Bitter
Fenugreek, nigella and turmeric's edge: a bitterness that balances richness.
Bitter spices have a sharp, drying edge that balances sweetness and fat. Fenugreek, nigella, turmeric, mace and some peppers carry bitterness.
What makes them bitter
Fenugreek's bitterness comes from compounds in the seed that mellow when toasted. Turmeric and nigella have mild bitter notes, and many leafy herbs and dried citrus peels are bitter.
How cooks use them
A little bitterness gives complexity. Fenugreek is used in Indian pickles and curries, in Ethiopian berbere and in Yemeni saltah. Nigella seeds top naan and bread, and bitter notes balance rich dishes.
Tips
Toast fenugreek lightly, as scorching makes it harsh. Balance bitter spices with sweet, sour or fatty ingredients.
Bitter on EveryMasala
The spices written up so far, best known first.
馃嚧馃嚥 Oman and 3 moreDried lime
Sun-dried limes from the Persian Gulf, used whole or ground to add sour depth to Middle Eastern dishes.Fruit 路 Sour and tart 路 Earthy and deep
馃嚦馃嚞 Nigeria and 3 moreAshanti pepper
The dried fruit of a climbing vine, used for its fresh, herbaceous heat in West African stews.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Bitter
馃嚬馃嚟 Thailand and 5 moreKaffir lime喔∴赴喔佮福喔灌笖
The bumpy-skinned citrus fruit and double-leafed shrub of Southeast AsiaFruit 路 Citrus and bright 路 Sharp and pungent
馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesia and 3 moreCubeb
The dried fruit of a climbing vine, known for its long tail and sharp taste.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Warm and sweet-spiced
馃嚚馃嚦 China and 1 moreChenpi闄崇毊
Sun-dried mandarin orange peel aged for use in Chinese cooking and medicineFruit 路 Sweet and mellow 路 Sharp and pungent
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Ashanti pepper: User:Fornax, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chenpi: Dboxes, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kaffir lime: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Dried lime: Theinfo, CC BY 3.0, source
- Cubeb: Kembangraps, CC BY-SA 3.0, source