In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “What are the common spices of the world?”. We will also list some of the different spices used all over the world. Moreover, we will also describe some of these commonly used spices in the world.
What are the different spices of the world?
There are so many different varieties of spices in the world with completely different flavors and aromas. Some of the commonly used spices in the world with their scientific names are listed below:
| Spice | Scientific name |
| Anise | Pimpinella anisum |
| Bay leaf | Laurus nobilis |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum |
| Allspice | Pimenta dioica |
| Black pepper | Piper nigrum |
| Cumin | Cuminum cyminum |
| Brown mustard | Brassica juncea |
| Caraway | Carum carvi |
| Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Celery seed | Apium graveolens |
| Chili pepper | Capsicum species |
| Chervil | Anthriscus cerefolium |
| Chives | Allium schoenoprasum |
| Coriander/cilantro | Coriandrum sativum |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum |
| Clove | Syzygium aromaticum |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale |
| Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra |
| Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare |
| Paprika | Capsicum annuum |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris |
| Turmeric | Curcuma longa |
What are the most commonly used spices in the world?
Allspice
It is made from the dried berries of the allspice tree and can be used in ground form or whole.
Once ground, allspice can quickly lose its flavors and aroma, so usually, it is used in its whole form while making stews, soups, and pickles.
Since allspice combines the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pepper, it can be easily used as a substitute for different warm spices.
Cardamom
It is popularly used as an aromatic spice in different cuisines, beverages, and bakery items. Cardamom is a perfect spice for both sweet as well as savory dishes.
Its unique and complex flavors make the perfect savory dish. It’s citrusy, minty, spicy, and herbal all at the same time, with a strong aroma as well. It is also known as the ”queen of spices”.
Do you know why cardamom is called the queen of spices? Find out here.
Cumin
Comino or cumin is a versatile spice that is widely used in the culinary world as well as for medicinal purposes. It is a staple spice used for varieties of dishes including soups, stews, curries, pickles, sauces, bakeries, etc.
Cumin has a warm and earthy flavor and aroma with a hint of bitterness. So make sure to use just the right amount of cumin so your dish doesn’t turn out to be bitter.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a traditional Indian spice popular for its rich flavor and color used for making different dishes. It comes from a flowering plant from the ginger family called Zingiberaceae. The rhizomes are dried to produce a yellow color powder. Turmeric has an earthy flavor, slightly bitter with a strong peppery flavor, and has a mustard-like scent and flavor.
Coriander/Cilantro
Coriander has a very nutty and lemony flavor with a floral aroma. It adds a bit of that tangy flavor to your recipes. Its mild flavors add a unique taste to your recipes without overpowering the other spices. While cilantro has a flavor that is both complex and delicate, with hints of pepper, mint, and lemon, the flavor of coriander is sweet and aromatic, with a hint of citrus.
Paprika
Paprika is a red pepper powder prepared from dried and ground peppers. Paprika is an easy ingredient that adds a hint of both sweetness and spiciness to your recipe. It improves practically any dish with its fruity, somewhat sweet, spicy aromas and vibrant red color. It gives a reddish color and spicy taste to make your food more attractive and flavorful.
Cloves
They are the aromatic dried flower buds of an evergreen tree native to eastern Indonesia. They are known as versatile spices that can be used in sweet as well as savory dishes. They look like small pins or nails and are dark brown.
They are a pungent warm spice with some sweet and bitter undertones. They can be used whole or in ground form and usually, both these forms of cloves are used differently.
Star anise
This is a star-shaped spice that is similar to anise, fennel, or licorice in taste. It has very strong, distinct warm, sweet, and spicy flavors. The flavor of star anise is generally considered sweet, but it is commonly used in savory dishes. It pairs well with citrus, onions, poultry, beef, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the query, “What are the common spices of the world?” We have also listed some of the different spices used all over the world. Moreover, we have also described some of these commonly used spices in the world.
Citations
https://www.britannica.com/science/nutraceutical
https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/top-spices-kitchen
