tastesyKitchen shelf notes.
Practical answers to the ingredient questions that come up while shopping, cooking, or looking through a recipe.
Spices · Field notes
Cinnamon vs cassia: what are you actually buying?
Two related bark spices, one broad market name. How to read the label and understand the difference.
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Spices · Field notes
Cumin vs fennel: jeera is not saunf
Similar-looking ridged spices, different plants. A clear guide to the names in your masala dabba.
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Spices · Field notes
Shahi jeera vs jeera: read past the familiar name
Why a market name needs context—and how botanical names can help with a confusing spice label.
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Pulses · Field notes
Toor dal vs chana dal: two different pulses
Both can be yellow and split. They come from different plants—and that distinction is the place to start.
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