Tip: the Mix Your Own Spice Blend workshop

Are you, like me, crazy about spicy dishes and do you spice up every meal with a variety of fresh herbs and spices? And would you like to learn more about these flavor makers and make your own spice blends? Then the Mix Your Own Spice Blend workshop is really for you. After this spice workshop, (often fake) ready-made spice mixes from the supermarket will be a thing of the past, and from now on you’ll make your own blends.

During this fun, delicious and interactive workshop, you’ll learn to understand flavor profiles, delve deeper into the theory behind aromas and understand why certain combinations work so well. And you’ll understand (even better) why supermarket spices are a far cry from the real deal.

Sustainable spices

Did you know, for example, that your supermarket cinnamon can sometimes be in transit for as long as two years before it reaches the shelves? That naturally affects the flavor. Many spice farmers also don’t receive a fair price for their product. This is due to the long food chain, with several links between the farmer and the consumer. Wholesalers, intermediaries, packaging companies and the stores themselves; they all want to make a margin on the product. A margin that is taken away from the producer—the farmer. The Good Spice, together with Spice First the initiator of the spice workshop, wants to do something about these unfair conditions in the spice trade and only works with and sells spices grown in harmony with people and nature. Sustainable spices, in other words. And you can taste it!

Herbs versus spices

During this workshop, you’ll quickly learn the difference between herbs and spices and how easily you’re fooled when buying spices at the supermarket. Iona Mulder of The Good Spice became aware of this during a trip to Hong Kong, when a friend let her taste cinnamon straight from the tree. She immediately noticed the difference and then started researching. Among other places, she traveled to India, Hungary and Sri Lanka to talk to spice farmers.

Iona: ‘’I discovered that many supermarket spices are blended with older harvests to create an average flavor, a flavor that remains consistent every year. The climate, soil and cultivation methods all influence the flavor. As a result, one year can be better than another. Large companies want to conceal this by blending different years together, keeping the quality consistent, but not necessarily good. Some spices are also mixed with cheaper varieties from China or with other ingredients. Black pepper is sometimes mixed with papaya seeds to increase the volume. Of course, that never improves the flavor. That’s why you can find the country of origin on very few supermarket spice jars.’’

Make your own spice blends

So leave all that supermarket stuff on the shelf and get started yourself. From fragrant chai masala and crunchy Egyptian dukkah to the best blend for the barbecue; during this workshop, you’ll learn how to make them yourself from now on. Using a flavor wheel, you’ll learn to analyze aromas and flavor profiles and understand why some combinations work better than others. And once you’ve tasted sustainable spices, you really won’t want anything else.

Dates, location and price of the spice workshop

The next spice workshops by The Good Spice and Spice First will take place on Friday, April 4, 2025. There are two shifts. The first is at 5:30 p.m., the second at 8:00 p.m. Delicious drinks and some snacks will be available. The workshop costs €47.50—and of course you’ll take your own spice blend home with you. And for those who wish, there will be a communal table afterward where a spicy meal is served for €10. Believe me, this is a delicious start to your weekend—and the rest of your cooking life! You can buy your ticket here.

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