The Nutmeg Trail

By Eleanor Ford, Murdoch Books, $55

What’s in it: Exotic and diverse spice-infused recipes that take us on a journey of flavour and context in this delve into how ancient spice routes changed the world’s cuisines and the foods we eat today. Why buy it: To learn the flavour profile of spices: how some bring pungency, others fragrance, sweetness, sourness or earthiness; and how to choose, store, combine, layer and enjoy spices.