Spices in Use

Phở is the famous Vietnamese soup consisting of beef broth, spices, herbs and rice noodles and is also considered to be „a symbol of Vietnam“. While the origins of phở go back about hundred years ago in Northern Vietnam, not much is known about the origins of some of its ingredients. As most phở stall owners agree, a good phở starts with a broth made out of beef bones and a mix of spices among which star anise, cinnamon and cardamom that give the broth its special flavor. Click the link for a recipe.

In Vietnam, burning incense is an important aspect of worship through which people pray and provide offerings to ancestors, the Buddha, Mother Goddesses, and a range of spiritual beings and national heroes. Cleaning or replacing the incense pot is a delicate affair, requiring special care, also referred to as Bao sái. For the cleaning, special spice water is often used (nước bao sái). The water contains five different flavors including cinnamon, star anise, cloves, eucalyptus and wine wood. The spice water is said to help to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, repels insects and also gives a pleasant scent.

Can spices help you sleep?

“The health pillow, made from soft cotton fibers mixed with anise powder and cinnamon powder, has a natural sweet scent that not only gives you a gentle, smooth sleep but also has a very good effect in preventing colds, headaches, aches and pains... It brings health, refreshment and relaxation after every sleep.”

gối sức khỏe được làm từ những sợi bông mềm mại pha lẫn bột hồi, bột quế được thiên nhiên ban tặng mùi hương ngọt ngào không những mang lại cho bạn giấc ngủ nhẹ nhàng, êm ái mà còn có tác dụng rất tốt trong phòng chống các bệnh cảm cúm, đau đầu, nhức mỏi... đem đến sức khỏe, sự sảng khoái, thư thái sau mỗi giấc ngủ

Click the link for a recipe.