Quatre Épices – French Four Spice Mix from the Auberge

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 1

Quatre Épices - French Four Spice Mix recipe from the Auberge

Quatre Épices – French Four Spice Mix from the Auberge

by The Chefin Spice Mix

Prep

10 min

Cook

N/A

Ready In

10 min

Level

Very easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

N/A

Calories

N/A

Sugar

N/A

Fat

N/A

Quatre Épices is a classic French spice mix that has been used for centuries in French cuisine. Traditionally, the mix includes four spices (hence the name) - white pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon - but some variations may also include ginger, allspice, or cardamom. The spice mix is often used in hearty dishes, such as meat stews and pâtés, but it can also be used in sweet recipes like pies and cakes. The Auberge is a famous French restaurant that serves classic French dishes, including those that require Quatre Épices, and this blend is a signature spice mix of the restaurant.

Instructions

1.	In a dry skillet, toast the peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon stick over low-medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
2.	Grind the toasted spices using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3.	Add the ground spices to a small bowl.
4.	Grate the nutmeg into the bowl using a microplane grater.
5.	Add the ground ginger and allspice (if using) to the bowl.
6.	Mix all of the spices together until well combined.

PROS

Quatre Épices is a versatile spice blend that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory soups and stews to sweet pies and cakes.

The blend offers a warm and aromatic flavor to dishes, perfect for fall and winter recipes.

CONS

While Quatre Épices can add depth of flavor to dishes, it can also overpower other flavors if too much is used.

It’s important to use the spice mix in moderation to prevent overwhelming the dish.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While Quatre Épices itself does not have significant health benefits, the individual spices used in the mix have shown potential health benefits.
Peppercorns may aid in digestion, nutmeg contains anti-inflammatory properties, cloves have been linked to reducing blood sugar levels, and cinnamon has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the body.

	1 tablespoon white peppercorns
	1 small whole nutmeg
	10 cloves
	1 cinnamon stick , about 2-inch
	1 teaspoon ground ginger
	1 tablespoon allspice berry , see below ( optional )