Best Spices to Give a Teacher
Lynley Jones
Somehow, my children - who begin the year knowing nothing about the volumes of pyramids or the sonnets of Shakespeare - can now school me about prisms and iambic pentameter. Pretty miraculous.
In a year when teachers have had to stretch all the way across cyberspace to reach our children, they deserve our appreciation now more than ever, for one of the most important jobs around.
So here’s to the teachers. If you (like me) would like to thank them, I’ve got some ideas:
Here are my top 5 spice recommendations for Teacher Gifts this year:
#1: Hibiscus Flowers
Flowers for teacher! These inexpensive dried blossoms are a great choice. Make a tea, make dessert or make an interesting, tart sauce for something savory.
Common in Latin American, Caribbean and Middle Eastern and Persian cuisines. Steep with spices for tea or use to make a dessert sauce. Steep with savory ingredients to make a sauce for chicken, lamb or shrimp.
1/2 cup-sized jar.
#2: Mulling Spices
For the teacher with taste. Our classic mulling spices can be steeped with apple cider or wine, or combined with tea leaves for a spiced cup of tea. Recipe tag tied to every jar, with instructions for use.
A traditional combination of mulling spices for hot spiced cider or warm mulled wine. Cassia cinnamon sticks, green cardamom, allspice berries, whole cloves and anise for a classic warm drink. Locally made by us in small batches.
#3: Sumac & Sage Seasoning Blend
A ready-to-go seasoning blend for a hard-working teacher. Ready to sprinkle on everything from meat to veggies to fish. It’s a unique combination of organic ground sage and sumac (an ancient spice that’s been getting a lot of press lately!), along with freshly ground black peppercorns and Kosher salt.
Our original savory seasoning, created by our founder Lynley. You can use this super-versatile blend on chicken, meat, veggies, pasta, potatoes and more! Herbal and citrusy, it combines the depth of sage with the bright acidity of sumac. Use it in place of salt and pepper, or alongside other seasonings to taste. Made with organic and fair-trade ingredients. Locally made by us in small batches.
1/2 cup -sized jar.
#4: Aleppo Pepper
For the teacher who spices up the classroom. Originally from Aleppo, Syria, this mildly spicy chile brings boatloads of flavor. Sprinkle it over pasta, avocado toast, or just about anything.
Originally from Aleppo, Syria, this pepper is now being grown in neighboring Turkey. Mildly spicy, it’s like a cross between ancho chile and red bell peppers. Addictively good on veggies of all kinds, as well as grilled meats, fish and more.
1/2 cup-sized jar.
#5: Ground Turmeric
For the nurturing teacher with style. Turmeric has been prized for millennia for its healing properties, and is super-trendy right now. Toss it with veggies, add it to a saute or blend it into smoothies.
We are super proud to offer you this single-origin, heirloom-variety turmeric, farmed without pesticides and harvested and freshly milled each year! This pragati turmeric is an intensely flavorful and aromatic heirloom variety, grown on a 3rd generation family farm in India. 1/2 cup-sized jar.
Get all the recipes for Cooking with Adventure Kitchen Spices.
You can shop our collection of spices online or visit us in person in Montclair, NJ! You’ll find us at the Montclair Farmers Market every Saturday from June-September, and at our pop-up spice shop at 467 Bloomfield Ave. downtown.
Hope to see you soon!