Spices are the strongly flavoured or aromatic parts of
plants used in
food as a
preservative or flavouring in
cooking. One notable exception is salt, a
mineral that is usually considered a spice. Many spices were formerly used in
medicine, though this use has decreased somewhat in later years.
Spices were some of the most valuable items of trade in the ancient and medieval world.
Individual spices (not including herbs, [aromatic vegetable]?s, and dried fruits used for similar purposes):
- [Ajowan seed]? (Ajwain, Carom)
- Allspice?
- [Anise seed]? (and [Star anise]?)
- [Annato seed]? (Achiote)
- Asafoetida?
- [Caraway seed]?
- Cardamom?
- [Celery seed]?
- Cinnamon? (and Cassia?)
- Cloves?
- Coriander seed
- Cubeb?
- Cumin
- [Dill seed]?
- [Fennel seed]?
- [Fenugreek seed]?
- Ginger? (and Galangal?)
- Horseradish?
- [Mustard seed]?
- Nigella? (Kolanji, Black caraway)
- Nutmeg? (and Mace?)
- Paprika?
- Pepper? (and relatives)
- [Poppy seed]?
- Saffron?
- [Sesame seed]?
- Salt
- Sumac?
- Tamarind?
- Turmeric
- Vanilla
- Wasabi
- Zedoary? (Amb halad)
Common spice mixtures: