"Unlocking the Flavor Secrets of Your Favorite Spices When it comes to cooking with dried spices, many home chefs and professional cooks alike have long observed that certain seasonings seem to shine when paired with rich, fatty ingredients like oil or butter. Now, a closer look at the science behind spice flavor reveals why this is the case. It turns out that many of the flavor compounds in dried spices are fat-soluble, allowing them to dissolve and release their aromatic properties more easily in oil or butter than in a watery base. This understanding can revolutionize the way we cook with spices, unlocking new depths of flavor in our favorite dishes."
Since many of the flavor compounds in dried spices are fat-soluble, these molecules release more easily into oil or butter than into a watery base.