Spice Chronicles | Mediterranean Spice Blog by Edi Gourmet

Measuring spoons showing 1 tsp dried mint next to 1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint to illustrate the 1:3 ratio.

Dried Mint vs Fresh Mint: Substitution Ratio & Which to Use

Discover the flavor, nutrition, and best uses of dried vs fresh mint—plus how to substitute them in cooking and tea.

Small clay bowl of ground red sumac spice with lemon wedges and olive oil on a wooden table, photographed in natural light.

What Is Sumac Spice? Taste, Origin, and Everyday Uses

Discover the tangy, citrusy flavor of sumac spice — a Middle Eastern favorite that adds brightness to salads, meats, and dips. Learn what it is, how it tastes, how to use it in cooking, and where to buy the freshest sumac in Canada.

Four bowls on a wooden table: Aleppo pepper flakes, red pepper flakes with visible seeds, paprika and cayenne, side by side.

Aleppo Pepper vs Red Pepper Flakes: Not Even Close

Aleppo pepper is the chef’s choice for deeper flavor and gentle heat. Learn how Maras-style Aleppo upgrades any recipe—then order yours from Edi Gourmet Spice!

Pumpkin pie spice dusted over the foam of a latte in a ceramic cup on a wooden table.

What is Pumpkin Pie Spice? Ingredients, Taste & Where to Buy

Discover everything about pumpkin pie spice—what it is, why it’s so popular, and creative ways to use it. Warm up your kitchen with this classic autumn blend!

What Is Za’atar? The Spices, and Why There Are Two

Key Takeaways Za’atar is a blend, but the word also names a plant, Origanum syriacum, which is neither oregano nor thyme. Levantine za’atar is built on that dried herb with sumac, toasted sesame and salt, usually four to six ingredients. Turkish za’atar, often called zahter, is built on roasted chickpeas, […]

What Is Baharat? The Middle Eastern 7-Spice Blend Explained

Key Takeaways Somebody hands you a jar labelled 7 Spice. Somebody else hands you one labelled Baharat. Same thing, different label, and that is where most of the confusion starts. Baharat is the Arabic word for spices. Plural. Generic. It is a warm, ground blend that turns up in Turkish, […]