Baharat Spice

The Middle Eastern all-purpose blend: black pepper, cumin, coriander, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, paprika and nutmeg. Warm rather than hot, it smells like the sweet-savoury middle ground between a curry powder and a mulling spice.

Earthy cumin and coriander sit at the core, balanced by the sweetness of cloves and cardamom, with cinnamon and nutmeg adding a comforting warmth and a touch of paprika giving gentle smokiness and colour. The blend is drawn from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking.

How to use it

Use it as a rub for meats, or as a seasoning for stews, soups, rice and roasted vegetables. A teaspoon per portion is about right for a stew, a tablespoon per 500g for a rub. Technique tip: baharat contains both ground bark and ground seed, and the bark is slower to give up its flavour, so add it early to a slow-cooked dish and finish with a fresh pinch at the end to bring the cardamom and clove back forward.

Details

Also known as

Middle Eastern Spice Mix, Mediterranean Warmth Blend, Aromatic Spice Mélange, Exotic Spice Blend