Spices of Europe

Paprika and caraway, herbes de Provence, mulled-wine and gingerbread spices, and the ports that once ran the spice trade. 28 spices on EveryMasala so far.

Spice cities, markets and growing areas

Blends of the region

Curry powder Quatre epices Herbes de Provence Mixed spice (pudding spice)Speculaas spice (speculoos)Mulled wine spices (Gluhwein)Lebkuchen spice (Lebkuchengewuerz)

Countries

🇦🇹 Austria and 5 moreCaraway The crescent-shaped fruit of a carrot-family herb, used to flavour breads and spirits.Seed · Anise and liquorice · Sharp and pungent

🇮🇹 ItalyMostardamostarda di frutta A northern Italian condiment of candied fruit in a sharp mustard syrupBlend · Sweet and mellow · Sharp and pungent

🇪🇸 SpainChoricero pepperspimiento choricero A dried red pepper from Spain used to make rich stews and sauces.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Smoky

🇫🇷 France and 1 moreDijon mustardMoutarde de Dijon A sharp condiment made from brown mustard seeds and white wine or verjuice, originating in Burgundy.Sharp and pungent · Sour and tart

🇫🇷 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

🇳🇱 Netherlands and 5 moreJuniper berry The fleshy seed cone of the juniper tree, a piney spice for game and gin.Sharp and pungent · Citrus and bright

🇫🇷 France and 1 moreEspelette pepperpiment d'Espelette A mild Basque chili with sweet, fruity notes and protected origin status.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery

🇫🇷 France and 5 moreFleur de sel A hand-raked crust of sea salt crystals gathered from evaporation pans.Earthy and deep

🇮🇹 ItalyRed Sulmona GarlicAglio rosso di Sulmona A traditional garlic cultivar from the Abruzzo region of Italy, grown on the Sulmona plateau.Bulb · Sharp and pungent · Earthy and deep

🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreChives The hollow leaves and purple flowers of a widespread perennial herb in the onion family.Leaf 🇫🇷 FranceRomenay pepperpiment de Romenay A compact, mild French chili cultivated in the historical province of Bresse.Chilli · Hot and fiery

🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreFriggitello A mild sweet Italian chilli often pickled, known for its complex flavour and slight heat.Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery

🇪🇸 SpainPaprika Tap de CortíPimentón de Mallorca A sweet, sun-dried ground pepper from the Balearic Islands, prized for its deep red colour and antioxidant properties.Seed · Sweet and mellow · Earthy and deep

🇭🇺 HungaryCherry peppercseresznyepaprika A small Capsicum annuum cultivar from Hungary, used for paprika and preserves.Chilli · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow

🇫🇷 FranceSel gris A coarse, moist sea salt harvested from the bottom of French salt pans.Sharp and pungent · Earthy and deep

🇬🇷 GreeceFlorina pepperπιπεριά Φλωρίνης A sweet, horn-shaped red pepper from northern Greece with Protected Designation of Origin status.Fruit · Sweet and mellow

🇬🇪 Georgia and 1 moreBlue fenugreekუცხო სუნელი The blue-flowered annual herb that seasons Georgian stews and Swiss cheeseSeed · Earthy and deep · Bitter

🇮🇹 ItalyCommon thyme A woody Mediterranean herb with small grey-green leaves and a sharp, spicy-sweet flavour.Leaf · Sharp and pungent · Sweet and mellow

🇦🇹 Austria and 5 moreCaraway The crescent-shaped fruit of a carrot-family plant, used to flavour rye bread and spirits.Seed · Sharp and pungent · Anise and liquorice

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Juniper berry: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 1.0, source
Red Sulmona Garlic: Marica Massaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Cherry pepper: James Lee, CC BY 2.0, source
Caraway: Slick, CC0, source
Chives: Jamain, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Common thyme: Isidre blanc, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Choricero peppers: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Dijon mustard: Rainer Zenz ., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Fleur de sel: Fleur de Sel sea salt. Ile de Re 2005, personal photograph., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Mostarda: Silvio, CC BY 2.0, source
Friggitello: User:CFang, Public domain, source
Paprika Tap de Cortí: Berin, CC BY 3.0, source
Herbes de Provence: Unknown author, CC BY 2.0, source
Sel gris: Stéphane Gourichon, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Florina pepper: https://www.aglaiakremezi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Peppers-pan-S, CC0, source
Espelette pepper: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Blue fenugreek: Flyout, CC BY-SA 3.0, source