ABOUT SPICY CHAMELEON
We have always been in pursuit of flavour, in its many forms...
An enthusiasm for delicious food and drink - whether that be making it, eating it, talking about it, and seeking out new ingredients to try - has occupied much of our time over the years. A well stocked spice cupboard accompanied us in our experimenting, and every now and then a new spice or aromatic herb would be added. Often, trying out these new additions amazed us - how could so much flavour possibly be contained within a tiny seed, berry or leaf? How could there be so much variation in the flavour of similar looking chillies? And, how could we not have known about this ingredient before?
Spices - or in fact, any dried, plant-based ingredient that can add aroma and taste to food - are indispensable when it comes to creating nuanced layers of flavour and getting the best out of your ingredients, whatever they are. They can elevate the most basic, ordinary ingredients into something that makes you stop in your tracks and wonder why you haven't tried them together before.
Moments like these inspired an interest in how taste and flavour works. Led by a preference to cook based on the ingredients to hand rather than choosing specific recipes, we started playing with flavours differently. We realised that once you understand the flavour profile of a particular spice, it becomes almost infinitely adaptable. Coriander is a spice often associated with Indian cooking. But taste it in isolation and it has floral and citrus notes that are beautiful when teamed with a little honey and fresh orange juice, creating a perfumed dressing for fresh fruit.
Thinking outside of the box with spices also gives a freedom to combine them in different ways that can be surprisingly delicious. We created our blends to showcase the impact that spices can have in any kitchen, with an intention to demystify them and encourage others to explore the many wonderful flavours that spices can bring to every meal!
THE TEAM
Karinna
Karinna is an inventive cook, having always preferred to open the cupboard and fridge to see what inspires her rather than being driven by specific recipes. Having grown up in a house where spices were used regularly, she had always been familiar with using them to give layers of flavour to every day cooking, over the years through curiosity and experimentation she built an understanding of how to select ingredients based on their inherent characteristics, and how to spice dishes in a way that compliments and balances their different flavours.
Beth
Beth's background in hospitality has in the past ten years been focussed on speciality coffee, where origin, processing, roasting and brewing methods all contribute to the nuances of flavour found in the final cup. Karinna's cooking introduced her to spices she'd never tasted before, deepening her interest and understanding of flavour notes (whilst also improving her sous chef skills.) Today, Beth holds the very important role of taste tester of our blends. She can't get enough of Urfa chilli, and could happily eat potato (spiced, of course) every day.
Radish
Canine companion of Karinna and Beth - technically not a consumer of spices, although he does enjoy some herbs. But he's definitely also a flavour lover, constantly searching out the next delicious morsel to try. We encourage his enthusiasm for new tastes, within the confines of a dog-friendly diet, of course. His palette is quite sophisticated. Although not very hands-on, he's a great asset to our team, with a definite focus on the importance of rest and relaxation. We wouldn't be where we are today without him.