Ingredients

Discover all the hard-to-find ingredients to excite any cook, chef or foodie. We are a specialist food shop for gourmet ingredients, and you can find anything from cooking ingredients, chef ingredients, gourmet ingredients, world foods, and luxury sweets and treats.

Ingredients for cooks online

These are the ingredients you wouldn't find at your local grocery or organic food store - it's the perfect online chef supermarket! We've hand-picked, tried and tested the finest ingredients from chefs and cooks in restaurants and at home, from around the world. Helpfully segmented into baking, world condiments and sauces, herbs and spices and many more - it's easy to find exactly what you're looking for whether you're a chef or home cook.

Everything you need to know about…

We also have a long list of handy guides to help you understand what ingredients you are cooking with, their history and common uses. Why not read about pomegranate molasses, kimchi, gochugaru or Sichuan pepper?

When it comes to cooking, the quality of your ingredients can make or break a dish. Whether you’re preparing a simple meal or an elaborate feast, shopping for ingredients is the first and most crucial step. At Sous Chef, we believe that using the finest ingredients can elevate your cooking to new heights. In this guide, we’ll explore how to shop for ingredients, using examples from our extensive selection.

How to Choose the Right Ingredients

Choosing the right ingredients depends on the dish you’re making. For a simple pasta, you might only need a few high-quality items like olive oil, salt, and tomatoes. But for a complex dish like paella, you’ll need a list of ingredients including saffron, seafood, and herbs.

Understanding Your Ingredients

Every dish is made up of component parts, with each ingredient playing a specific role. To create a mixture that works, you need to understand the food you’re working with. Are you looking for flavours that form the base of many recipes? Or are you in search of more unique component parts that can add a special touch to your meals?

Essential Ingredients

Some ingredients are staples in every kitchen. Salt and pepper are prime examples—these items bring out the flavors in your food, making them indispensable. At Sous Chef, we offer a range of salts and peppers from around the world, including Fleur de Sel de Camargue from France and Sansho Pepper from Japan.

Some dishes require a combination of ingredients to achieve the desired flavor and texture. These mixtures are often complex, involving multiple component parts that work together harmoniously. At Sous Chef, we have everything you need to create these mixtures—from herbs and spices to nuts and additives.

Spices

Spices can transform a dish. Whether you’re making a Mexican mole or a Korean kimchi, the right spices are crucial. At Sous Chef, you’ll find a wide range of spices, from Japanese togarashi to Mexican chipotle powder.

Herbs

Herbs are another essential ingredient that add depth and complexity to foods. Fresh or dried, they can be the active ingredient in many dishes. For example, fresh basil in a French ratatouille or dried oregano in a Greek salad. At Sous Chef, we offer a selection of dried herbs from around the world, ensuring you have the items needed to bring your dishes to life.

Herbs and spices are key for adding flavour to your cooking. Whether you’re making a simple soup or a complex curry, the right combination of herbs and spices is crucial. Sous Chef offers a vast selection of herbs and spices, from classic French tarragon to exotic Japanese shiso.

Ingredients from Around the World

At Sous Chef, we pride ourselves on sourcing food from the best suppliers worldwide. Whether it’s Japanese rice vinegar, French mustard, or Mexican vanilla, we ensure that every product in our store meets our high standards.

Different cuisines rely on specific ingredient combinations to create their signature flavors. For example, Japanese cuisine often combines soy sauce, mirin, and miso. Mexican food frequently uses a combination of cumin, coriander, and chili powder. At Sous Chef, you can discover ingredients from around the world to help you recreate these authentic dishes.

Creating authentic dishes requires all the ingredients needed to replicate the original recipe. This might include specialty items that are hard to find in the UK, like Japanese yuzu juice or Mexican masa harina. At Sous Chef, we make it easy to find these all the ingredients you need.

Essential Ingredient

If you like experimenting in the kitchen, adding exotic ingredients to your pantry can be exciting. Sous Chef offers a variety of unusual ingredients like Korean gochujang, Japanese matcha powder, and Mexican epazote. These component parts can bring new flavors and textures to your cooking.

When it comes to food, many people prefer organic ingredients. Organic foods are grown without synthetic additives or pesticides, making them a healthier choice. Sous Chef offers a selection of organic ingredients that meet the highest standards.

Balance is key in cooking, and choosing complementary ingredients can make a big difference. For example, salt can enhance the sweetness of a fruit dessert, while herbs can add freshness to a rich stew. Understanding how to pair flavours is an important skill in the kitchen.

Ingredient Lists and How to Use Them

When following a recipe, it’s important to carefully read the ingredient list. This will help you gather all the ingredients needed before you start cooking. At Sous Chef, we provide detailed ingredient lists in the Bureau of Taste, making it easy to order everything you need.

Sometimes, you might need to substitute one ingredient for another. This could be due to allergies, availability, or personal preference. For example, if you can’t find Japanese dashi, you can use chicken broth as a substitute. At Sous Chef, we offer a range of products so you can easily find substitutes if needed.

Fruit is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. From fig jam in a French tart to dried apricots in a Moroccan tagine, fruit adds sweetness and complexity to many dishes. Sous Chef offers a variety of dried fruits and jams to add to your pantry.

Nuts

Nuts can be an active ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. They add crunch, flavor, and nutrition to everything from salads to desserts. Sous Chef offers a wide range of nuts, including almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts, all of which can be ordered in bulk.

The Importance of Quality

At the end of the day, the quality of your ingredients makes all the difference. At Sous Chef, we are committed to offering only the highest quality to our customers. Whether you’re preparing a simple dish or a gourmet meal, you’ll find everything you need to make your cooking shine.

For those who want to cook with the finest ingredients, Sous Chef offers a carefully curated selection. From Japanese miso paste to Mexican mole sauce, we source the best ingredients globally. These essential ingredients are key to creating authentic foods that represent the culinary traditions of their countries.

Shopping for ingredients is an art in itself. Knowing which component parts to choose and how to combine them is key to creating delicious, memorable meals. At Sous Chef, we provide a wide range of ingredients from around the world, ensuring that you have everything you need to create authentic, flavorful dishes. Whether you’re looking for essential ingredients like salt and pepper, or more exotic additives and herbs, you can find it all at Sous Chef. So why not explore our selection today and discover the joy of cooking with the best ingredients available?