Tag: Culinary Compendium


  • Common Name: White Pepper Scientific Name: Piper nigrum Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: White pepper comes from the same plant as black pepper. The color difference comes from the way they are processed. While black pepper is picked…

  • Common Name: Sandalwood Scientific Name: Santalum album This refers only to culinary-safe sandalwood. Many commercial sandalwoods or scented woods are not edible. Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: In ancient India, sandalwood was used in royal kitchens, especially in…

  • Common Name: Cassia Buds Scientific Name: Cinnamomum cassia Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: Cassia buds are the dried, unripe flower buds of the same tree that produces cassia cinnamon. In ancient China, they were used as medicine and…

  • Common Name: Calcium Lactate Alternate names are E327 and Calcium 2-hydroxypropanoate. Scientific Name: C₆H₁₀CaO₆ Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: Long before modern chemistry, Calcium Lactate has been a part of diets around the world for thousands of years.…

  • Common Name: Gấc Fruit It is alternatively called Baby Jackfruit. Scientific Name: Momordica cochinchinensis Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: The gấc fruit is native to Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam, where it has been gathered and cultivated for centuries.…

  • Radhuni: Perfume of Bengal

    Common Name: Radhuni Alternate names are Ajmod and Wild Celery Seed. Scientific Name: Psammogeton involucratus (formerly Trachyspermum roxburghianum) Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: Radhuni is well known throughout Bengal and deeply rooted in Indian traditions. It has been…

  • Common Name: Jamun Berry Alternate names are Java Plum or Black Plum. Scientific Name: Syzygium cumini Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: Jamun berries are native to the Indian subcontinent, where they are considered one of the oldest known…

  • Rose petals carry centuries of tradition, from Persian courts to medieval confections, yet their sweet fragrance still delights us with their charm.

  • Common Name: Djon Djon Mushroom Scientific Name: Psathyrella coprinoceps Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: Djon Djon Mushrooms are native to the Caribbean, specifically Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It has been known…

  • Pili Nut: The Chosen Nut

    Common Name: Pili Nut The word pili comes from the Tagalog term meaning “to choose”. Scientific Name: Canarium ovatum Editorial Note: This entry is part of The Culinary Compendium’s ongoing ingredient archive and will be expanded as new sources are examined. History: The pili nut comes from an evergreen tree believed to be native to the…