Tasting Notes: Steenbergs Organic Harissa with Rose

These tasting notes are mainly as an aide memoir for me, as I can never remember which brands that I like, or perhaps more importantly do not like.   Over time I am hoping to build up a substantial database on my ingredients page.

I do adore Steenbergs. They produce fantastic organic & fairtrade spices and their entire business is as green as green can be.

The description the back of their organic Harissa with Rose tin says “bitingly hot”, this is not an understatement, and should be taken as a warning.  Twice I have merrily added a little too much and then remembered that “biting hot” is an accurate description (Steenbergs tell me that many of their spice blends are strong and one bakery, when using Steenbergs products, halves the amount of spice they use).    The addition of rose buds adds a floral  note to this hot, spicy and delightfully sour blend.   Having used both harissa pastes and powders I far prefer the powder as it keeps in the cupboard and unlike some pastes will not go off or need keeping in the fridge once opened.    The packaging is excellent.  Finally a spice jar that I can get my measuring spoon into rather than having to tap the contents out onto, which leads to the inevitable spill and wastage.

In the interests of full disclosure, Steenbergs is owned by my boyfriend’s cousin and her husband and this was a free sample, however I would happily buy this product and would write exactly the same about it had I no connection to the company.