter to the pan. When melted, add a couple of teaspoons of green peppercorns and a chopped clove of garlic. Fry gently, then add 1 tbsp of good brandy, 2 tsp wholegrain mustard and 100 ml single cream. Let the sauce bubble up, then pour it over the steak.