— and rehydrated in a small amount of warm or hot liquid before being added to a dish, in order to extract both flavor and color The main pigment is water soluble, but the inclusion of some alcohol or fat in the extraction liquid will dissolve additional fatsoluble carotenoids Saffron’s color and flavor molecules are readily altered by light and heat, so this valuable spice is best stored in an airtight container in the freezer Sumac Sumac is the small, dried, purplered berry of a shrubby relative (Rhus coriaria) of the cashew and mango trees, a native of southwest Asia Sumac is unusual for being very tart (from malic and other acids), astringent (from abundant tannins, to 4% of its weight), and aromatic, with pine, woody and citrus notes Sumac is ground and added to a number of savory dishes in the Middle East and North Africa A Survey of Tropical Spices Among the tropical spices, family relationships don’t readily translate into flavor relationships I’ve therefore listed them all in simple alphabetical order It’s interesting to note, though, that the ginger family includes turmeric, galangal, cardamoms, and grains of paradise; and that allspice and clove are members of the myrtle family, and thus relatives of each other and of two strong-scented fruits, guava and feijoa Allspice Allspice is the brown, mediumsized dried berry of a tree of the New World tropics Pimenta dioica is a member of the myrtle family and a relative of the clove Allspice took on its modern name in the 17th century because it was thought to combine the aromas of several spices, and today it’s often described as tasting like a mellow ... interesting to note, though, that the ginger family includes turmeric, galangal, cardamoms, and grains of paradise; and that allspice and clove are members of the myrtle family, and thus relatives of each other and of two strong-scented fruits, guava and feijoa... two strong-scented fruits, guava and feijoa Allspice Allspice is the brown, mediumsized dried berry of a tree of the New World tropics Pimenta dioica is a member of the myrtle family and a relative...A Survey of Tropical Spices Among the tropical spices, family relationships don’t readily translate into flavor relationships I’ve therefore listed them all in simple alphabetical order