Top 10 Festive Ingredients 🎄
10 essential ingredients you need to make this Christmas the best one yet!
1. Nutmeg
When most people think of festive ingredients nutmeg is almost always the first ingredient that pops up. Perhaps it's because of it's intense nutty and slightly sweet taste as well as warm flavour or maybe it's contribution to traditional eggnog and Christmas cake recipes has something to do with it... Nutmeg is also a key ingredient in pumpkin spice which makes it a strong contender for the most autumnal and festive ingredient around! You can find our range of nutmeg ingredients here.
2. Cinnamon 
Is it really Christmas if you don't have cinnamon in your kitchen cupboards?! It's THE most Christmas-y scented ingredient in the world and can be used to make potpourri, delicious baked goods, festive beverages and can even be powerfully delicious in savoury dishes. Not only is cinnamon an extremely versatile ingredient, it also comes in all shapes and forms which makes it perfect for Christmas crafts and gift wrapping. Explore our range of cinnamon products here.
3. Star Anise 
This ingredients is so committed to Christmas that it's in the shape of a star! Despite it's sweetness, Star Anise is often used in savoury recipes such as soups, stews and broths (ideal for escaping from the winter wonderland outside). It's the ideal spice for creating Christmas crafts, popping into a glass of Mulled Wine or placed on top of a traditional festive cake. Take a look at our Star Anise products here.
4. Ginger
Gingerbread men, gingerbread lattes, ginger cake, the list goes on and on! Ginger can be used in so many different ways so there's no surprise that it has made it's way on to our Christmas list. The festive spice really makes itself known when it comes to show stopping traditional gingerbread houses, held together with royal icing and decorated with a variety of sweet ingredients. Shop our range of ginger ingredients here.
5. Cloves
Push some cloves in to an orange and you've got yourself an aromatic festive pomander or press into honey-glazed gammon for a boxing day feast! We have a wide selection of clove ingredients which you can find here.
6. Mulled Wine Spice Blend 
There's a reason Mulled Wine is served at Christmas markets and that's because it's deliciously warming and oh so festive! Our Mulled Wine Spice Blend is an aromatic blend of specially selected spices and fruit peels. Just 1-2 tablespoons of our mulled wine spice blend – depending how spiced you like the end result to be - will transform a bottle of red wine into a delicious warming drink; add a little demerara sugar to taste to the wine and spices and some fresh slices of orange and warm gently, do not boil, once warmed through, pour into mugs or heat proof glasses and enjoy! If you don’t drink use red grape juice or pomegranate juice. Find our blend here.
7. Pink Peppercorns 
Nothing says the holidays quite like Pink Peppercorns, could it be their resemblance to Rudolph's glowing nose or is it their rose-like scent and peppery bite wrapped in a sweet fruity flavour?! Swap everyday pepper for these little pink jewels and it will be a very merry Christmas! Check them out.
8. Rosemary
Every kitchen needs a healthy supply of Rosemary especially around the festive period! This popular herb is one of THE most aromatic of all herbs thanks to its lemon-pine, woody, and peppery flavour. There’s not much you can’t do with our aromatic Rosemary, that’s why it’s made its way into so many kitchen cupboards around the world... Find our Rosemary collection here.
9. Vanilla
Chances are if you're following a baking recipe, vanilla is involved which is why our Vanilla Pods have made it onto the list! No kitchen would be complete without this wonderfully fragrant ingredient... You’re probably more than familiar with the classic flavour but just in case you need a reminder… Vanilla has a sweet fragrance unlike any other with an almost caramelly taste and light floral components.
10. Bay Leaves 
Last but not leaf (see what we did there) are Bay Leaves! These may look like “just” leaves, but these leaves are actually very flavourful! Like all herbs, our Hand Selected Bay Leaves pack a punch in a small package. With their almost minty flavour (somewhere between spearmint and menthol) Bay Leaves also have a tasty hint of black pepper. Fun fact: The best flavour for cooking is obtained from dried leaves rather than fresh. Did we mention they are carefully hand selected?! Let’s make handmade winter wreaths, some natural foliage for your home or put your hand to some DIY potpourri... Shop Now.
