Fresh from revealing its contemporary new packaging Spice Drops, the unique range of concentrated extracts of herbs and spices is adding two new citrus varieties to the collection – Orange Spice Drops and Lemon Spice Drops.
Both are made from fresh fruits grown and pressed in India and have been developed in response to demand from the baking fraternity who find it hard to buy good quality lemon and orange extract, appreciating the speed and convenience of using an extract instead of grating the rind of the actual fruit. Just four drops of the Orange Spice Drops is the equivalent of the zest of half an orange while only two drops of Lemon Spice Drops equates to the zest of one whole lemon. Both can be used to effortlessly enhance and intensify the orange or lemon taste of cakes, biscuits, desserts or chocolate. They can also be used in drinks like smoothies or juices and even in savoury recipes such as carrot soup or sauces, but all without the grating or grinding.
The complete Spice Drops range has been developed to remove the fear of using herbs and spices and to inspire a whole new generation of home cooks and bakers with their easy to use format. While the new Orange and Lemon Spice Drops add principally to the armoury of the baker, other varieties in the range such as cardamom, turmeric, saffron, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, garlic, or clove assist the chef who is trying to make an authentic curry or Eastern inspired meal. However, Spice Drops are all about versatility and convenience and each pack carries a recipe as well as describes ways of using the Spice Drops that the chef or cook may not have considered before.
They can be used in virtually anything; in teas, coffees, juices, smoothies or cocktails to add a burst of flavour, in cooking to add intensity to curries, gravies or sauces, as well as in baking and confectionery. By simply adding a drop of the relevant Spice Drops the recipe is improved and enhanced with an authentic, fresher, more intense flavour. Spice Drops are so flexible they can be added at any point in the cooking process and with a shelf life of three years, the results are consistent every time – unlike with dried herbs or spices which lose their flavour very quickly. Spice Drops have been praised by Nigella Lawson, Tom Kerridge, Anthony Worrall Thompson, Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala for their ease of use and the authentic flavour they add to any dish.
The full Spice Drops range is made using fresh produce mainly from local farms in Kerala, India, (except for the saffron which is sourced from Iran). They are all natural and retain the goodness and flavour of the herbs, fruits and flowers from which they are made. They contain no salt, sugar or artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives, as well as being gluten free and suitable for vegans. They are also ethically sourced and ethically produced; the products are handmade in the factory in Kerala which is a women’s enterprise employing mainly disadvantaged women. In a traditionally male dominated society, employment in the factory gives these women much needed self-confidence and independence, making a genuine difference to their lives.
The full Spice Drops range, including new Orange Spice Drops is available now online fromOcado, Amazon or from here and in store at selected Whole Foods Markets while Lemon Spice Drops will be on sale from the beginning of July from the same outlets. All Spice Drops (except Saffron) retail for around £3.50 per 5ml bottle (around 150 drops).
