Dash of Spice and Life

Olive Oils are tricky. If you look at the labels, there is: extra-virgin, virgin and plain olive oil. So what is the difference? Well, extra virgin as you know is the higher quality oil. What does this mean? That it has a naturally low-level of free oleic acid. In olive oils, the lower the level, […]

I can assure you most of the bottles labeled as balsamic vinegar are not really balsamic vinegar. Once you try authentic balsamic vinegar, you can never go back. Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale is a vinegar with a rich, dark texture. Contrary to the acid flavors of cheap vinegar, balsamic vinegar is sweet and slightly acid. It […]

Achiote paste comes from the annatto fruit. The fruit is matured and then left to dry on the tree. Annato seeds are used as a coloring and food condiment. It is grown in Mexico mainly in Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán as well as in Oaxaca, Sinaloa and Morelos. There are several ways to make the paste. […]