Spice Roaster or Toaster
According to http://www.mccormick.com Some spices toast better than others. For ideal results, experiment with these spices:
- chili powder - ground
- coriander - whole or ground
- cumin - whole or ground
- curry powder - ground
- dill seed - whole
- fennel seed - whole
- mustard - ground
- sesame - whole
- white peppercorns - whole or ground
- avoid toasting poppy and mustard seeds or ground cinnamon and nutmeg
Copied from: http://www.mccormick.com
Spices have an interesting way of maximizing flavors. When paired with the right foods, spices can tease the senses with an inviting aroma, tickle the palate with a newly discovered taste, and linger pleasantly after a satiating bite. Toasting spices before adding them to a comforting dish enhances the flavor sensation, as heat helps spices release their volatile oils, where their flavor essence resides. Top chefs from around the world often use this technique to add another layer of flavor to their dishes. Toasting spices is so easy to do (it takes less than a minute!), you can enjoy the flavor benefits right at home.
Dry Toasting - Simply place a dry skillet over medium heat. When the pan gets hot, pour in the desired amount of spice. Always toast only the amount of spice called for in the recipe. Using a spatula, stir the spice in the pan until it begins to release its aroma, approximately 30 seconds.
The Daily Grind - To extract maximum flavor from toasted spices, toast them whole and then grind or crush them directly before use. To grind, use a mortar-and-pestle or to crush, use the back of a skillet or a rolling pin. Place toasted spices in a self-closing plastic bag before crushing. You can also use a coffee grinder to grind spices. However, use a separate grinder for your coffee. To minimize any odor left behind from grinding toasted spices, grind raw white rice in the grinder. Rice absorbs odors left behind from grinding spices.
Wet Toasting - Wet toasting is essentially a way of sautéing a spice. Simply heat oil in a skillet and toast the spice for 20-30 seconds before adding other ingredients.