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Cranberries

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Photo Credit:Al-Hadeeqah HA They can be made into a relish, consumed as a refreshing beverage,  or even enjoyed raw.  The tart cranberry is one of the many products included in the autumn harvest.  On the East coast,  they are in season from September to December. Because it lacks sweetness, many people don't experience the health benefits of cranberries as they were once revered for. Cranberries are native to North America and were used by the Native Americans as food, medicine, and dye. The top three states that currently grow cranberries are New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. The cranberries grow in bogs on an evergreen vine that is neither a tree nor bush. These perennial plants take 16 months to grow. Water is essential for the success of the cranberries. The bogs are flooded twice a year; once in the winter to insulate the vines and protect them from the winter frost and a second time in the Autumn season (the following year)...
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Spice Spotlight! - Star Anise

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The "star" of the infamous five-spice, a mixture popular in Chinese cuisine; star anise is an aromatic dried fruit of an evergreen Magnolia tree. You can find it growing in warm subtropical climates of its native land of southern China and northeast Vietnam. Today, it is cultivated in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It is described as sweet and often equated to the taste of licorice. It is said to be slightly more bitter than this commonly-confused herb known as common anise (or anise seed). Both share a similar flavor profile due to an organic compound called anethole, which is responsible for the licorice-like taste. [ 1 ,2] Health Benefits Star anise has wonderful benefits surrounding immunity health and fighting off viral infections. It can also help prevent cellular damage in the body by providing it with antioxidants like vitamin C (which also assists with immunity). It can help prevent the flu, not only with the mentioned antioxidant qualities but ...
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Spice Spotlight: Black Pepper!

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                      Photo Credit: Bunchofgrapes This common household spice had an amazing journey through history. Native to southern India, Black pepper has made its way to many different tribes and countries by trade. It is actually dubbed "one the most traded spices in the world". This once highly prized spice had set explorers seeking its pungent flavor across the seas as it was an expensive item at the time. How expensive? Roughly 500 years ago, it was worth its own weight in gold and used as currency in some areas.  It was the symbol of fine cookery and whoever had an abundance of it in his possession was considered wealthy. [ 1 , 2 ] Cultivation Photo Credit: Devadaskrishnan Whole black peppercorns that we purchase at a grocery store are dried fruits of a flowering plant that can grow up to 33ft tall. They start off as green berries bunched much like grapes and are picked when they are jus...
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