Warm and sweet-spiced
Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and allspice: the warmth of baking and mulled drinks.
Warm spices, such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, give a sweet, deep, comforting aroma that is more about scent than heat.
What makes them warm
The flavour comes from compounds such as cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon, eugenol in clove and allspice, and myristicin in nutmeg. They are not hot like chilli, but they give a feeling of warmth to the nose and mouth.
How cooks use them
They go into baked goods, mulled wine and cider, chai, garam masala, Moroccan tagines and Middle Eastern rice dishes. Sweet and savoury cooking both use them, often together with a little salt.
Seasons and customs
Many cultures link warm spices with winter and festivals, from Christmas gingerbread and mince pies to Indian chai and Persian winter stews. They are used in small amounts, as nutmeg and clove can overpower.
Warm and sweet-spiced on EveryMasala
The spices written up so far, best known first.
🇮🇳 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
🇮🇳 India and 4 moreBasil
A tender culinary herb with glossy leaves and a licorice-like aroma, native to tropical Asia.Leaf · Anise and liquorice · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreNutmeg
The dried seed of a tropical evergreen tree, prized for its warm, pungent flavor.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreCardamom
Aromatic seeds from spindle-shaped pods used in sweet and savory dishes across Asia and the Middle East.Seed · Sharp and pungent · 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
🇲🇽 MexicoMulato pepper
A dried Mexican chilli with notes of chocolate and licoriceSweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 IndiaErode TurmericErodu Manjal
A Geographical Indication turmeric from Tamil Nadu with high curcumin content.Root · Earthy and deep · Bitter
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreWild turmericKasthuri Manjal
A South Asian rhizome with a musky scent, used for colouring and skin care.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 IndiaKala masala
A dark roasted spice blend from Maharashtra used for everyday home cooking.Blend · Hot and fiery · 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
🇱🇰 Sri LankaThuna pahaතුන පහ
A Sri Lankan unroasted curry powder made from cumin, fennel, and coriander seeds.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent
🇮🇳 India and 4 moreCurry paste
A blended mixture of spices and aromatics used as the base for curries in Asia.Warm and sweet-spiced · 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
🇦🇫 Afghanistan and 5 moreLovageлюбисток
A tall European herb with celery-like leaves and spicy seeds used in soups and broths.Leaf · Sharp and pungent · Herbal and green
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreGreater galangalข่า
The pungent rhizome of a ginger relative, essential in Southeast Asian soups and curries.Root · Sharp and pungent · Citrus and bright
🇮🇳 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
🇲🇦 Morocco and 2 moreRas el hanoutرأس الحانوت
A complex Maghrebi spice blend meaning 'head of the shop', used in savory dishes across North Africa.Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇪🇹 Ethiopia and 1 moreBerbereበርበሬ (bärbäre)
A complex Ethiopian spice blend built on chili peppers, coriander, and ginger.Hot and fiery · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇫🇷 France and 3 moreHerbes de Provenceèrbas de Provença
A dried herb blend from southwestern France, now a global kitchen staple.Warm and sweet-spiced · Herbal and green
🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreThyme
The dried leaves of a Mediterranean mint-family herb, used to perfume stews and baths alike.Leaf · Earthy and deep · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 IndiaChaat masala
A tangy Indian spice blend for savory snacks and fruit saladsBlend · Sour and tart · Sharp and pungent
🇯🇴 Jordan and 5 moreBaharatبهارات
A versatile Middle Eastern spice blend used to season meats and soups.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent
🇬🇪 GeorgiaKhmeli suneliხმელი სუნელი
A flexible Georgian blend of dried herbs and seeds for stews and meats.Blend · Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 2 moreLong pepper
The dried fruit spike of a climbing vine native to Java, once the world's standard heat.Fruit · Hot and fiery · 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
🇧🇩 Bangladesh and 2 morePanch phoronপাঁচ ফোড়ন
A Bengali blend of five whole seeds used to temper dishesBlend · Bitter · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇾🇪 Yemen and 1 moreHawaijحوايج
A ground Yemeni spice blend used for soups, coffee, and everyday cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇮🇷 IranAdviehادویه
A fragrant blend of spices used to season rice and stews in Iranian cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇹🇳 TunisiaTabilتابل
A Tunisian blend of coriander, caraway, garlic, and chili used to season stews.Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇯🇲 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
🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreRecado rojo
A red-orange paste of annatto and spices used to marinate meats in Yucatán cuisine.Earthy and deep · Sharp and pungent
🇬🇧 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 StatesPumpkin pie spice
A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves used in American autumn baking.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
🇮🇳 IndiaVadouvan
A French-Indian spice blend combining dried aromatics with ground seedsWarm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇹🇳 TunisiaQâlat daqqaقلات دقة
A Tunisian blend of five warm spices used to season meats and vegetablesWarm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇨🇦 CanadaMontreal steak seasoning
A dry rub of garlic, pepper, and dill for grilling meat, born in Montreal delis.Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 IndiaBlack turmeric
A blue-skinned rhizome from northeast India, boiled and dried for its camphor scent.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇨🇳 China and 2 moreChinese cassia
The thick-barked spice tree of southern China, yielding a bold and sweet bark used in cooking and medicine.Bark · Sweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 4 moreClove
The dried flower bud of a tropical tree, prized for its intense warmth and numbing bite.Flower · Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇻🇳 VietnamHúng lìu
A Vietnamese spice blend of cinnamon, star anise, and clove for roasted meatsWarm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇮🇩 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
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreTurmericहल्दी
The dried rhizome of a tropical ginger relative, prized for its golden color and earthy bite.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced · Bitter
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreGalangal
The pungent rhizome of the ginger family, essential to Southeast Asian soups and pastes.Root · Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreHoja santa
The large, heart-shaped leaf of a Mexican pepper plant, used to wrap and flavor food.Anise and liquorice · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇻🇳 Vietnam and 1 moreSaigon cinnamonquế Trà My, quế Thanh, quế Quỳ, quế Trà Bồng
A potent bark from central Vietnam with a complex aroma and high coumarin content.Bark · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent
🇨🇳 China and 4 moreLesser galangal高良薑
An aromatic Asian rhizome with orange flesh and a sweet, gentle spiceRoot · Sweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Panch phoron: Wiki-uk, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chinese cassia: Itineranttrader, Public domain, source
- Curry powder: Slick, CC0, source
- Clove: Bayu Nugroho, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Allspice: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5, source
- Cinnamon: Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Recado rojo: Paul Goyette, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ras el hanout: Sarefo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Indonesian cinnamon: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, source
- Long pepper: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Berbere: Badagnani, CC BY 3.0, source
- Khmeli suneli: А. Кабанов, CC0, source
- Turmeric: J.M.Garg, CC BY 3.0, source
- Montreal steak seasoning: Laurent Bélanger, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Vadouvan: Fornax, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mixed spice: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Hoja santa: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, source
- Saigon cinnamon: Sykes, Bill, CC BY 4.0, source
- Pumpkin pie spice: Stephen Witherden, CC BY 2.0, source
- Mitmita: Caffe Vita, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hawaij: Mx. Granger, CC0, source
- Ceylon cinnamon: NickCT, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Curry paste: Ryan Snyder, CC BY 2.0, source
- Wild turmeric: goldentakin, CC BY 2.0, source
- Vanilla: Everglades National Park, Public domain, source
- Mulato pepper: Glane23, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Erode Turmeric: Sivaranjani, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Greater galangal: Raffi Kojian, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Garam masala: Miansari66, Public domain, source
- Herbes de Provence: Unknown author, CC BY 2.0, source
- Chaat masala: Khurram Shehzad / Flickr user: Lekum's ( https://www.flickr.com/photos, CC BY 2.0, source
- Cinnamon sugar: Ed! ( Photography Gallery ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Thyme: Evan-Amos, CC0, source
- Black turmeric: Ramesh Raju, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cardamom: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Basil: Castielli, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lovage: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source