The cold weather is upon us and before we know it, it will officially be the winter season. There’s something about the cold air that sends us searching for warmth wherever we can find it. The season, in its own way, reminds us to slow down, savor the rich aromas, and reconnect with the spices that warm us from the inside out – cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and nutmeg, just to name a few.
I enjoy adding a cinnamon stick to my apple cider (hot or cold), hot chocolate, and even to my morning coffee from time to time.
Do you have one or more favorite winter flavors and/or spices? Let me know in the comment section below!
❄️ Core Winter Spices
Winter spices have a way of adding warmth and character to cold-weather cooking. Cinnamon brings its familiar sweet aroma, ginger lends a gentle heat, and nutmeg and cloves offer cozy, comforting flavors that elevate both sweet and savory dishes.
Let’s take a look at some popular winter spices as shared by thenutritioninsider.com.
Cinnamon – warm, sweet, used in baking, mulled drinks, and savory dishes
Nutmeg – rich, nutty, perfect in custards, beverages, and creamy dishes
Cloves – bold, pungent, essential in holiday cooking
Ginger – zesty and warming; great for cookies, teas, and stir-fries
Cardamom – aromatic and complex; central in chai blends
Allspice – tastes like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove; often used in winter stews
Star Anise – licorice-sweet; a star ingredient for mulled wine
🍊 Seasonal Winter Flavors
Seasonal winter flavors add both color and richness to the winter season. Citrus fruits bring a refreshing burst of brightness, dark fruits like figs, dates, and cranberries offer natural sweetness, and roasted nuts contribute warmth and a satisfying crunch.
These flavors work together to make winter cooking more vibrant and enjoyable.
Citrus (orange, blood orange, grapefruit, Meyer lemon)
Dark fruits (dates, figs, cranberries)
Roasted nuts (pecans, chestnuts, walnuts)
Maple
Molasses
Vanilla + chocolate combinations
Peppermint
❄️ Best Winter Foods in each State
No matter what state you live in, winter is the perfect time of year to indulge in hearty comfort foods and other favorites. I came across this fun list of favorite winter foods in each state as shared by tasteofhome.com; they also shared the recipes for these foods if you’re interested. I may even try some myself! (Please Note: unfortunately there was no information listed for the states of Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont.)
Alabama: Carrot Fruitcake
Alaska: Orange Ricotta Pancakes
Arizona: Bistro Mac & Cheese
Arkansas: Chicken Noodle Casserole
California: Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Colorado: Chicken Enchilada Bake
Connecticut: White Bean Soup with Escarole
Delaware: Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies
Florida: Creamy Italian Chicken
Georgia: Gnocchi with White Beans
Hawaii: Pineapple Ham Casserole
Idaho: Big Soft Ginger Cookies
Illinois: Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Indiana: Creamy White Chili
Iowa: Roast Beef and Gravy
Kansas: Mom’s Meat Loaf
Kentucky: Morning Maple Muffins
Louisiana: Shrimp Chowder
Maine: New England Lamb Bake
Maryland: Favorite Baked Spaghetti
Massachusetts: Potluck Macaroni and Cheese
Michigan: Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
Minnesota: Favorite Hamburger Stew
Mississippi: Easy Meatball Stroganoff
Missouri: Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes
Montana: Four-Cheese Chicken Fettuccine
Nebraska: Cheesy Ham Chowder
Nevada: Cauliflower Au Gratin
New Hampshire: Mashed Potato Cups
New Jersey: Quick Cream of Mushroom Soup
New Mexico: Apple Cider Chicken ‘n’ Dumplings
New York: Corn Pudding
North Carolina: Ravioli Lasagna
North Dakota: Slow-Cooked Sirloin
Ohio: Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Oklahoma: Simple Taco Soup
Oregon: Pretty Cranberry Coffee Cake
Pennsylvania: Moist Chocolate Cake
South Carolina: Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes
Tennessee: Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Texas: Skillet Mac & Cheese
Utah: Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
Virginia: Simple Au Gratin Potatoes
Washington: Italian Sausage with Bow Ties
West Virginia: Skillet Chicken Stew
Wisconsin: Cheeseburger Soup
Wyoming: Pull-Apart Bacon Bread
NCP Panel Members: Please remember to consistently scan all your purchases throughout every season. Your shopping insights and seasonal buys make a meaningful impact all year long. Thank you!
Regards,
Taylor
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