Seasoning v/s Flavoring

Seasoning and flavoring are two different things which are often confused with one another with regard to food. Though, technically both these things are quite different from each other. At times both these things are used together in a recipe but nevertheless, they do differ from one another in a number of ways. Have a look:

Definitions

Seasoning exclusively refers to the enhancement of food's natural flavor i.e. Salt.

Flavoring on the other hand refers to the introduction of a new flavor in a food item by altering or modifying that particular food's original flavor. Flavorings like alcohols, acids or fresh herbs often require cooking for rendering its basic attributes to the food and altering its form and flavor.

Comparison

A particular section of chefs are of the opinion that the process of cooking should be known as seasoning because it tends to enhance the food's natural flavors, on the contrary, others say that by changing the moisture content and temperature of a food item one is actually, altering it's basic interpretation, hence, making the cooking method indirectly a flavoring. Thus, the difference between the two can be so understood that, taste testing is the testing of seasoning. One can add the seasoning even after cooking to avoid blandness while flavorings require a continued application of heat for providing the flavor into a dish.

Tips

Take a look at the seasoning and flavoring tips below:

• Make sure you don't add too much of seasoning to liquid that has to be reduced or cooked down while making. It is so because the flavors tend to become all the more concentrated as they reduce in volume.
• Adding salt to black beans, kidney or pinto before cooking can toughen their skin, hence, it should be avoided by all means.
• Avoid cooking a food item too much as it ultimately ends in loss of nutritional value, flavor and texture.