This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. TL:DR Use the code RANDWICHES when you shop on BurlapAndBarrel.com to get a FREE grinder of Robusta Black Peppercorns with any purchase of $15 or more.
Burlap & Barrel is a Queens-based public benefit company that is revolutionizing spices. On paper, they’re ticking all the feel-good-about-the-world boxes like working with small farms to build more equity and sustainability. Their sourcing is an educational touchpoint, too, broadening our knowledge of food systems, and highlighting the importance of traceability with regard to organic products and human rights. On top of all that, the spices are freaking good, strongly flavored, and intoxicatingly fragrant. You won’t find old bottles of Burlap & Barrel in my pantry because I’m reaching for them almost every day in the kitchen.
I’m so proud to partner with a company that holds the same culinary values as me. When you try Burlap & Barrel, use the code RANDWICHES when you shop on BurlapAndBarrel.com to get a FREE grinder of Robusta Black Peppercorns with any purchase of $15 or more.
I was so lucky to meet co-founder Ethan Frisch through my friend Max Falkowitz, who wrote a culinary trivia card game called TASTE TEST. Together, we hosted a panel of professionals for an online game show stream (watch the archive here). Ethan was so knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. Later on, I was happy to celebrate with the Burlap & Barrel team when they appeared on Shark Tank. I’m glad to be part of the community and can’t wait to keep expanding my spice knowledge, one bottle at a time.
Burlap & Barrel has an immense catalog, so please let me introduce you to my stand-bys and some new favorites. Bookmark this page because I’m going to update the guide as I try more spices.
WHAT DO I DO WITH….?
Ground Laurel Bay Leaves
I know this goes against my advice about grinding spices before you use them. This bay leaf powder from Denizli, Turkey is the exception. The leaves are so strong that they retain their volatile oils in this lovely green powder. When cooking, replace a single bay leaf with 1/8th teaspoon of ground laurel bay leaves.
Black Urfa Chili
Urfa biber peppers are grown in Turkey about 4 hours away from Aleppo, Syria. While I love throwing Aleppo pepper on everything, urfa peppers are unique in their umami and light spice. After they’re harvested, they’re sundried to concentrate their flavor. This particular bottle comes with a little sunflower oil to help the flakes bloom, but they’re perfectly safe to keep in the pantry. I like to use it in tandem with black lime on chicken or hummus.
Royal Cinnamon
When I tried ground royal cinnamon for the first time, I coughed. It is much more spicy and potent than any other cinnamon I have tried. Grocery store cinnamon sticks sit for so long on the shelf that my general idea of cinnamon had been pretty weak. My advice: when you use royal cinnamon in recipes, start with half of the suggested amount and add more if needed.
Cinnamon Tree Leaves
I did not know this was a THING. Just like you would use bay leaves for a flavor base, cinnamon tree leaves are a welcome addition to stews, beans, and braises. They’re perfect for a tiny essence of cinnamon versus a shotgun blast of pure ground royal cinnamon. I’ve improved the black bean recipe from my cookbook with them! I also have torched the leaves slightly for infusing bourbon.
Wild Mountain Cumin
While these cumin seeds look tinier than grocery store cumin, they’re a lightning bolt of flavor. These babies are foraged in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. I love to use cumin in my carne asada marinade and in chili.
Spice Surprise
Don’t know what to get? Add a Spice Surprise to your cart. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know this is very much in the spirit of Random Sandwiches. If you’re easily paralyzed by choice, this is the perfect solution.
FAQ
What is Burlap & Barrel?
Burlap & Barrel is a Public Benefit Corporation building new international spice supply chains that are equitable, transparent, and traceable.
What is your relationship with Burlap & Barrel?
I am an affiliate partner. That means that I get compensated by Burlap & Barrel for every purchase made through my links on this post.
How do I use my discount code?
Head to BurlapandBarrel.com and add $15 USD worth of items to your cart. Then, add the 1.8oz Robustra Black Peppercorn grinder-top jar to your cart. Upon check out, enter the code RANDWICHES on the right side. It should look like this photo on the right, the grinder should be marked as free. The code will not work for any other product or size.