REVISITING A SPICY DILEMMA

Time Once Again to Consider Two Unanswered Questions

In what language should I organise my spices, and why do I have so much paprika?

A profusion of paprika (author’s photos)

Hard to believe it’s been two years since I last tackled the unruly collection of glass bottles and jars crowding a small two-tiered trolley I refer to as “that spice thing.” Or that mess, as my partner refers to it. The state of it is even beginning to get on my nerves.

Several times, I’ve changed my mind about trying a particular recipe that calls for a certain spice, say fennel, simply because I can’t find the damn stuff that I know is in there somewhere. Probably lurking behind the fleur de sel (salt) from the Camargue. Inevitably, I find it weeks later when I’m looking for chilli powder.

I’ve even bought a replacement spice, then found the one I couldn’t previously find — and I wonder why my partner rolls his eyes. And what has changed in the two years since I first wrote about organising (I use the word loosely) my spices?

Not much.

Taco spice from my visit to the States three years ago, and some other equally outdated items