Fenugreek herb Pronounce it: fenn-you-greek her-b A staple of Indian food (the herb’s Indian name is methi), fenugreek has a very distinctive, curry-powder aroma and a three-leafed, clover-like shape. The dried seed (see fenugreek seed)…
Butternut squash Pronounce it: buttah-nut skwash Butternut squash is one of the most popular varieties of winter squash or pumpkins. That is, types that are long keepers rather than short, such as summer’s courgettes. All squash are native to…
Flour Pronounce it: fl-ow-er Flour is a powdery ingredient usually made from grinding wheat, maize, rye, barley or rice. As the main ingredient in bread, it is one of the most common and sought-after ingredients…
Xylitol Xylitol is an all-natural alternative to sugar. The substance derives from the fibres of plants and can be extracted from a variety of vegetation including berries, mushrooms, birch bark and corn husks. It’s also…
Gluten Pronounce it: gloo-ten This is the major protein in grains and is proportionally highest in wheat. Gluten is what allows the flour of yeast-raised baking to swell and lighten, but this only happens if…
Spring greens Pronounce it: sp-ring gr-eens Spring greens are the first cabbages of the year. They have fresh, loose heads without the hard heart of other cabbages. Availability Spring greens are at their peak from…
Nutritional yeast Pronounce it: new-trish-in-al yeest Dried nutritional-yeast flakes differ from active and beer yeasts because, after being grown commercially, the yeast is heat treated to de-activate it, so it cannot ferment. Its special appeal…
Chardonnay Pronounce it: shar-don-ay The global celebrity Chardonnay is one of the few grape varieties that has become more famous than the wines made from it. The fact that it is relatively easy to grow…
Riesling Pronounce it: ree-zling Wine writers’ favourite Ask wine writers for their favourite variety and the one many will name is Riesling. The reason is its capacity to produce great wines across the world, all…
Colombard Pronounce it: co-lom-bah Wine-blender’s favourite Colombard will never be in the first division of wine grapes. Instead it is a stalwart of the supermarket bargain bracket, being relatively easy to grow. As it does…