Seeds
Cumin, coriander, mustard, fennel, nigella and sesame: small and hard, toasted whole or ground fresh.
Seeds are the most common form of spice. Cumin, coriander, mustard, fennel, fenugreek, nigella and sesame are all seeds, kept whole for months and ground or toasted when needed.
What they are
A spice seed is the dried ripe seed of a plant, often from the carrot, mustard or legume families. Some, such as cumin and fennel, are really dry fruits that hold a seed, but they are sold and used as seeds. Their oils sit inside a hard coat, which is why whole seeds keep their aroma well.
How they are used
Cooks toast seeds in a dry pan, fry them in hot oil or ghee in a tempering, or grind them into powder. Mustard seeds pop in hot oil, cumin turns nutty, and coriander becomes sweeter when toasted. Seeds are also pressed for oil, as with mustard and sesame.
Buying and keeping
Buy whole seeds and grind small amounts. Keep them in a closed jar away from light and heat. They keep their character for a year or more, while ground seed fades within months. A good seed smells strong when rubbed between the fingers.
Seed on EveryMasala
The spices written up so far, best known first.
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
馃嚘馃嚬 Austria and 5 moreCaraway
The crescent-shaped fruit of a carrot-family herb, used to flavour breads and spirits.Seed 路 Anise and liquorice 路 Sharp and pungent
馃嚠馃嚛 Indonesia and 3 moreNutmeg
The dried seed of a tropical evergreen tree, prized for its warm, pungent flavor.Seed 路 Warm and sweet-spiced 路 Sweet and mellow
馃嚠馃嚦 India and 2 moreCardamom
Aromatic seeds from spindle-shaped pods used in sweet and savory dishes across Asia and the Middle East.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Warm and sweet-spiced
馃嚭馃嚫 United States and 1 moreCalifornian white sage
An aromatic desert shrub whose seeds flavour maize foods and roots make tonic teaSeed 路 Herbal and green 路 Sharp and pungent
馃嚞馃嚦 Guinea and 5 moreGrains of paradise
The pungent, citrus-tinged seeds of a West African ginger relative.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery
馃嚠馃嚦 India and 5 moreFenugreek丨賱亘丞 (hilba)
The cuboid seed of an annual legume, prized for its bitter warmth and maple aroma.Seed 路 Bitter 路 Warm and sweet-spiced
馃嚜馃嚬 Ethiopia and 4 moreKorarima
The dried seeds of a wild ginger relative, essential to Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking.Seed 路 Warm and sweet-spiced 路 Citrus and bright
馃嚜馃嚞 Egypt and 3 moreAnise
The sweet, licorice-flavored seed of an annual herb from the Mediterranean basin.Seed 路 Sweet and mellow 路 Anise and liquorice
馃嚘馃嚬 Austria and 5 moreCaraway
The crescent-shaped fruit of a carrot-family plant, used to flavour rye bread and spirits.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Anise and liquorice
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Grains of paradise: Lemmikkipuu, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Caraway: Slick, CC0, source
- Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source
- Anise: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Californian white sage: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Fenugreek: Yak, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Korarima: Joe Castleman ( Gyrofrog ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Cardamom: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source