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
馃嚠馃嚬 Italy and 5 moreMustard
A pungent paste made from ground mustard seeds mixed with liquid and spices.Paste 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Hot and fiery
馃嚞馃嚙 United Kingdom and 4 moreRock samphire
A coastal succulent with peppery leaves and carrot-scented roots, used fresh or pickled.Leaf 路 Hot and fiery 路 Sharp and pungent
馃嚚馃嚦 China and 1 moreGarlic powder
A dry, savory spice made from dehydrated and ground garlic cloves.Seed 路 Sharp and pungent 路 Earthy and deep
馃嚡馃嚨 Japan and 1 moreSansho灞辨
The dried berries and young leaves of a spiny Japanese shrub, prized for their numbing citrus heat.Seed 路 Citrus and bright 路 Numbing and tingling
馃嚠馃嚤 Israel and 5 moreCoriander
The leaves and dried seeds of an annual Mediterranean herb used in cuisines worldwide.Leaf 路 Citrus and bright 路 Warm and sweet-spiced
馃嚠馃嚦 India and 5 moreSesame
The drought-hardy seed of a flowering plant, prized for its oil and nutty taste.Seed 路 Warm and sweet-spiced
馃嚫馃嚲 Syria and 5 moreSumac
A tart, crimson spice made from ground berries of the Rhus coriaria shrub.Seed 路 Sour and tart 路 Citrus and bright
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Garlic powder: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sicilian sumac: Dedda71, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sansho: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Rock samphire: User:Jymm, Public domain, source
- Mustard: Rainer Zenz, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Coriander: Thamizhpparithi Maari, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sesame: Anna Frodesiak, CC0, source
- Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source