In stocks, what is a sachet d'épices used for?

• A. A spice bag containing aromatics used to flavor stock, then removed.
• B. To color the stock.
• C. To thicken the stock.
• D. To speed evaporation.

Answer: (A)

Flavor infusion is the goal when building a stock with aromatics. A sachet d'épices is a small bundle of spices and aromatics wrapped in cheesecloth or placed in a fine bag. It is added to the stock at the start of simmering to impart fragrance and flavor evenly; once the stock has reached the desired taste, the sachet is removed to prevent over-extraction and clouding. This keeps the liquid clear and makes seasoning more predictable. Typical contents include bay leaf, peppercorns, thyme, parsley stems, and sometimes garlic or cloves. It’s not used to color the stock, thicken it, or speed evaporation—those effects come from other techniques or ingredients, not from the spice bag.