Restaurant spices offer a simple and effective way to infuse an array of flavors into various dishes, from elevating humble ingredients to transforming signature restaurant business menu items.
Key Takeaway: However, navigating the vast world of wholesale spices can be overwhelming for restaurant and food service businesses—defining what constitutes a spice could spark endless debate. Do salt, sugar, or vanilla fall under the spice category? What about wholesale microgreens and microgreens seeds?
Deciding which organic herbs and spices to purchase, in what quantities, and from which wholesale spice suppliers can be a challenging task. Fortunately, building a versatile spice wholesale inventory for your restaurant or food service business doesn't require an extensive array of spices to begin with.
In this article, we will look at some of the best restaurant spice supply to add to your spices inventory. With these wholesale restaurant supplies, you can gradually expand your spice repertoire based on your menu offerings and customer preferences.
Top 10 Restaurant Spices
Spices are great for enhancing the flavor profiles of your culinary creations and setting your business apart from competitors. Let’s look at the top ten wholesale restaurant spices to add to your inventory.
- Black Pepper
Black pepper is native to India, and has been in use for thousands of years as both spice and medicine. The distinct and potent taste of this ingredient contributes complexity to a variety of culinary preparations, and it exhibits compatibility with a range of other seasonings, including garlic, oregano, and paprika. Black pepper is a source of antioxidants and possesses anti-inflammatory characteristics.
It also aids the absorption of nutrients from other foods, thereby conferring advantages for general well-being. Additionally, the active compound piperine found in black pepper may aid in digestion and offer pain-relieving effects.
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- Cumin
Cumin’s warm, earthy flavor enhances the taste of meats, vegetables, and legumes. The spice is a commonly used ingredient in the restaurant industries to produce real and palatable cuisine that caters to a diverse array of taste preferences.
This remarkable spice is recognized for its gastrointestinal and anti-inflammatory attributes, in addition to serving as a valuable iron reservoir. Taking cumin has been earmarked to potentially alleviate symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, enhance lipid profile, and facilitate weight control.
- Paprika
Paprika is the right call if you intend to add color, mild, sweet and smoky taste to your variety of dishes. You can use Paprika to enhance the presentation and taste of dishes, creating memorable culinary experiences for guests.
It is high in carotenoids and, beta-carotene, resultantly, it aids better vision side-by-side reducing the risk of getting exposed to chronic diseases. Some studies suggest that the capsaicin in paprika may help boost metabolism and support weight management efforts.
- Turmeric
With turmeric's distinctive hue and taste, you can create visually appealing and flavorful dishes that delight guests. Turmeric is an essential ingredient of curry powders and is employed to impart hue and natural tastes to comestibles such as rice, stews, and soups.
The presence of Curcumin in turmeric confers its rare potency of antioxidation and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Turmeric is widely recognized as a superfood owing to its manifold health benefits, and is therefore deemed a valuable inclusion in the spice repertoire of any restaurant.
- Cinnamon
If you sell baked goods online or own a bakery business, then this spice is a must have. Usually, cinnamon is used in baked confectionaries, desserts, and beverages. It is also used mainly as a spice in the Middle Eastern and Indian savory dishes.
Customers love cinnamon for the warmth and distinctive aroma it adds to various recipes, creating memorable fine dining experiences. Cinnamon is high in antioxidizing qualities, which help protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals gotten from food contamination.
- Garlic Powder
Garlic is a versatile seasoning used in a wide range of dishes in your restaurant, including seafood pairings, vegetables, and sauces. It imparts a robust garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic, making it a practical choice for busy commercial kitchens.
The consumption of garlic spice has been attributed to enhancing cardiovascular well-being, improving immune system functionality, and a potential decrease in the likelihood of developing specific types of malignancies. Allicin, an active compound in garlic looks to reduce the activities of bacteria, fungi and viruses in the body thereby ensuring a general healthiness and wellness.
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- Oregano
If your menu offers seasonal dishes like pizza, pasta sauces, and grilled meats, then oregano is one ingredient you should have. Oregano is a culinary herb that imparts a unique fragrance and enhances the flavor profile of numerous dishes, resulting in gratifying and noteworthy culinary experiences.
It is abundant in antioxidants that aid in shielding the body from oxidative stress and promoting general well-being of the body system. Oregano helps to boost the immune system by reducing inflammations, bacterial, and fungal activities in the body system.
- Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes are gotten from crushing dried red chili peppers. Red chilis are native to Central and South American people.
Chilli peppers are used to add a spicy kick and depth of flavor to dishes, appealing to customers who enjoy bold tastes. Red pepper flakes contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for their spiciness.
Capsaicin, a pungent compound, exhibits significant health benefits.
- Coriander
You can use coriander seeds as spice, and the leaves as herbs. Coriander seeds can serve as a spice, while the leaves can function as herbs.
The seeds possess a warm and citrusy taste profile and are commonly utilized in diverse traditional culinary such as Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines.
Coriander is a significant herb owing to its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Coriander's antimicrobial properties can aid in the prevention of foodborne illnesses, rendering it a valuable inclusion in the spice gallery of any restaurant.
- Ginger
Ginger is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated in both sweet and savory culinary preparations, spanning across diverse cultural cuisines such as Asian, Indian, and Caribbean. The inclusion of ginger in culinary preparations enhances the overall gastronomic encounter by achieving a delicate equilibrium between its unique taste and the seamless combination of ingredients in cookery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Spices
Restaurant spices play a crucial role in enhancing the flavors of dishes and creating a unique culinary experience. Let's answer some frequently asked questions about restaurant spices:
Is it better to buy spices in bulk?
Yes, it is better to buy spices in bulk.
How do restaurants source their spices?
Restaurants typically source their spices from various suppliers, including:
- Wholesale spice distributors
- Foodservice distributors
- Direct from producers
Is selling spices profitable?
Yes, it is.
What are the most lucrative spices?
Some of the lucrative spices include:
- Sage
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Marjoram
- Tarragon
- Mint
- Chives
- Bay leaf
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Paprika
- Cinnamon