Topic: what brands

[chewytikka]

Supreme and Pran are good, if you can get them.

Natco do the best whole Coriander seeds I've come across and their whole Cumin is very good.

I agree with the best advice and to buy only small 100g packets in both ground and whole spices.
Once opened, Ground 3months, Whole 12months.

The ground Paprika seems to have no shelf life at all, so I would check that one now and again
as I had a jar which had a slight darker crust/layer forming after about six weeks and smelt a bit musky but no
actual Paprika aroma. If I had a Deli nearby I would buy any tinned Spanish product.
I don't care about the science behind this, but instinct told me to bin it.

As well as my usual BIR mix powder, I make a second mix powder of freshly ground Coriander/Cumin
which has a wonderful nutty aroma on the day, but doesn't keep well, i.e used a few days later and it
didn't have the same effect on the dish.

"Your chewing gum looses its flavour on the bed post overnight"

cheers Chewy

[diverdil]

thankyou for your points.i bought large bags of everything and put it into airtight plastic containers and put it all into an airtight plastic storage box. probably over a 100 quids worth so now i am worried it might be stale......

[Peripatetic Phil]

thankyou for your points.i bought large bags of everything and put it into airtight plastic containers and put it all into an airtight plastic storage box. probably over a 100 quids worth so now i am worried it might be stale......

Just cook lots and lots and lots of curries :  all spices used up, none go stale
** Phil.

[diverdil]

but phil i do cook curries every day

i'm up to day 9 now of eating curry. i just lost 3 and a half stone and sense it all comin back. please someone come up with a healthy low fat BIR......PLEASE

[uclown2002]

I agree with the best advice and to buy only small 100g packets in both ground and whole spices.
Once opened, Ground 3months, Whole 12months.


cheers Chewy

Thanks CT; looks like I need a clear-out!

[goncalo]

I remember reading that some people  (ifindforu, IIRC)  swore by the curry brand eastern star , which only sells in 10kg packs. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eastern-Star-Curry-Powder-SP02/dp/B0074FQ292

Any thoughts on this one?

[curryhell]

I remember reading that some people  (ifindforu, IIRC)  swore by the curry brand eastern star , which only sells in 10kg packs. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eastern-Star-Curry-Powder-SP02/dp/B0074FQ292

Any thoughts on this one?

Terry (IFFU) sent me some of the ES and i mixed it up as per his recipe.  It does make a good mix powder.  There are one or two that rate it very highly and use it all the time  Again down to personal preference and the taste each individual is looking for.  Any good quality premium mild curry powder plus fresh spices will do if mixed in the "correct" proportions.  Rajah Gold is another premium powder that was recommended and that only comes in 10kg drums as well.

[t-c]

I started out with Natco, and indeed one of the main Asian stores in Portsmouth mainly stock Natco and TRS and like the opening poster said storing the spices in air tight jars.

Since then, I've moved on to using  Rajah spices because Curry2Go made mention of them (I order the spices from Spices of India or The Asian Cook Shop) and have suck with using mainly Rajah spices.

[diverdil]

a good friend i discuss curry with has just found the GM from rajah so much better than the natco. i will look into this

[Graham1]

Hi Guys & Gals

A couple of things some obvious, some already stated above.

• Spices loose flavour over time, so where ever possible by whole spices and grind as needed
  Garam Masalas are different by family, so each family (company) that makes a Garam Masala will have its own blend.
  The price of some key ingredients in Garam Masala has gone up three fold in the last year, as a consequence many larger manufacturers may have reduced or removed the more expensive spices to keep the products profitable. Check the ingredient lists on the packs to see if they contain the ingredients you expect. 

If all fails make your own garam masala and find a blend that works for you.

Cheers

Graham
http://heeraspices.com