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EveryMasala

Sharp and pungent

Mustard, horseradish, wasabi and black pepper: the bite that reaches the nose.

Pungent spices have a sharp, penetrating bite that reaches the nose and sinuses. Mustard, horseradish, wasabi, black pepper, ginger and garlic belong here.

What makes them pungent

Mustard, horseradish and wasabi make isothiocyanates when the plant is crushed, which creates a quick nose-clearing sting. Black pepper's piperine gives a more lasting bite. Ginger's gingerols and garlic's allicin give their own sharp edge.

How cooks use them

Mustard is used in Indian, German, French and English food, wasabi with Japanese raw fish, horseradish with roast beef, and pepper nearly everywhere. Pungency fades with heat or time, so many are added at the end.

Sensation

Pungent bite is different from chilli burn. It comes quickly, then fades, and does not linger on the tongue.

Sharp and pungent on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

PartSeedBarkRootFlowerFruitChilliLeafResinBulbStigmaBlendPasteSeasoning
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperSnacks and tea timeDrinksDesserts and sweetsStreet foodPickles and preservesFeasts and banquets
🇳🇬 NigeriaYaji A spicy rub from Nigeria made with chili, ginger, and ground peanuts.Blend · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep 🇮🇹 ItalyMostardamostarda di frutta A northern Italian condiment of candied fruit in a sharp mustard syrupBlend · Sweet and mellow · Sharp and pungent 🇮🇳 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 🇯🇵 JapanShichimi七味唐辛子 A Japanese seven-ingredient spice blend for finishing soups and noodlesBlend · Hot and fiery · Citrus and bright 🇮🇳 IndiaChaat masala A tangy Indian spice blend for savory snacks and fruit saladsBlend · Sour and tart · Sharp and pungent 🇪🇹 EthiopiaMitmitaሚጥሚጣ A fiery Ethiopian spice blend of bird's eye chilies, cardamom, and cloves.Blend · Hot and fiery · Warm and sweet-spiced 🇨🇳 ChinaMala麻辣 A fiery, tongue-numbing Chinese seasoning of Sichuan pepper and chilliesPaste · Hot and fiery · Numbing and tingling 🇬🇧 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

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

The weekly digest

Every Monday: seven spices you may not know, what is cooking this week, and one blend explained step by step.