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
🇮🇳 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 4 moreNutmeg
The dried seed of a tropical tree, prized for its warm, pungent spice.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇮🇳 IndiaErode TurmericErodu Manjal
A Geographical Indication turmeric from Tamil Nadu with high curcumin content.Root · Earthy and deep · Bitter
🇮🇳 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
🇮🇳 IndiaKala masala
A dark roasted spice blend from Maharashtra used for everyday home cooking.Blend · Hot and fiery · 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 2 moreWild turmericKasthuri Manjal
A South Asian rhizome with a musky scent, used for colouring and skin care.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 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
🇯🇴 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
🇧🇩 Bangladesh and 2 morePanch phoronপাঁচ ফোড়ন
A Bengali blend of five whole seeds used to temper dishesBlend · Bitter · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇪🇹 EthiopiaMitmitaሚጥሚጣ
A fiery Ethiopian spice blend of bird's eye chilies, cardamom, and cloves.Blend · Hot and fiery · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇷 IranAdviehادویه
A fragrant blend of spices used to season rice and stews in Iranian cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇾🇪 Yemen and 1 moreHawaijحوايج
A ground Yemeni spice blend used for soups, coffee, and everyday cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇹🇳 TunisiaTabilتابل
A Tunisian blend of coriander, caraway, garlic, and chili used to season stews.Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇲🇽 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
🇯🇲 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
🇮🇳 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
🇲🇽 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
🇮🇳 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
🇮🇳 IndiaBafat
A coastal Indian spice blend for pork stews and meat dishesBlend · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep
🇮🇩 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
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreCumin
The dried seed of a small parsley-family herb, used whole or ground in many world cuisines.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Earthy and deep
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreGinger
The pungent rhizome of a flowering perennial, one of the world's most traded spices.Root · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreFenugreekحلبة (hilba)
The cuboid seed of an annual legume, prized for its bitter warmth and maple aroma.Seed · Bitter · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇲🇽 Mexico and 2 moreMexican oreganoorégano cimarrón
A fragrant shrub from the Americas, its leaves provide a thyme-like herbal note distinct from Mediterranean oregano.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent
🇬🇪 GeorgiaSvan saltსვანური მარილი
A moist, aromatic spice blend from the Georgian mountains, combining herbs with salt.Sharp and pungent · Earthy and deep
🇻🇳 Vietnam and 1 moreRice paddy herbngò ôm
A tropical aquatic herb with lemon-cumin notes, native to Southeast Asian rice fields.Leaf · Citrus and bright · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreSesame
The drought-hardy seed of a flowering plant, prized for its oil and nutty taste.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreIndian bay leafतेजपत्ता
The large, veined leaf of a Himalayan tree, used for its warm cassia scent in South Asian cooking.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sharp and pungent
🇺🇸 United StatesMrs. Burns' Lemon Basil
An heirloom sweet basil cultivar from New Mexico with intense lemon flavor and large leaves.Leaf · Citrus and bright · Floral and perfumed
🇹🇷 Turkey and 5 moreBay Laurelδάφνη
The dried leaf of a Mediterranean evergreen, used to infuse slow-cooked dishes with herbal depth.Sharp and pungent · Bitter
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreCubeb
The dried fruit of a climbing vine, known for its long tail and sharp taste.Fruit · Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇪🇹 Ethiopia and 4 moreKorarima
The dried seeds of a wild ginger relative, essential to Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Citrus and bright
🇨🇳 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
🇮🇩 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
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau and 5 moreCalabash nutmeg
The dried seed of a West African tree, used as a local substitute for nutmeg.Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
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
- Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Clove: Bayu Nugroho, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Allspice: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5, source
- Indian bay leaf: Sonja Pauen, Public domain, source
- Ras el hanout: Sarefo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Recado rojo: Paul Goyette, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Berbere: Badagnani, CC BY 3.0, source
- Khmeli suneli: А. Кабанов, CC0, source
- Turmeric: J.M.Garg, CC BY 3.0, source
- Mitmita: Caffe Vita, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hoja santa: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, source
- Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source
- Hawaij: Mx. Granger, CC0, source
- Cumin: Sanjay Acharya, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Vadouvan: Fornax, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Erode Turmeric: Sivaranjani, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mexican oregano: Dick Culbert, CC BY 2.0, source
- Herbes de Provence: Unknown author, CC BY 2.0, source
- Curry paste: Ryan Snyder, CC BY 2.0, source
- Wild turmeric: goldentakin, CC BY 2.0, source
- Curry powder: Slick, CC0, source
- Greater galangal: Raffi Kojian, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Long pepper: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Garam masala: Miansari66, Public domain, source
- Ginger: Venkatx5, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Fenugreek: Yak, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Korarima: Joe Castleman ( Gyrofrog ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Svan salt: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0, source
- Rice paddy herb: Emilia Murray, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Sesame: Anna Frodesiak, CC0, source
- Basil: Castielli, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Bay Laurel: Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us, source
- Cubeb: Kembangraps, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Montreal steak seasoning: Laurent Bélanger, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Calabash nutmeg: Samuel Curtis and William Jackson Hooker, Public domain, source
- Lovage: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Thyme: Evan-Amos, CC0, source