Generic vs Specific Spices

[altdalt]

I have 2 recipes. One calls for Hungarian paprika and the other calls for Chinese ground ginger and Madagascar vanilla extract. I have a cupboard of spices and am wondering if there is any discernible difference between these and the regular old generics?

 

[Andy M.]

Paprika, ground ginger, vanilla extract - use them. Paprika from Hungary, ginger from China and vanilla from Madagascar are not required. They are considered to be of higher quality.

You could just as easily use paprika from Spain, ginger from India and vanilla from who knows where.

 

[DaveSoMD]

Just be sure it is Pure Vanilla Extract, not the flavor or artificial vanilla.

 

[FrankZ]

Just be sure it is Pure Vanilla Extract, not the flavor or artificial vanilla.

Oh goodness yes.

 

[2day2eat]

Oh goodness yes.

+1

 

[vyapti]

There would be subtle differences, like olive oils from California, Spain or Italy, but you general paprika, vanilla, etc should work just fine.

 

[danpeikes]

There can be small dirrences in flavor and quality. With paprika, there is a huge range from sweet to sharp and some are smoked.