How do I recognise good spices?

With your nose. Open a jar and breathe into it gently. A fresh, high quality spice gives you a clear, intense aroma straight away. If little or almost nothing comes back, it is too old, too cheap or has been stored for too long. That is the most honest test there is. Next comes origin. A Tellicherry Pfeffer TGSEB, harvested late and selected by hand, has about as much in common with standard supermarket pepper as a Bordeaux has with boxed wine. What matters is the moment of harvest, the variety, the drying and the processing. And then the ingredient list. If it names nothing but the spice itself, that is a good sign. If salt, sugar, flavour enhancers or anti caking agents appear, someone has made up for quality that was missing. In my manufactory I work exclusively with top qualities in very small batches, without additives and without compromise. The way I was used to working for over 20 years in Michelin starred kitchens.

How do I store spices properly, and how long do they keep?

The three greatest enemies of spices are light, air and moisture. In a professional kitchen we therefore always store spices dark, dry, airtight and separate from one another, never above the stove and never in the fridge. Shelf life depends very much on the form. Whole spices such as peppercorns, nutmeg or cinnamon sticks keep for three to five years when stored correctly. Ground spices and blends should be used within six to twelve months, because the essential oils escape faster once they have been milled. My personal tip: buy smaller quantities and buy fresh more often. And if you are unsure whether a spice is still good, smell it. If no clear aroma comes through, it is time for a new one.

Do your spices contain additives, flavour enhancers or anti caking agents?

No. Not a single one of our more than 410 products contains flavour enhancers, preservatives, anti caking agents, artificial flavourings or colourings. 100 % natural, 100 % handmade, without exception. As a chef this was never a question for me. Anyone who works with first class raw materials and processes them cleanly needs no additives. What is in our jars is what the ingredient list says, and nothing else.

Where does Manufaktur Funke deliver to, and from what order value is shipping free?

We ship to Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. Within Switzerland shipping is free from an order value of CHF 30. Orders are packed fresh in our manufactory in Heiden AR and are usually dispatched within 1 to 2 working days.

Can I buy and taste the spices on site in Heiden?

Yes, and I warmly recommend it. In our little shop right next to the production in Heiden AR (Im Bad 3) you can smell and taste every spice and talk to me in person about origin, quality and use. Because spices are best bought with your nose. Opening hours: Monday 9 to 12 and 14 to 17, Tuesday to Friday 9 to 12 and 14 to 18, Saturday 9 to 12. You will find parking directly in front of the manufactory.

Contact

How to find us

Manufaktur Funke
Funke Kulinarik AG

Im Bad 3
9410 Heiden AR
Switzerland

Phone +41 71 571 45 45

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