Herb & Spice Companion

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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:232


Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:233

61264 - Herb and Spice Companion_146-256.indd 233 3/7/15 5:31 pm
(Text)

ExOTIC SPICES


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Container: At least 15 gallons for most evergreen trees; larger depending on tree size
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well drained; adaptable to various well-draining soils. Mix mulch or compost
into the soil for added nutrients and improved drainage.
Plant: Grafter trees
Water: Occasionally, once or twice per month; somewhat drought tolerant
Harvest: After 6 years or longer, harvest takes place from June through September:
The trunk is sliced shallowly, just through the bark, to release the slow-oozing sap.
Over the next 2 weeks, the sap continues to ooze out of the trunk and hardens into
tears, which are collected, cleaned, and sorted by size.
Care: Prune lightly to maintain shape.

Keep It Fresh
Store mastic in a cool spot for up to 3
years; heat will cause its flavor and color
to deteriorate. Fresh mastic should be an
almost transparent yellow gold.

In the Kitchen
Dishes: Baked sweets, liqueurs, cordials,
candies, puddings, preserves, syrups, ice
cream
Prep: Grind to a powder with a mortar
and pestle just before using. If it’s too
soft and sticky for grinding, chill in the
freezer so it hardens.
Serve: Mastic gives texture and subtle
fresh flavor to a variety of sweet dishes.
It pairs well with dried fruit, nuts, and
cheeses, making it a natural addition to
pastry fillings, preserves, and chewy can-
dies like Turkish delight. It’s also a com-
mon ingredient in spirits, like the classic
Greek ouzo, and an increasingly popular
spice for ice cream.

PAIRINGS
Fruits and Vegetables:
apples, apricots, dates, figs,
lemons, oranges, peaches, pears,
plums, raisins
Proteins: almonds, cheeses,
pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts
Seasonings: allspice, anise,
cardamom, cinnamon, cloves,
lemon juice and zest, mahlab,
nigella, poppy seeds, rose, sesame
seeds, vanilla

Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:232


Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:233

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