Earthy and deep spices

Earthy spices have a deep, savoury, slightly dusty flavour. Cumin, turmeric, coriander seed, fenugreek and black cardamom give food a rounded, grounded base.

What makes them earthy

Cumin contains cuminaldehyde, a warm, musky compound. Turmeric tastes of soil, ginger and a little bitterness. Black cardamom adds smoke and camphor. They hold the flavour together under brighter spices.

How cooks use them

They form the base of curry powders, chilli, tagines, falafel and many bean dishes. They are usually cooked in oil early, to remove rawness, and are often combined with sweeter or more sour notes.

Cautions

Overuse can make food taste muddy. A small pinch of a brighter spice, such as coriander or lemon, restores balance.

Earthy and deep on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

PartSeed Bark Root Flower Fruit Chilli Leaf Resin Bulb Stigma Blend Paste Seasoning

MealBreakfast Lunch Dinner Supper Snacks and tea time Drinks Desserts and sweets Street food Pickles and preserves Feasts and banquets

🇳🇬 NigeriaYaji A spicy rub from Nigeria made with chili, ginger, and ground peanuts.Blend · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep

🇮🇳 India and 3 moreGaram masalaगरम मसाला A ground blend of warm spices from the Indian subcontinent used to finish curries and stews.Blend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent

🇮🇳 India and 4 moreCurry powder A Western adaptation of Indian spice blends for cooking sauces and stews.Blend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep

🇱🇧 Lebanon and 5 moreZa'atarزَعْتَر A Levantine blend of dried herbs, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt used in breads and dips.Blend · Earthy and deep · Citrus and bright

🇯🇵 JapanShichimi七味唐辛子 A Japanese seven-ingredient spice blend for finishing soups and noodlesBlend · Hot and fiery · Citrus and bright

🇬🇪 GeorgiaKhmeli suneliხმელი სუნელი A flexible Georgian blend of dried herbs and seeds for stews and meats.Blend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep

🇪🇹 EthiopiaMitmitaሚጥሚጣ A fiery Ethiopian spice blend of bird's eye chilies, cardamom, and cloves.Blend · Hot and fiery · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇧🇩 Bangladesh and 2 morePanch phoronপাঁচ ফোড়ন A Bengali blend of five whole seeds used to temper dishesBlend · Bitter · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreMixed spice A British blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for sweet bakingBlend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow 🇮🇳 IndiaBafat A coastal Indian spice blend for pork stews and meat dishesBlend · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep

🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreIndonesian cinnamon A strong, affordable bark from Sumatra used as a common spice and oil source.Bark · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent

Earthy and deep