Haitian cooking is generous and fragrant. It doesn't rely on dozens of exotic spices, but on a few key ingredients used generously. Here are the essentials.
1. Epis, the base of everything
Before talking about spices, we need to talk about epis: a blend of fresh herbs, garlic, peppers and onions used to marinate almost every meat and to flavour rice, sauces and soups. Every family has its own recipe. Ours comes in two versions: Tutipis (all-purpose, with green habanero) and Chilipis (extra spicy, with red habanero).
2. Piment bouc
The Haitian name for habanero-type peppers (scotch bonnet). Very hot, but fruity and fragrant. Haitian tip: it's often added whole, without piercing it, to sauces and soups for flavour without too much heat. Want heat without cutting peppers? Our Ti Manman and Volkan hot sauces are ready to use.
3. Cloves
Subtle but essential. A few cloves give a warm note to griot, soup joumou, sauces and even drinks like kremas.
4. Thyme and parsley
The two basic fresh herbs. Parsley is often blended into epis, while thyme is added by the sprig to stews.
5. Garlic and shallots
Garlic is everywhere, and in generous amounts. Shallots and chives (cive) add a fragrant sweetness.
6. Citrus: sour orange and lime
Used to wash the meat, tenderize it and brighten marinades, as in griot.
7. Black pepper, star anise and nutmeg
Black pepper seasons almost everything. Star anise and nutmeg mainly flavour desserts and drinks.
How to cook Haitian without buying everything
The easiest way is to start with a good epis: it already contains the garlic, peppers, herbs and chili. Add a few cloves, a sprig of thyme and a squeeze of lime, and you have the base of most Haitian dishes. The Chili-Tuti duo is perfect to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What spices are used in Haitian cooking?
Piment bouc, cloves, thyme, parsley, garlic, shallots, black pepper and citrus, often combined in epis.
What is piment bouc?
The Haitian name for habanero or scotch bonnet peppers: very hot and fruity.
Where can I buy Haitian spices and marinades?
At our retail locations or in our online store, with free shipping in Canada on orders over $65.
