Learning about Spices
What is a spice?
Why were spices important?
Sources of spices
Perfumes and Incenses
Use of spices as aphrodisiacs
Use of spices as medicines
Culinary herbs
A spice timeline
Table of Spices
Allspice (Pimento)
Anise
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Cassia
Chile Pepper
Chocolate
Cinnamon
Clove
Coriander (Cilantro)
Cumin
Dill
Fennel
Fenugreek
Frankincense and Myrrh
Galangal
Garlic
Ginger
Horseradish
Licorice
Mustard
Nutmeg and Mace
Onion
Saffron
Sugar
Sumac
Tamarind
Turmeric
Vanilla
Contacts and Acknowledgments
|
Taste and “Hotness” of Spices
| Spice |
Family |
Taste/Smell |
Heat*
| Major Uses |
| Ajowan |
Umbelliferae |
thyme-like, astringent |
5 |
flavor for Indian vegetables |
| Allspice |
Myrtaceae |
pungent, mixed, spicy |
4 |
pickles, wines, desserts, liquors |
| Anise |
Umbelliferae |
licorice-like, sweet |
1 |
pastries, candies, liquors |
| Annatto |
Bixaceae |
sweet, peppery |
2 |
dye, stews; insect repellant |
| Asafetida |
Umbelliferae |
pungent, rotten |
1 |
curries; expectorant |
| Bay |
Lauraceae |
bitter, pungent |
2 |
bouqet-garnis; liniments |
| Cardamom |
Zingiberaceae |
pungent, eucalyptus-like |
2 |
desserts, coffees, curries |
| Cassia |
Lauraceae |
pungent, cinnamon-like |
3 |
flavor; diarrhea |
| Chiles |
Solanaceae |
pungent, fiery |
4-10 |
flavors; analgesic |
| Cinnamon |
Lauraceae |
sweet, fragrant, pungent |
3 |
flavor; anti-microbial |
| Clove |
Myrtaceae |
sweet, pungent, astringent |
5 |
meats, sauces; anesthetic |
| Coriander |
Umbelliferae |
warm, aromatic, sweet |
1 |
curries; anti-microbial |
| Cubeb |
Piperaceae |
pungent, camphor-like |
3 |
peppery; anti-asthma, diuretic |
| Cumin |
Apiaceae |
peppery, aromatic |
4 |
curries, breads; colic |
| Dill |
Umbelliferae |
bitter-sweet, cool |
1 |
pickles, fish, breads; gripe |
| Fennel |
Umbelliferae |
licorice-like, warm |
1 |
fish, breads, sausages; colic |
| Fenugreek |
Leguminoseae |
like burnt sugar, bitter |
2 |
curries, breads; diabetes |
| Galangal |
Zingiberaceae |
gingery, camphor-like |
5 |
Indonesian curries; anti-emetic |
| Garlic |
Liliaceae |
fiery, alliaceous |
2-6 |
meats, marinades; expectorant |
| Ginger |
Zingiberaceae |
fiery, pungent |
7 |
Asian cooking; anti-emetic |
| Lemon Grass |
Gramineae |
lemony, gingery |
1 |
Asian cooking; insect-repellant |
| Licorice |
Leguminoseae |
sweet, bitter, salty |
1 |
confectionary; peptic ulcers |
| Mace |
Myristicaceae |
warm, sharp, sweet |
1 |
as for nutmeg, but stronger |
| Melegueta |
Zingiberaceae |
peppery |
5 |
as for pepper; liquors |
| Mint |
Labiata |
aromatic, cooling |
1 |
salads, garnishes; colic |
| Mustard |
Cruciferae |
sharp, fiery |
3-8 |
pickles, meats; counter-irritant |
| Nigella |
Ranunculaceae |
peppery, bitter |
3 |
breads; galactogogue |
| Nutmeg |
Myristicaceae |
sweet, warm, nutty |
1 |
desserts, eggnog; diahrrhea |
| Paprika |
Solanaceae |
warm, sweet |
2-6 |
goulash, salads; vitamin C |
| Peppercorns |
Piperaceae |
pungent, hot |
3-8 |
flavors; colds |
| Poppy seed |
Papaveraceae |
nutty, aromatic |
0 |
confectionary, salads |
| Saffron |
Iridaceae |
pungent, bitter |
0 |
bouillabaise, rice; fevers |
| Sesame |
Pedaliaceae |
nutty, earthy |
0 |
garnishes; cosmetics |
| Star anise |
Magnoliaceae |
bitter, licorice-like |
3 |
meats, desserts; colic |
| Sumac |
Anacardiaceae |
sour, fruity |
1 |
kebabs, salads; diuretic |
| Szechwan pepper |
Umbelliferae |
woodsy, peppery |
3 |
meats; colic |
| Tamarind |
Leguminoseae |
sour, fruity |
1 |
rice, meats; pharyngitis |
| Turmeric |
Zingiberaceae |
warm, acrid, bitter |
3 |
curries, dye; antiseptic |
| Vanilla |
Orchidaceae |
fragrant, sweet, delicious |
1 |
desserts; flavor |
| Zedoary |
Zingiberaceae |
gingery, camphor-like |
4 |
curries; antiseptic |
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| Savory herbs are generally less flavorful and less pungent. Their culinary use is very variable, and their medical uses are disputable. |
| * Heat is measured on
a 0-10 scale |
ReferencesCNN Interactive: food/herbs and spices
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/indepth.food/herbs/index.html
The Epicentre: The Encyclopedia of Spices
http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/spiceref.html |
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