Spice it up with Be Creative Catering

Behind every “first taste” of a dish is a reaction; a reaction powered by emotion; an emotion that is triggered by memories, preferences, and literally: personal taste. Our history with certain foods is often tied to different experiences—experiences that shape the preferences and opinions we hold to be true about food. All the senses engage to form these opinions: smell, taste, sight, touch—our bodies catalog our food experiences and often unconsciously assign emotions to accompany them, much like a side dish.

Spices Used for Centuries

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering We think the biggest influencing factors in our taste and subsequently our food preferences are spices. Spices have been used for centuries to enhance the flavor of food, helping to formulate cultural distinctions between cuisines and, over time, forming flavor profiles for easier understanding. The four most well-known flavor categories or ‘profiles’ are bitter, salty, sour, and sweet. However, a true foodie cannot be limited to just four categories—there are countless other identifiable flavor characteristics!

Below are 15 sensory flavor characteristics and some of the common spices associated with each. Originally compiled and described by Spices Inc.

Bitter

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering Alone, not a good flavor for humans, who are extremely sensitive to it. Presented in coffee, chocolates, and beer; bitterness is also present in most raw vegetables.

Bitter Spices: Bay Leafs, Celery, Clove, Cumin, Horseradish, Oregano, Thyme.

Cooling

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering Those that give the mouth a refreshing sensation; think mint in a tall glass of water on a hot day.

Cooling Spices: Spearmint, Dill, Sweet Basil.

Earthy

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering Foods that are intimately tied to the earth, such as potatoes or beets, are often described as earthy. While some will say this flavor is undesirable, when combined with other flavor profiles, it can sometimes be referred to as ‘umami’—a Japanese word for ‘pleasantly savory taste.’

Earthy Spices: Cumin, Saffron.

Floral

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering A flavor experience of the spring; commonly associated with teas.

Floral Spices: Coriander, Lemongrass, Rose Petals, Lavender.

Fruity

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering Sweeter and often give off a fruity scent as well!

Fruity Spices: Fennel, Anise, Tamarind.

Hot

Spice it up with Be Creative Catering Characterized by the ability to heat up your mouth quickly, sometimes leaving you coughing or ‘ruining’ a dish when used incorrectly.

Hot Spices: Black Pepper, Chiles, Horseradish, Mustard, Wasabi.

Be Creative Catering: Your Partner in Flavor

Be Creative Catering seeks to partner with each client when choosing menu items. We believe that each event is unique, each host unique, and that food can be the gateway to a true positive emotional experience, regardless of the occasion! Using describing words about your taste preferences and the overall goals of your menu is a helpful way to guide planning discussions.

Visit our Standard Menu to see our offerings, many of which use the above 15 flavor profiles! You can also explore our tailored options for wedding receptions, holiday parties, and corporate events. Our award-winning chef and planning team are ready to help transform your next event into a flavor fiesta.