#SpiceChat: monthly Twitter chat & blog roundup

Everybody is talking about everything on Twitter and I think it's time to add a little seasoning to the cyber conversation pot. Let's get together and chat about spices! Share your recipes, tips, obsessions, fears and confusions. As exotic and alluring as spices are they can be as equally mystifying and confusing. An hour of lightening-speed chatter is sure to inspire, entertain, and educate.

Please join @TableFare and @MySpiceSage for #SpiceChat the first Thursday* of each month from 4:00 to 5:00pm EST.

(* Well, it's usually the first Thursday. Sometimes we will shift it due to scheduling conflicts. Always check the box in the upper right corner of this page for the current schedule and topic!)

We wouldn't host a party without party favors. Two spice sampler packs from My Spice Sage will be randomly awarded to participants throughout the hour!

If you aren't on Twitter or can't make the live chat, you can still share your spicy wisdom, questions or links to related blog posts! Post them on either of our Facebook pages, shoot us an email, or send us a Twitter direct message.

We post a recap of comments and links after the chat so you can visit links you didn't manage to click on during the chat. Please join us and invite your friends. We look forward to chatting with you!

— Carol Peterman (tweeting as @TableFare) and Wendy Bobker (tweeting as @MySpiceSage)

What is a Twitter chat?

Here are some tips on participating in a Twitter chat for the uninitiated.

• The conversation flies by at lightning-fast speed and can seem impossible to track at times. You don't have to keep up with every single post to enjoy and participate. Jump in and respond to posts at your speed and let the rest go.
Helpful Resources
Get a Twitter account (free!)
Get a TweetChat account (free!)
• TweetChat is a very helpful program to use for chats because it allows you to only see the conversation for a particular hashtag filtering out other posts. Once you select a TweetChat room by typing in your hashtag (#SpiceChat) you will see every post using that hashtag regardless of whether or not you follow the Twitter user. Another handy feature is that TweetChat automatically includes #SpiceChat (or any # you happen to want to follow) in your posts. If you don't include "#SpiceChat" in your post, your comment won't be a part of our conversation. You can sign up for free at tweetchat.com.
• We will post questions for discussion and label them Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. It's much easier to follow the conversation when answering or commenting on a particular question if you being your post with A1, A2, A3 so everyone immediately knows which question you are responding to.
• It's nice if you post something at the beginning of the chat explaining what #SpiceChat is so your followers will know you are in a chat. This not only explains the comments you post being out of context, it also gives them the opportunity to join in. For example, "Getting ready to chat about cinnamon with other foodies & cooks. Use #SpiceChat to join in & follow the conversation."
• If you have recipes or articles you might want to share during the chat, it can be helpful to create a list of shortened links before the chat begins so it's quick and easy to share them at relevant points during the conversation.
• Jump in and respond to the questions, respond to each other and just have fun!

SpiceChat recaps

• Peppercorns (November 2, 2011)
• Bay Leaves (October 5, 2011)
• Vanilla Bean (September 7, 2011) Sorry, recap not available.
• Sesame Seeds (August 3, 2011)
• Basil (July 6, 2011)
• Chile Peppers (June 1, 2011)
• Caraway Seeds (May 4, 2011)
• Fennel Seeds (April 6, 2011)
• Coriander (March 2, 2011)
• Cinnamon (February 2, 2011)