Sweet and mellow

Vanilla, liquorice, paprika and fennel: soft, round and gentle.

Sweet spices carry a natural sweetness and are used in desserts and drinks. Vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, liquorice and fennel seed are among them.

What makes them sweet

Vanilla owes its character to vanillin, cinnamon to cinnamaldehyde, and anise and fennel to anethole. These compounds smell sweet, and the brain reads sweetness from the smell, so a vanilla scent can make a dish taste sweeter without more sugar.

How cooks use them

They flavour custards, ice creams, biscuits, milk puddings, sweet rice and drinks. In South Asia, cardamom perfumes kheer and tea, in the Middle East rose water and mastic flavour sweets, and in the Americas vanilla and cinnamon appear in chocolate and cakes.

Pairings

Sweet spices also work in savoury food, such as cinnamon in a meat stew or fennel in sausages. They pair well with citrus, nuts and dairy.

Sweet and mellow 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

🇮🇳 India and 4 moreFennel The anise-scented seeds and crisp bulb of a Mediterranean perennial herbSeed · Anise and liquorice · Sweet and mellow

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka and 5 moreCinnamon The dried inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, prized for its sweet warmth and essential oil.Bark · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇮🇩 Indonesia and 4 moreNutmeg The dried seed of a tropical tree, prized for its warm, pungent spice.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇷🇺 Russia and 4 moreTarragon A slender perennial herb with anise-scented leaves, prized in French and Middle Eastern cooking.Leaf · Anise and liquorice · Sweet and mellow

🇪🇸 SpainChoricero pepperspimiento choricero A dried red pepper from Spain used to make rich stews and sauces.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Smoky

🇨🇳 ChinaYongfeng chili sauce永丰辣酱 A fermented paste of peppers, rice and wheat from Hunan province, one of the region's three treasures.Paste · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow

🇹🇭 Thailand and 4 moreBenzoin resin A sweet balsamic tree resin used in incense, perfumes, and traditional medicine.Resin · Sweet and mellow

🇲🇽 MexicoMulato pepper A dried Mexican chilli with notes of chocolate and licoriceSweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka and 3 moreCeylon cinnamon The inner bark of a Sri Lankan evergreen, prized for its delicate, sweet spice.Bark · Sweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇲🇽 Mexico and 2 moreVanilla The cured fruit of a climbing orchid, the world's primary source of vanilla flavouringSweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreGingermint A sterile mint hybrid grown for essential oil and chewing gum flavour.Herbal and green · Sweet and mellow 🇮🇱 IsraelNufar basil A sweet basil variety bred in Israel to resist a deadly fungal wilt disease.Leaf · Sweet and mellow

🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreShishito pepper獅子唐辛子 (Shishitōgarashi) A slender East Asian chili that is mostly mild with occasional spicy surprises.Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery

🇦🇺 AustraliaBush tomatokutjera The dried fruit of a native Australian nightshade shrub, traditionally eaten by Aboriginal peoples.Fruit · Sweet and mellow · Earthy and deep

🇲🇽 Mexico and 4 moreVanilla The cured seed pods of a climbing orchid, the world's second-most expensive spice by weight.Fruit · Sweet and mellow · Floral and perfumed

🇦🇺 AustraliaWattleseed The edible seed of Australian Acacia trees, traditionally ground into flour by Aboriginal Australians.Seed · Sweet and mellow · Earthy and deep

🇮🇳 IndiaChammanthi podi A dry coconut and spice condiment from Kerala that preserves fresh chutney for months.Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep

🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 moreAnnatto The orange-red pigment from achiote seeds used as a natural food coloring and mild spice.Seed · Earthy and deep · Sweet and mellow 🇸🇰 SlovakiaPaprika Žitava A sweet red spice from Slovakia's Danubian Lowland, ground with a special stone to release its colour.Seed · Sweet and mellow

🇲🇽 MexicoPineapple sage A Mexican shrub with leaves that smell of pineapple and flowers that feed hummingbirdsLeaf · Citrus and bright · Sweet and mellow

🇮🇳 IndiaKewraकेवड़ा A fragrant essential oil distilled from the male flowers of the screwpine plant.Resin · Sweet and mellow · Floral and perfumed

🇮🇹 ItalyMostardamostarda di frutta A northern Italian condiment of candied fruit in a sharp mustard syrupBlend · Sweet and mellow · Sharp and pungent

🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 morePaprika A red powder made from dried Capsicum annuum peppers, used to colour and flavour dishes across Europe and the Middle EasSeed · Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery

🇮🇳 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

🇺🇸 United StatesCarolina Reaper A gnarled red cultivar of Capsicum chinense bred in South Carolina for extreme heat.Chilli · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow

🇯🇵 JapanGariガリ Thinly sliced young ginger pickled in sweet vinegar, served with sushi.Sweet and mellow · Sour and tart

🇹🇷 Turkey and 2 moreMahleb A ground cherry seed used to sweeten Middle Eastern baked goods with an almond-cherry note.Seed · Sweet and mellow · Bitter 🇯🇴 Jordan and 5 moreBaharatبهارات A versatile Middle Eastern spice blend used to season meats and soups.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent

🇹🇭 Thailand and 3 moreThai basilโหระพา A Southeast Asian herb with purple stems and anise notes, used in curries and soups.Leaf · Anise and liquorice · Hot and fiery

🇵🇪 Peru and 3 morePink peppercornbaie rose The dried fruit of Schinus trees, offering a sweet, piney heat distinct from black pepper.Fruit · Sharp and pungent · Citrus and bright

🇸🇾 Syria and 1 moreAleppo pepperفلفل حلبي A moderately spicy, fruity flake from Syria and Turkey, named for the city of Aleppo.Chilli · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow

🇫🇷 France and 1 moreEspelette pepperpiment d'Espelette A mild Basque chili with sweet, fruity notes and protected origin status.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery 🇮🇷 IranAdviehادویه A fragrant blend of spices used to season rice and stews in Iranian cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 morePoblano A mild Mexican chili pepper that becomes the dried ancho when mature.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery

🇮🇳 IndiaAmchoorआमचूर A sour powder made from dried unripe green mangoes, used to add tang to Indian dishes.Seed · Sour and tart · Citrus and bright

🇯🇲 Jamaica and 2 moreAllspice The dried green berry of a tropical tree, named for its blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove notes.Fruit · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreMixed spice A British blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for sweet bakingBlend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreCinnamon sugar A simple blend of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar used to sweeten and spice desserts.Sweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇺🇸 United StatesPumpkin pie spice A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves used in American autumn baking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇰🇷 South KoreaBamboo salt죽염 Sea salt baked nine times in bamboo stems and pine fire, a Korean condiment and traditional remedy.Seasoning · Sweet and mellow

🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreFresno chile A medium-sized Capsicum annuum cultivar with a conical shape and bright red skin.Chilli · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow

🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreNew Mexico chilechile de Nuevo México A cultivar group of Capsicum annuum from New Mexico, valued for its smoky flavor and range of heat levels.Sharp and pungent · Sweet and mellow

🇹🇷 TurkeyUrfa biber A sun-dried and night-wrapped chili from Turkey with a smoky, raisin-like taste.Chilli · Smoky · Sweet and mellow

🇻🇪 Venezuela and 5 moreAjí dulce A mild, sweet perennial pepper from the Caribbean and Latin America, used as a seasoning base.Chilli · Smoky · Sweet and mellow 🇹🇳 TunisiaQâlat daqqaقلات دقة A Tunisian blend of five warm spices used to season meats and vegetablesWarm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow

🇧🇷 Brazil and 2 moreBishop's crown A wrinkled, three-sided Capsicum baccatum cultivar with mild heat and a sweet flavor.Chilli · Sweet and mellow

🇵🇪 Peru and 1 moreAjí panca A mild, fruity Peruvian chili used for its deep red color and sun-dried flavor.Chilli · Sweet and mellow

🇵🇪 Peru and 5 moreCapsicum baccatumají A domesticated Andean chili with fruit that hangs down, known for its bright orange skin and warm heat.Hot and fiery · Citrus and bright

Photo credits on this page

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

Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Mulato pepper: Glane23, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Ceylon cinnamon: NickCT, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Mahleb: Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, Public domain, source
Gari: DoWhile, Public domain, source
Yongfeng chili sauce: Elena0100, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Bamboo salt: Marcela ( talk ), GFDL 1.2, source
Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source
Allspice: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5, source
Ají dulce: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Capsicum baccatum: Retama, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Pumpkin pie spice: Stephen Witherden, CC BY 2.0, source
Mixed spice: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Wattleseed: division, CSIRO, CC BY 3.0, source
Chammanthi podi: Ranjithsiji, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Annatto: Porto Neto, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Pineapple sage: Eric Hunt, CC BY 2.5, source
Kewra: Miansari66, Public domain, source
Mostarda: Silvio, CC BY 2.0, source
Thai basil: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Vanilla: Everglades National Park, Public domain, source
Garam masala: Miansari66, Public domain, source
Vanilla: Malcolm Manners, CC BY 2.0, source
Cinnamon sugar: Ed! ( Photography Gallery ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Pink peppercorn: Milvus, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
New Mexico chile: vxla, CC BY 2.0, source
Amchoor: Miansari66, Public domain, source
Fresno chile: Nadiatalent, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Bush tomato: Mark Marathon, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Espelette pepper: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Aleppo pepper: Badagnani, CC BY 3.0, source
Ají panca: MiguelAlanCS, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Shishito pepper: Sotaque, CC0, source
Poblano: stef yau, CC BY 2.0, source
Cinnamon: Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Gingermint: SEWilco, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Carolina Reaper: Dale Thurber, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Paprika: Takkk, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Tarragon: KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Choricero peppers: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Benzoin resin: Wibowo Djatmiko ( Wie146 ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Urfa biber: Fornax, CC BY-SA 3.0, source