Q: I have truffles. I want to make truffle salt. Is it as easy as storing truffles in some salt for a few days or a week, or is it more complicated? Do I need fancy salt? Google is really letting me down on this dilema, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sent by Camille More

There's a new spice shop that just opened in my Oakland neighborhood, and from the moment I walked in I was intrigued. I'd never encountered so many different varieties of one single spice or herb. When it came time to choose cardamom, I was stumped: which color pod was the most fragrant or flavorful? More

The idea of "basic" salt has changed over the last decade. With the rise of cooking television, magazines, and blogs, and the integration of world cuisine into everyday meals, what used to be a basic supply is no longer simple. This is perhaps most evident in the increasingly diverse world of salt. (Remember this guy and his salt shop?) Which salts do you rely on in your pantry? More

Our spice cupboard got a little fuller this year. There were peppers from Korea and Turkey, herbs from plants growing around the yard, and new discoveries from travel and visits to the spice shop. Did you try any of these 12 ingredients after we posted about them? More

We just whipped up a batch of chai concentrate intended for holiday gifts. Only problem: the mix is so delectable that we want to devour it ourselves! Fortunately, it is very easy to make. More

When you dine at WoodSpoon restaurant in Los Angeles, the waiter often brings a carafe of ice water with a cinnamon stick inside. It's an unusually refreshing beverage – and one that's easy to make at home, too. More

Are you up to your elbows in icing and ganache? Got silver dragees in your ears? We love all the sugar and frosting, but we also love a simple, sophisticated cookie with deep, warm holiday spices. These recipes are full of ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon (bonus: they're easy to pack for travel!). More

Brrrr. It looks like it's going to be an early winter this year. Here's a delicious drink , a classic, that is meant to be sipped while bundled up in an old plaid blanket or sitting in front of a fire. Whip up a batch to keep in your refrigerator for those chilled-to-the bone evenings or pack it into pretty little jars to give, along with a bottle of rum, as a holiday gift. More

Go ahead...start a new holiday tradition with this subtly sweet spiced bourbon. More

Cookie baking should be fun and festive, not stressful and harried. To ensure this is always the case, prep your pantry and spice cupboard so they're sorted and stocked for the holiday season. More