A journey along the spice trail

- Published: 07 February, 2005

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Coatings and seasonings expert Bowman Ingredients has developed a line of spice blends designed to add authentic flavour and visual appeal to prepared foods, such as meat joints and barbecue products.

Called the Spice Trail, the new line was developed after Bowman hooked up with Birgit Erath -- spice guru and owner of the Spice Shop in London's Portobello Road.

Retail development manager Julian Collings explains: "Erath has travelled extensively learning about how different cultures use local spices and sourcing them direct from farmers to retail in her shop. Working with her, we have co-branded a new line of spice blends for wet glazes and rubs."

Bowman says customers are demanding more authentic flavours and clean label declarations. They also want products that look attractive and add value. The new range not only uses unusual spices and ingredients, it also employs different sizing of spice particulates and smoking and roasting techniques to get visually appealing products and new flavours.

The ingredients range from pink peppercorns to edible rose petals, and the blends have real provenance, says Collings.