All spices
306 spices so far, best known first. 88 more are on the list to be written.
🇵🇪 Peru and 5 moreChili pepperchīlli
The pungent berry of the Capsicum plant, used to add heat to dishes worldwide.Fruit · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep
🇮🇳 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
🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreParsley
A bright green herb from the celery family, used fresh across Europe and the Middle East.Leaf · Bitter · Herbal and green
🇦🇹 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
🇮🇷 Iran and 4 moreSaffronزعفران
The dried crimson stigmas of the autumn-blooming saffron crocus.Stigma · Sharp and pungent · Bitter
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreNutmeg
The dried seed of a tropical evergreen tree, prized for its warm, pungent flavor.Seed · Warm and sweet-spiced · Sweet and mellow
🇷🇺 Russia and 4 moreTarragon
A slender perennial herb with anise-scented leaves, prized in French and Middle Eastern cooking.Leaf · Anise and liquorice · Sweet and mellow
🇯🇵 JapanKarashiからし
A potent Japanese mustard made from brown mustard seeds, served as a sharp condiment.Seed · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent
🇪🇸 SpainChoricero pepperspimiento choricero
A dried red pepper from Spain used to make rich stews and sauces.Chilli · Sweet and mellow · Smoky
🇨🇳 ChinaYongfeng chili sauce永丰辣酱
A fermented paste of peppers, rice and wheat from Hunan province, one of the region's three treasures.Paste · Hot and fiery · Sweet and mellow
🇺🇸 United StatesSpicebush
The dried fruit of a North American shrub, used as an allspice substitute.Fruit · Citrus and bright · Sharp and pungent
🇮🇳 IndiaKairकैर
The spicy pink berry and flower bud of a drought-hardy desert bushFruit · Sharp and pungent
🇮🇳 IndiaMalabar pepper
A Geographical Indication black pepper from Kerala and neighbouring regions.Seed · Sharp and pungent
🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 moreAnnatto
The orange-red pigment from achiote seeds used as a natural food coloring and mild spice.Seed · Earthy and deep · Sweet and mellow
🇱🇰 Sri LankaLunumirisලුණු මිරිස්
A traditional Sri Lankan condiment of ground chillies and saltHot and fiery · Sour and tart
🇮🇩 Indonesia and 2 moreIndonesian bay leafdaun salam
The aromatic leaves of a Myrtaceae tree used to flavour soups and stews across Indonesia and Suriname.Leaf · Bitter
🇨🇲 Cameroon and 1 morePenja white pepper
A Cameroonian black pepper variety grown in the volcanic Penja Valley, protected by geographical indication.Seed · Sharp and pungent · Earthy and deep
🇧🇷 Brazil and 5 moreMalagueta peppermalagueta
A small, fiery chili from Capsicum frutescens used across Portuguese-speaking regions.Chilli · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent
🇳🇬 Nigeria and 1 moreOgiriÒgìrì
A fermented West African condiment made from oil-bearing seeds.Paste · Savoury and umami
🇮🇳 India and 3 moreIndian prickly ash
A pungent fruit from a thorny shrub, used for its tingling spice in coastal India and Vietnam.Fruit · Sharp and pungent · Numbing and tingling
🇱🇦 Laos and 2 moreKhao khuaເຂົ້າຂົ້ວ
Dry-toasted sticky rice, ground rough, the nutty backbone of Lao laabSeed · Smoky
🇮🇳 IndiaKala masala
A dark roasted spice blend from Maharashtra used for everyday home cooking.Blend · Hot and fiery · Warm and sweet-spiced
🇮🇳 IndiaErode TurmericErodu Manjal
A Geographical Indication turmeric from Tamil Nadu with high curcumin content.Root · Earthy and deep · Bitter
🇯🇵 JapanYuzu koshō柚子胡椒
A fermented Japanese paste of chili peppers and yuzu citrus peel.Paste · Hot and fiery · Citrus and bright
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreGingermint
A sterile mint hybrid grown for essential oil and chewing gum flavour.Herbal and green · Sweet and mellow
🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreChipotle
Smoke-dried ripe jalapeño peppers used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cookingChilli · Hot and fiery · Smoky
🇮🇳 IndiaChammanthi podi
A dry coconut and spice condiment from Kerala that preserves fresh chutney for months.Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep
🇱🇰 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 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
🇰🇭 CambodiaKroeungគ្រឿង
The pounded herb paste that gives Khmer dishes their base flavourPaste · Herbal and green · Hot and fiery
🇮🇹 ItalyMostardamostarda di frutta
A northern Italian condiment of candied fruit in a sharp mustard syrupBlend · Sweet and mellow · Sharp and pungent
🇴🇲 Oman and 3 moreDried lime
Sun-dried limes from the Persian Gulf, used whole or ground to add sour depth to Middle Eastern dishes.Fruit · Sour and tart · Earthy and deep
🇭🇹 HaitiEpis
A blended flavor base of peppers, garlic, and herbs essential to Haitian cookingHot and fiery · 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
🇳🇵 Nepal and 2 moreDalle Khursaniडल्ले खुर्सानी
A round, fiery chilli from the Himalayas, known for its intense heat and vitamin content.Chilli · Hot and fiery
🇳🇬 NigeriaYaji
A spicy rub from Nigeria made with chili, ginger, and ground peanuts.Blend · Hot and fiery · Earthy and deep
🇫🇷 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
🇾🇪 Yemen and 1 moreZhugسحوق
A Yemeni hot sauce of crushed chilies, garlic, and corianderHot and fiery · Sharp and pungent
🇹🇷 Turkey and 5 morePoppy seed
The tiny kidney-shaped oilseed of the opium poppy, used in baking and cooking across Europe and South Asia.Seed · Earthy and deep
🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 morePaprika
A red powder made from dried Capsicum annuum peppers, used to colour and flavour dishes across Europe and the Middle EasSeed · Sweet and mellow · Hot and fiery
🇮🇳 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
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreBay leaf
The dried or fresh leaves of the laurel tree, used to infuse depth into slow-cooked dishes.Leaf · Herbal and green · Sharp and pungent
🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSichuan pepper花椒 (huājiāo)
The dried husk of Zanthoxylum fruit, prized for its citrus scent and electric numbness.Fruit · Citrus and bright · Sharp and pungent
🇲🇦 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
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Parsley: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Epis: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Sichuan pepper: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Yuzu koshō: njt, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Karashi: yoppy, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bay leaf: Χρήστης:Andrikkos / The original uploader was Andrikkos at Greek Wikip, Public domain, source
- Paprika: Takkk, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chili pepper: Takeaway, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Curry powder: Slick, CC0, source
- Ras el hanout: Sarefo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Caraway: Slick, CC0, source
- Tarragon: KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Annatto: Porto Neto, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Poppy seed: Odedr, Public domain, source
- Zhug: DonIncognito, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Malagueta pepper: Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil, CC BY 2.0, source
- Indian prickly ash: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dalle Khursani: Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Yaji: Salma kyari, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Yongfeng chili sauce: Elena0100, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Gingermint: SEWilco, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Curry paste: Ryan Snyder, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kair: T. R. Shankar Raman, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Indonesian bay leaf: W.A. Djatmiko ( Wie146 ), CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Wild turmeric: goldentakin, CC BY 2.0, source
- Khao khua: Isan1985, CC0, source
- Kroeung: Goomba King ( en:User:Trilinguist ), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Dijon mustard: Rainer Zenz ., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Choricero peppers: Tamorlan, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chipotle: User:Carstor, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Mostarda: Silvio, CC BY 2.0, source
- Penja white pepper: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Erode Turmeric: Sivaranjani, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Greater galangal: Raffi Kojian, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Garam masala: Miansari66, Public domain, source
- Dried lime: Theinfo, CC BY 3.0, source
- Malabar pepper: കാക്കര, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Basil: Castielli, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Saffron: Hubertl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Nutmeg: Herusutimbul, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source
- Spicebush: Jomegat, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Chammanthi podi: Ranjithsiji, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lunumiris: Yasith Silva, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lovage: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, source