About Us
Welcome to Gwen’s Blends!
At Gwen’s Blends, we have tried to recreate some of life’s finest spice blends, as well as create new custom flavor blends. Whether you are a novice or a Master Chef, these spice blends can help you create gourmet meals to enjoy and share.
We offer a range of flavors from all corners of the world. Scroll down and look through the store to see the full menu.
The Journey
In late 2020, when most of the world was fighting COVID19, I was fighting another disease, addiction. Sitting in a rehab center, it occurred to me that if I was going to succeed in my sobriety, I needed to find a joy greater than the high of the drugs and alcohol. I needed to find a happy place that nourished, not depleted my soul. I realized that the joy of creating and sharing food might just be more powerful than the drugs. My happy place was the kitchen.
Sharing food is one of the most basic, enduring, and heartwarming ways that we show love. Be it friend or stranger, there is nothing that says you care about someone more than feeding them. And nothing more nourishing to your own soul than knowing you have nourished another’s.
We all have memories associated with tastes and smells. Whether it is the smell of soup simmering on the stove on a cold winter’s day, the smell of chocolate chip cookies cooling on the counter, the smoky aroma drifting from a grill or campfire, or the enticing wisps of cinnamon drifting up from the kitchen on a Sunday morning, those memories are strong and can take us back in an instant.
The warm memories combined with the chance to be a mad scientist, experimenting with new flavors and combinations has always drawn me to the kitchen, my happy place. Starting with infused oils and vinegars, I graduated to playing with herbs and spices, expanding my palate, and learning the nuances of various combinations. Like how a little bit of cinnamon in a Bolognese can make all the other flavors just pop, or how a little bit of cayenne can make way more of an impression than a whole lot does. Subtlety is essential for coaxing the most out of your food.
From my initial attempts with the infusions, I moved on to develop my signature blend, Gwen’s Meat Rub. Smoky with a little bit of heat and a pop of something a little unexpected, it was the beginning of defining my own personal food style. I have carried that style throughout the rest of my blends. Starting with traditional recipes and finding that something unexpected that makes it personal.
Whether you prefer the subtle, herbal flavors of European cuisines, the deep rich flavors of the Middle Eastern regions or the tangy spicy flavors of Latin America (or all of the above), I think you will find something in our offerings to tempt your palate. Let Gwen’s Blends help you make the kitchen one of your happy places.
Join us on a journey of adventure, exploration, memory, good food and, most of all, fun
Enjoy,
Gwen