The Spice and Herb Bible - 3rd Edition by Ian Hemphill & Kate Hemphill (Paperback)

About the Book

Cooks everywhere use spices and herbs to enhance food flavors and to create new taste combinations and sensations. From bay leaves to lemongrass to vanilla beans, a well stocked kitchen must have a wide selection of herbs and spices. This expanded and completely revised new edition is the culmination of Ian Hemphill's lifelong experience in the spice industry. It is a fascinating and authoritative guide. Hemphill describes a wide range of global herbs and spices used in modern kitchens either alone or in wonderful blends. He completely demystifies the art of combining herbs and spices and home cooks can meet and enjoy a world of flavors previously found only at internationally inspired restaurants. He provides the "inside story" based on his extensive experience in this ancient and stimulating industry.

Book Synopsis

The IACP award-winning and James Beard nominated The Spice and Herb Bible has a brand-new cover treatment.

Cooks everywhere use spices and herbs to enhance food flavors and to create new taste combinations and sensations. From bay leaves to lemongrass to vanilla beans, a well-stocked kitchen must have a wide selection of herbs and spices.

This expanded and completely revised new edition is the culmination of Ian Hemphill's lifelong experience in the spice industry. It is a fascinating and authoritative guide. Hemphill describes a wide range of global herbs and spices used in modern kitchens either alone or in wonderful blends. He completely demystifies the art of combining herbs and spices and home cooks can meet and enjoy a world of flavors previously found only at internationally inspired restaurants. He provides the "inside story" based on his extensive experience in this ancient and stimulating industry.

The third edition features 6 new spice entries (for a total of 97), 102 new recipes, 33 new curry spice blends and 17 new spice blends. There is also a new and fascinating section, "Travels in the Spice Trade," that includes his personal anecdotes and travel stories. The interior pages have been completely redesigned and reorganized with full color throughout.

All the entries are listed alphabetically with a detailed color photo of every herb and spice. There are also comprehensive and handy storage suggestions with details for every herb and spice. A full-circle culinary experience in the world of herbs and spices, this new edition is still the definitive reference in its field.

Review Quotes

[Review of First Edition: ] A long overdue, essential kitchen tool for any serious home-cook. Here, finally, an easy to navigate encyclopedia of the flavors, scents, and perfumes of the world's cuisines, an aromatic gem of a book, as useful as it is weighty at almost 500 pages... This is an indispensable addition to any kitchen library, and one you'll find reason to consult alongside everyone of your cookbooks.--Byron Ayanoglu "Books in Canada" (11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of First Edition: ] A terrific book.--Marty Meitus "Rocky Mountain News" (6/9/2004 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of First Edition: ] Comprehensive information about all these natural ingredients that add flavor to food.-- "Healthy Cooking" (12/1/2002 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of First Edition: ] Offers insight into the exotic scents and flavors of culinary herbs and spices.-- "Publishers Weekly" (4/1/2002 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of First Edition: ] Simply put, [Hemphill] knows his herbs and spices.-- "HortIdeas" (2/1/2002 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of First Edition: ] This is a wonderful resource for both the novice and the experienced cook.--Shirley Reiss "Kliatt" (7/1/2002 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] A great resource... along with full-color photographs, you'll find historical information as well as tips on buying, storage and usage for each spice or herb.-- "Lincoln Journal Star" (10/25/2006 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] Casual cook or culinary adventurer, everyone will enjoys parts or all of this guide... Even non-cooks will enjoy a great read.--Susan Miller "Hersam Acorn (Fairfield County, CT)" (2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] Co-winner in the [2006 International Association of Culinary Professionals] Food Reference/Technical Category ... The book is essential for the sweeping array of spices and herbs now available.--William R. Wood "Kalamazoo Gazette" (5/7/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] Helps adventurous chefs sort out their seasonings.--Rachel Wharton "New York Daily News" (12/17/2006 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] This book is a remarkable achievement, not only for its encyclopedic coverage of the subject.... but for the coverage of the world spice blends and the great recipes... Highly recommended.--Dave DeWitt "Fiery Foods and BBQ" (2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of Previous Edition: ] This is an excellent addition to culinary collections in academic and public libraries. Serious cooks will want it for personal collections as well.--Barbara M. Bibel "American Reference Books Annual" (1/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

This truly beautiful and quite comprehensive volume will appeal to lovers of food, amateur and professional chefs, and everyone in between. While other works may address similar information, the author gives a personal touch to this one, which creates an uncommon warmth.--Dawn Lowe-Wincentsen, Oregon Institute of Technology "Library Journal" (11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Ian Hemphill, raised in Sydney, Australia, is the founder of Herbie's Spices, the internationally respected business that sells quality herbs and spices online at www.herbies.com.au.

Kate Hemphill, based in London, England, is a qualified chef and food writer, who also works at Herbie's Spices.