NEWSLETTER: Winter 2010

June 01, 2010 posted in Newsletters

Archived Newsletters & Facebook

Did you know all of our newsletters are archived on the website? In order to summarize the contents of each one, we’ve just been re-reading them, and re-living our history. We’ve relished the book awards, agonized over price rises and the highs and lows of the Aussie dollar, reviewed many Spice Discovery Tours and anticipated just as many, introduced new products, and sadly watched Coconut Extract and Argan Oil come and go.It’s certainly never dull in the spice business!

If you are seeking even more timely news on the spice business and you happen to be one of the millions of Australians on Facebook you may want to follow Herbie on his Facebook page.

100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences

On the subject of awards, the magazine Australian Traveller has published, in the April/May issue, its “100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences” chosen by a panel of expert and highly-respected judges. We are proud to say that Herbie’s Spices sits up there at number 28, amongst restaurants, providores, producers, cooking schools and other experiences Australia-wide. Grab a copy and check out what may be on your own doorstep.

Just Add Spice

By now almost everyone will have heard or read about the new book that Herbie wrote with Lyndey Milan. Priced at $49.95, Just Add Spice is full of fabulous, accessible recipes (100 of them!), spice and wine advice. Many people think that wines can’t be served with spiced foods, but in Just Add Spice, Lyndey shares her extensive wine knowledge to give guidance on suitable wines for each recipe. And we’ve prepared a big spice kit that includes Herbie’s 20 basics for making the blends in the book. In a stunning box of glossy gold and black, the Just Add Spice Kit is priced at $80.00. Pair it with the book for a special and visually pleasing gift.

What’s New at Herbie’s?

Spiced Salt

A delicious tasty Spiced Salt, to refill your grinder. In a 100 gram pack, it’s a combo of salt, coriander, peppercorns, chilli and wattleseed, absolutely great on everything from egg on toast to barbecued meats, salads and sandwiches, priced at $6.80. We also have the spiced salt available in re-fillable grinders, priced at $12.50.

Meals In Minutes Spice Kit

While we’ve been riding the Kit-Go-Round, we have introduced two new kits to the range. The Meals In Minutes Spice Kit is especially designed for working mums and dads, with great ways of feeding the family after a long day at work, with a minimum of fuss. We’ve put it in our lovely aqua box, and it’s priced at $30.00. The spices included are: Brazilian Spice Mix, Roast Vegetable Herb Mix, Crusting Mix, Family Friendly Stir-Fry, Garlic Steak Mix, Italian Herbs, and Mexican Spice Mix. We noticed Bob Carr on the ABC program Q&A, saying that we must stop people from “eating their way into hospitals.” We concur, and encourage home cooking with fresh seasonal produce … nicely spiced, of course.

Little Kids’ Spice Kit

And because we care very much about the importance of children eating well, learning to broaden the palate spectrum, and helping with home cooking, we’ve augmented our Baby Spice concept with the addition of a Little Kids’ Spice Kit for $30. Who could resist Crunchy Polenta Fish Fingers made with fresh fish, and simple meals-in-one-dish like Smokey Baked Beans and Mushroom Bolognese? Kids will love to assemble their own chicken kebabs, gently spiced with Ras el Hanout, and will have a great time helping to hand-roll the Eggplant and Mozzarella Balls, which all the family will love.

Price & Product Range Changes

We’re happy to bring you the news that the price of Kashmiri Saffron has dropped, so instead of paying $14.95 for half a gram, it will now cost you $11.50. It’s nice to see that market forces don’t always push in the upward direction! Our spice blends containing saffron have also seen the price benefit, though only in a small way, and you’ll find that of Ras el Hanout, Super Ras el Hanout, Paella and Orange Peel Pieces are cheaper.

In some small changes to our range, we have decided to discontinue the superfine mustard powder as the ground mustard seed works just as well and actually has a little more bite. As we run ever tighter on available space in our little shop, we have also deleted Stevia Leaf Powder, Sumac & Pepper, Urid Dhal and Angelica, which is no longer available.

Delicious Soups Ideas

Don’t you just love the way soup and winter go together like a hand in a glove? Soups are such a fantastic way to incorporate hearty and healthy grains and pulses, such as barley, quinoa, lentils and split peas, into our diets. And our Herbie’s Spices blends make everything so very tasty.

Try some of these combinations:

• Roast garlic and pumpkin soup with barley, with Chermoula (pic)
• Carrot and quinoa soup, with Tunisian Spice Mix
• Classic pea and ham soup, with Sweet Paprika plus a smaller amount of Smoked Paprika or Chipotle Chilli powder
• Chicken and assorted vegetable soup, with Berbere
• Broccoli, cauliflower and red lentil soup, with Balmain and Rozelle Spice Mix

Here’s a soup that’s really worth a try – it’s a little sample of what’s in our new Little Kids’ Spice Kit. (see above).

CURRIED CARROT AND CHICKPEA SOUP
Serves 6-8

  • 1 Kg carrots, peeled and cut into thick pieces
  • 1 litre water, or chicken/vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon Mild Curry Powder (use Medium Curry Powder for more mature palates)
  • 400 g tin chickpeas, drained
  • 4 tablespoons Greek yoghurt
  1. Cover carrots with water or stock and add curry powder.
  2. Bring to the boil then simmer until tender.
  3. Puree soup and return to pan.
  4. Season to taste, add chickpeas and simmer for a further ten minutes, stir in yoghurt then serve.

Suitable for freezing before yoghurt is added.

Slow Cooked Meals

Enjoy the winter with lots of slow-cooked meals – cook on the weekend, and re-heat for an easy mid-week meal. Ideal slow-cooking partners are Ras el Hanout, Baharat, Persian, Tagine, and of course, any of our fabulous curries. Try the Lamb Tangia recipe in Just Add Spice, perhaps, and the fabulous slow-cooked Baharat Beef with Olives?

Happy Spicing!

Herbie and Liz

Explore All
post

The Mystique of Baharat Spice Blend

Baharat, also known as Lebanese Seven Spice or Advieh, has become one of the many ‘go-to’ spice blends along with Ras el Hanout and Chermoula. Herbie, always up to date or ahead with spice trends, was asked to contribute this article to Australian Gourmet Traveller in 1999. Yes, 24 years ago! This is the article: Legendary spice merchant and blender, Ian (Herbie) Hemphill, has

post

Herbie’s Spices Newsletter Winter 2023

When we started our operations on the Central Coast of NSW, it was a sleepy area in many ways.  How things have changed in 20 years!  We are pleased to announce that we have joined the vibrant Central Coast Maker’s Trail. Whether you have a few hours or an entire weekend to explore the Central Coast, the Makers Trail is the perfect adventure. This
post

Herbie’s Spices Newsletter Summer 2022 – 2023

Isn’t it surprising how quickly the seasons revolve?  Our hearts go out to those who have suffered immensely from the floods and wild weather in so many states.  For those more fortunate, we continue to eat and enjoy each other’s company.  Whether we’re celebrating Christmas, or just being together with loved ones on any other day of summer, food is always an important part
post

Meal Ideas for Isolation

We thought that in these unprecedented times, it would be appropriate to share some handy meal ideas to ease the stress of isolation and potentially limited food sources. Having to self-isolate creates an opportunity to brush up your cooking skills and have some fun experimenting with some flavours you may not have tried before. Let’s face it, everyone can cook. Have you ever grilled
post

Spices and Spice Blends for Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking

In this short video, Ian "Herbie" Hemphill talks about how Herbie's Spices, herbs and spice blends are all suitable for vegetarian and vegan cooking. A great spice blend for vegan meals is Aloo Gobi Masala. All ingredients are listed on the labels, so you know exactly what you are getting. For a wealth of information on spices, herbs and making your own spice blends,
post

Herbie’s Newsletter Summer 2019 – 2020

We’re all in accord about single-use plastics. Having seen huge drifts of plastic in the pristine seas off the Indonesian islands, we know just how important it is to get rid of those shopping bags, plastic wraps and sandwich bags. When one gets emotional about bad plastics, it’s easy to begin to demonize all plastics, and perhaps it’s timely to repeat this message from our Newsletter of some years ago.

post

Spices & More in South India Jan-Feb 2020

We invite you to join us, Herbie and Liz, as we return to our beloved India to take you to some places where many tourists don’t go! And some amazing places that you just can’t miss. This is designed as a holiday, not an endurance test, and we have made the itinerary a little more leisurely than some earlier tours, so that you arrive home refreshed and well. Be a part of our small group and join the fun!

post

Herbie’s Newsletter Spring 2019

What kind of meal do you think of when you hear the word “curry”?  The origin of our English word is Kari, meaning a spiced sauce.  The English took the idea back home from the colonies, and the classic Madras curry – well-balanced and flavoursome - became a staple in the English household.  The French, meanwhile, had colonized the Pondicherry area on the south-eastern
post

Newsletter Winter 2019

What is Single Origin? We see it emblazoned on tea, coffee, spices and other foodstuffs.  It’s pretty simple really.  If all your potatoes have been grown in the Hunter Valley, they are single origin from that region – they don’t all have to come from the same farm. If, say, a coffee blender buys beans from Africa and South America, and mixes them all
post

Easter Spice Essentials

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to think about the spices you’ll need for your Easter recipes. For all those sweet recipes such as cakes, biscuits and hot cross buns, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and cardamom are traditional, along with Mixed Spice. For extra fragrance and flavour, try using our Fragrant Sweet Spice Blend as an aromatic substitute. Easter is a great time
post

What is Mastic?

Mastic is the name given to the resinous gum that exudes from the scored bark of the Gum Mastic Tree. There are many varieties of mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus) in the Mediterranean and Middle East, yet most of the world’s production of gum mastic comes from the “Protected Designation of Origin” trees (P. lentiscus var. Chia) that grow on the Greek island of Chios. The name
post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update March 2024

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE AT HERBIE'S KITCHEN   Welcome to the March recipe newsletter, with our favourite recipes for a spice-filled Easter.  For those off on a camping or self-catering adventure, check out our Happy Campers Spice Kit for some spicy shortcuts and holiday recipes and ideas.  You can see all the Easter category recipes HERE.     EASTER BREAKFAST PUDDING This take on
post

Herbie’s Spices Newsletter Autumn 2024

Isn’t it wonderful that our Australian eateries, even in country towns, offer a wide and diverse range of cuisines?  It’s taken for granted that we have a choice of Italian, Turkish, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Indian, and so many more, thanks to the migrants who have chosen to live here and share their fabulous food with us. Mexican is becoming popular, but seems to be
post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update February 2024

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE AT HERBIE'S KITCHEN   We've been inspired by the recent Lunar New Year to revisit our favourite Chinese-inspired dishes. Spices are an essential part of Chinese cuisine.. the unmistakeable aroma of Star Anise, or the numbing effect of Sichuan Pepper and the bite of hot dried Chilli. We have a variety of blends to make your favourite dishes with ease.  For younger
post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update January 2024

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE AT HERBIE'S KITCHEN   HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope everyone had a wonderful festive season and that you are enjoying the Australian summer.  This month we have some spicy salads for you - whether it's to pack and take to work, have as a side to a bbq, or to have as a simple dinner on a warm evening. Spices
post

Pepper and Salt

In India, Pepper is the King of Spices and Cardamom the Queen! Recipes say "Season to taste" and people ask "With what?" Answer: to season always means with salt. We were visited by a lovely customer, David. David wanted to know what are the best peppercorns, and all the food shops he visited told him that they had all kinds of salt, but "Yeah,
post

What’s so Special About Aleppo Pepper?

Besides being a popular spice for Yotam Otolenghi, Aleppo Pepper is becoming the go-to chilli for many cooks and food lovers. Why would a style of chilli be called a pepper? After all it is not a peppercorn! Let’s start with a bit of background. You may recall that Christopher Columbus was sailing west to get to the Indonesian spice islands, because he guessed

post

Herbie’s Spices Newsletter Summer 2023 – 2024

It’s about this time of year that we wonder where the year has gone.  It seems only last week that we packed away the Christmas decorations, and now – already!! – it’s time to be decking the halls, jingling the bells, and spicing all sorts of Christmas foods from pudding and cake to mulled wine and ham.  If you’ve not yet done your cake
post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update November 2023

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE AT HERBIE'S KITCHEN The countdown is on!  This month we're giving you some delicious recipes that you can make now to get ahead for entertaining or gifting. If you are starting to plan Christmas Day, our Christmas Feast Spice Kit has 8 packs of premium Herbie's Spices and 12 festive recipes.  From spiced cocktail biscuits, to ham, to mulled wine
post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update October 2003

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE AT HERBIE’S KITCHEN For people with intolerances or special diets, spices are an excellent way of adding flavour when avoiding a variety of other ingredients Our Recipe Page has a handy check box for vegetarian, vegan, nut free, dairy free, gluten free, keto, paleo, low-fodmap and healthy eating categories (please bear in mind we are not trained in nutrition, and

post

Herbie’s Kitchen Monthly Update September 2003

LATEST RECIPES FROM KATE HEMPHILL AT HERBIE’S KITCHEN Longer evenings are just beginning, and depending on where you are, perhaps you’re eating dinner outside already.  It’s also a time that we look to lighter fare (although to us curry is definitely a year-round meal); with crunchy salads, fresh seasonal veg, and grills on the menu. Check out our Al Fresco Dining Spice Kit, which

post

Herbie’s Spices Newsletter Spring 2023

Have you discovered our Black Garlic Powder?  In our house it adds a delicious umami to so many things … like sprinkled over buttered toast, topped with scrambled eggs.  If you already have this delicious product in your pantry, you will have noticed that it tends to go into a hard lump after a few months.  This is because it’s simply black garlic, ground,

Join the inner circle

Herbie’s Spices Inner Circle fills a need in the community of cooks and food lovers for early-access & upcoming events to all those hard-to-find herbs and spices.

Please enter valid email.
Subscribe