Mediterranean Spices
Mediterranean cuisine is spicy yet simple. The spices used are common in the Mediterranean region, but they are made into bold dishes that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Mediterranean spices are the common herbs and spices used in the Mediterranean such as oregano, basil, fennel, bay leaf, cloves, cumin, mint, parsley, paprika, rosemary, sumac, thyme, and turmeric. All of these herbs and spices will suit everyone's taste.
Spices are basically what give Mediterranean dishes their unique and delicious taste. Spices such as oregano, mint, cumin, and basil can be made into a paste and spread on chicken or lamb before cooking to achieve that mouthwatering effect.
Some spices like coriander seeds and cloves can be used in desserts like the Turkish baklava. It is quite interesting that the same spices used in spicy dishes such as Moroccan lamb and mutton stew can also be used to make desserts such as Turkish apricot pudding. For the crazy spice lovers, they can add a little more or less of these spices until their palate pleases.
People from Mediterranean countries such as Greece buy their spices from many different areas. The Greek cuisine uses a lot of spice, especially the fresh oregano, basil, mint, and parsley that grows abundantly in this sunny country. To preserve their freshness for a longer period, they dry these herbs on the roofs of their houses or hang them under the sun until they dry up.
Some people grow their spices because of the intense pleasure that comes with gathering your ingredients for dishes. Coriander, fennel, and cumin are all grown in Sicily while thyme, savory, oregano, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, and other wild herbs grow in the wild on Sardinia. Italy is considered to be one of the world's largest producers and consumers of spices.
In Turkey, there are spice mixtures that are popular among Turks such as Baharat which is a mixture of black pepper, allspice or juniper berries, cinnamon bark, cloves, cumin seed, coriander seed, cardamom pods, nutmeg, and rosebuds.
The flavors of spices are bold and distinct. You can tell right away that the dish is from the Mediterranean region just by smelling it. If you want to experience a true taste of Mediterranean culture, then add some spices to your next dish.
Global mediterranean spices production
As of 2016, the top five countries producing Mediterranean spices were Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, and Syria. Combined, these countries produced over 1.5 million metric tons of spices annually.
Morocco is the largest producer of Mediterranean spices, accounting for nearly half of the region's total production. The country is known for its production of cumin, paprika, and chili peppers. Egypt is the second-largest producer of Mediterranean spices, with annual production totaling nearly 700,000 metric tons. The country is a major producer of basil, oregano, and garlic.
Italy is the third-largest producer of Mediterranean spices, with an annual production of over 500,000 metric tons. The country is a major producer of rosemary, sage, and thyme. Turkey is the fourth-largest producer of Mediterranean spices, with annual production totaling over 400,000 metric tons. The country is a major producer of mint, oregano, and thyme. Syria is the fifth-largest producer of Mediterranean spices, with an annual production of over 300,000 metric tons. The country is a major producer of cumin, coriander, and garlic.
The Mediterranean region is home to a wide variety of spices that are used in both cooking and medicine. These spices include basil, oregano, sage, thyme, mint, rosemary, cumin, coriander, chili peppers, and garlic. Mediterranean spices are used in a wide variety of cuisines, including Italian, Greek, Moroccan, Egyptian, Syrian, and Turkish. They are also used in many Middle Eastern and North African dishes.
The production of Mediterranean spices has been increasing in recent years due to the growing demand for these spices in both the culinary and medicinal industries. The majority of Mediterranean spice production takes place in Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, and Syria. These five countries account for over 80% of the region's total spice production.
The demand for Mediterranean spices is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing popularity of these spices in both the culinary and medicinal industries. The continued growth of the Mediterranean spice industry is expected to create new opportunities for farmers and producers in the region.