Copius
Quatre-épices, drawn for Copius

Quatre-épices

Quatre-épices

Latin nameMélange français
FamilySpices
OriginFrance
Season (France)All year
FlavourWarm · Peppery · Sweet · Woody
Typical price (France)20–45 €/kg

What it is

White pepper, nutmeg, clove and ginger — the charcutier's blend, and it is what makes a French terrine or a boudin taste French rather than merely of pork. It is one of the few classical blends that is savoury rather than sweet.

In the kitchen

Pepper should dominate, not clove. If yours smells mainly of clove it is out of balance and will overwhelm a pâté.

Goes with

Pork Foie gras Onion Bay leaf Thyme Lard Beef Black pepper

Same species

Colombo powder

Also used with

Pork liver

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