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EveryMasala

Fruits and berries

Black pepper, allspice, star anise, juniper, sumac and tamarind: dried fruit that carries the flavour.

A star: eight boat-shaped pods round a hub, each holding a glossy seed. The shape of star anise.

Fruit spices are dried fruits used for their sour, sweet or aromatic flesh and seeds. Black pepper, allspice, tamarind, sumac, star anise and vanilla are all in this group.

What they are

Black pepper is a dried berry, allspice is an unripe berry, star anise is a star-shaped fruit and vanilla is the cured pod of an orchid. Sumac is the dried berry of a shrub, and tamarind is the pulp of a pod. The fruit holds both oils and acids that give flavour.

How they are used

Peppercorns are cracked or ground, tamarind is soaked into pulp for sour curries and chutneys, sumac is sprinkled on meat and salad for tang, and vanilla pods are split to flavour milk and cream. Star anise lends a licorice note to broths and braises.

Buying and keeping

Keep whole fruits in closed jars. Vanilla pods should be supple and oily. Tamarind keeps well as a block. Ground fruit spices lose aroma quickly, so grind them as needed.

Fruit on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

FlavourHot and fieryWarm and sweet-spicedSweet and mellowEarthy and deepCitrus and brightSharp and pungentSmokyFloral and perfumedBitterAnise and liquoriceSour and tartSavoury and umamiNumbing and tinglingHerbal and green
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperSnacks and tea timeDrinksDesserts and sweetsStreet foodPickles and preservesFeasts and banquets
馃嚠馃嚦 India and 4 moreFennel The anise-scented seeds and crisp bulb of a Mediterranean perennial herbSeed 路 Anise and liquorice 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚞馃嚟 Ghana and 5 moreGrains of Selimdiarr The dried fruit of a West African shrub, used as a peppery spice and coffee flavouring.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Bitter 馃嚘馃嚭 AustraliaBush tomatokutjera The dried fruit of a native Australian nightshade shrub, traditionally eaten by Aboriginal peoples.Fruit 路 Sweet and mellow 路 Earthy and deep 馃嚨馃嚫 Palestine and 4 moreGreek sage A hairy Mediterranean shrub with pink flowers and edible fruit galls.Leaf 路 Herbal and green 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚥馃嚱 Mexico and 5 moreHabanero A very hot chili cultivar with a floral aroma, native to the Amazon and grown in Mexico.Fruit 路 Hot and fiery 路 Floral and perfumed 馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesia and 2 moreLong pepper The dried fruit spike of a climbing vine native to Java, once the world's standard heat.Fruit 路 Hot and fiery 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚨馃嚜 Peru and 3 morePink peppercornbaie rose The dried fruit of Schinus trees, offering a sweet, piney heat distinct from black pepper.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Citrus and bright 馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica and 2 moreAllspice The dried green berry of a tropical tree, named for its blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove notes.Fruit 路 Warm and sweet-spiced 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚨馃嚜 Peru and 3 morePink peppercornmulli The dried pink drupes of the Schinus molle tree, sold as a peppery alternative to black pepper.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Citrus and bright 馃嚞馃嚪 GreeceFlorina pepper蟺喂蟺蔚蟻喂维 桅位蠅蟻委谓畏蟼 A sweet, horn-shaped red pepper from northern Greece with Protected Designation of Origin status.Fruit 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚫馃嚛 Sudan and 5 moreTamarind The sweet and sour pulp of a tropical tree pod used in sauces and drinks.Fruit 路 Sweet and mellow 路 Sour and tart 馃嚬馃嚟 Thailand and 5 moreKaffir lime喔∴赴喔佮福喔灌笖 The bumpy-skinned citrus fruit and double-leafed shrub of Southeast AsiaFruit 路 Citrus and bright 路 Sharp and pungent 馃嚥馃嚱 Mexico and 5 moreCapsicum annuum A flowering plant producing berries of many colors and heat levels, from sweet bell peppers to fiery chilies.Fruit 路 Hot and fiery 路 Sweet and mellow 馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesia and 3 moreCubeb The dried fruit of a climbing vine, known for its long tail and sharp taste.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Warm and sweet-spiced 馃嚠馃嚦 India and 5 moreBlack pepper The dried fruit of a climbing vine, the world's most traded spice.Fruit 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery

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.