WILLIAMSON SPICES FAQ
Williamson Wine & Food
ASK HERBIE
Straight answers about herbs, spices and better cooking.
Ian “Herbie” Hemphill has spent more than fifty years sourcing, tasting and cooking with spices. We sat him in front of a camera and asked the questions cooks ask us most—from choosing pepper and reading labels to roasting whole spices and pairing them with wine.
Start with the essentials or follow your appetite into the more curious corners of the spice cupboard.
Spice School Without the Homework
GOOD COOKING BEGINS WITH A BETTER QUESTION
What makes a spice aromatic rather than merely old? When should it be toasted, ground or left alone? Which pepper belongs in the pan, and which one may require a glass of milk and a brief period of reflection?
Herbie answers in short videos drawn from a lifetime among spice growers, chefs and home kitchens. Every video opens in a new tab, so you can return to the guide without losing your place.
THE HERBIE VIDEO GUIDE
Choose a subject. Herbie will take it from there.
Start Here — The Essential Questions
New to serious spices? Begin here.
Quality, Freshness, Packaging & Labels
The packet tells a story. Herbie explains what the words mean and what separates a lively spice from pantry dust.
- How important is it to use high-quality spices?
- What does the best-before date mean?
- Why are Herbie’s spices more potent?
- Why use resealable packets instead of bottles?
- How are ingredients listed?
- Are all ingredients listed?
- What does country of origin mean?
- Do Herbie’s spices contain salt?
- Are Herbie’s spices gluten-free?
- Are Herbie’s spices organic?
- How are the spices handled safely?
- Can spices be part of a healthy diet?
- What is The Spice and Herb Bible?
Ingredient note: Organic and gluten-free status may vary by product. Review the individual product information if you have a dietary, allergy or ingredient requirement.
Pepper, Chiles, Curries & Cooking Techniques
Australian Native Herbs & Spices
Ingredient Library
Back to the Table
KNOW THE SPICE. COOK THE DISH. POUR THE WINE.
Understanding a spice is useful. Knowing what to cook with it, and which wine to pour beside the dish, is where Williamson enters the kitchen.
Our culinary team develops recipes around Herbie’s spices and pairs each dish with a Williamson wine. Spice Club brings that work together four times a year: spices and blends, practical recipes, cooking videos and member savings on additional spices.
LET THE SPICES OUT OF THE CUPBOARD
Seasonal spice collections, Williamson recipes, chef videos and wines chosen for the table.