Spice charts

Looking for some fun culinary enlightenment? Look no further, we’ve got the goods – an entertaining and informative spice chart for every need!

These charts are all about spices specifically, not herbs. Have a look at the Top 10 essential spices every kitchen needs or a list of the most popular spices by cuisine.

You will also find a comprehensive list of frequently used spices, their flavour profiles, food pairings and what other alternative uses they may have.

Lastly, we have the Top 12 most commonly used spices from across the globe, the Top 10 spice-producing countries in the world and the Top 10 most expensive spices in the world!

To start you off, here’s a list of really interesting, eye-watering and also rather hilarious facts about spices.

Fun facts about spices

Black pepper	In ancient Rome, whole peppercorns were so valuable that it was used as currency. It was even used to pay ransoms, taxes, and dowries! It was sprinkled over food to create the impression of wealth to guests.
Nutmeg	Nutmeg was once believed to be a cure for the plague in Europe during the middle ages. People would carry it around in little pouches to protect themselves. Sadly, this belief was not based on any scientific evidence obviously, and nutmeg did not actually work as a cure.
Ginger	In medieval Europe, gingerbread was considered an aphrodisiac. This is why gingerbread men and women were often given as gifts to potential love interests.
Chilli	The hottest chilli pepper in the world is the Carolina Reaper, which measures over two million Scoville heat units. That’s hotter than police-grade pepper spray! To put that in perspective, jalapeno peppers measure between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville heat units.
Saffron	The spice saffron is so expensive because it must be harvested by hand from the crocus flower. It takes approximately 150 flowers to produce just one gram of saffron. It can cost up to $10,000 per kilogram. That’s more expensive than gold!
Spice history	The world’s oldest cookbook, written in the 3rd century AD by a Roman gourmet named Apicius, contains over 500 recipes that call for spice blends and spices such as pepper, cumin, coriander and fennel.
Garlic	In ancient Egypt, garlic was believed to give strength and was given to the workers who built the pyramids to help them stay healthy and strong.
Vanilla	The phrase “salt of the earth” comes from the Bible, where it is used to describe someone who is humble and down-to-earth. This phrase may have originated because salt was once a valuable commodity that was used to preserve food and enhance flavour. Salt, however, is not considered a spice, it’s a mineral.
Turmeric	In India, turmeric is often used as a natural remedy for indigestion and other stomach ailments. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Salt	The phrase “salt of the earth” comes from the Bible, where it is used to describe someone who is humble and down-to-earth. This phrase may have originated because salt was once a valuable commodity that was used to preserve food and enhance flavour. Salt however, is not considered a spice, it’s a mineral.
Cloves	The word “clove” comes from the Latin word “clavus,” which means “nail.” The spice got its name because it looks like a small nail.
Vanilla	Vanilla comes from an orchid flower, and each vanilla pod must be hand-pollinated because the flower’s natural pollinator is an endangered species of bee. It takes up to three years for a vanilla plant to produce its first flower.
Cumin	Cumin is a popular spice used in many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. However, in some cultures, it was believed that cumin could cause lovers to fall out of love with each other, so it was sometimes avoided!
Nutmeg	Nutmeg is a popular spice that is often used in sweet dishes like cakes and pies. In large doses, nutmeg can cause hallucinations and even lead to a temporary state of madness. So, be careful not to go overboard with your nutmeg consumption!
Spice history	The use of spices in cooking dates back to ancient times, when people would use them to mask the taste of spoiled food. Delightful.
Spice history	The word “spice” comes from the Old French word “espice,” which means “goods that are imported.”
Nutmeg	In the 16th century, nutmeg was so expensive that one pound of it was equivalent in value to seven oxen or three horses.
Mustard	Mustard was once used as a cure for baldness, and it was believed that rubbing it on the scalp would stimulate hair growth.

The top 10 essential spices every kitchen should have

1.	Black peppercorns
2.	Cumin – Whole and ground
3.	Chilli – Flakes or ground
4.	Turmeric
5.	Bay leaves
6.	Garlic – Fresh, ground and granulated
7.	Cinnamon – Sticks and ground
8.	Paprika
9.	Cardamom
10.	Mustard – Seeds and ground

Popular spices by cuisine

American cuisine	Garlic, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, cayenne pepper
Australian cuisine	Native spices like Lemon myrtle, wattle seed, native pepper, but also black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander seeds, cumin, ginger, garlic, nutmeg, paprika, turmeric
Belgian cuisine	Black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, nutmeg
Brazilian cuisine	Cinnamon, annatto, cloves, bay leaf, garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric, fennel, black pepper, paprika, nutmeg, allspice
Cajun cuisine	Black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, bay leaf, chilli, cloves
Caribbean cuisine	Allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, star anise, cayenne pepper
Chinese cuisine	Five Spice Powder, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, white pepper, dried chilli, black cardamom, bay leaf, cumin
Ethiopian cuisine	Turmeric, black cardamom, ajwain seed, ginger, coriander, fenugreek, cumin, cloves, garlic
Filipino cuisine	Bay leaf, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, tamarind, chilli pepper, annatto, black pepper, paprika
French cuisine	Black pepper, nutmeg, saffron, bay leaf
German cuisine	Bay leaf, caraway seeds, juniper berries, white pepper, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, garlic
Greek cuisine	Allspice, cardamom, cloves, coriander, mahlab, mastic, nutmeg, saffron, sumac
Hungarian cuisine	Paprika, bay leaf, caraway seeds, garlic, cumin
Indian cuisine	Cumin, coriander, cloves, cardamom, red chilli powder, ginger, mustard seed, fenugreek, turmeric, saffron
Italian cuisine	Garlic powder, onion powder, red chilli flakes, fennel seeds, black pepper
Japanese cuisine	Japanese chilli pepper, Sansho pepper, mustard seeds, Shichimi, bonito flakes, sesame seeds, Aonori
Korean cuisine	Ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, Korean chilli powder, Korean black pepper
Lebanese cuisine	Cardamom, sumac, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, fenugreek
Mediterranean cuisine	Bay leaf, black pepper, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, garlic, paprika, saffron, sumac, turmeric
Mexican cuisine	Achiote, allspice, anise, cacao, cinnamon, chilli powder, cloves, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, sesame seeds
Moroccan cuisine	Black pepper, ginger, turmeric, saffron, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, white pepper
Nepalese cuisine	Ginger, garlic, Szechwan pepper, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, asafoetida, cloves, cardamom
Pakistani cuisine	Chilli powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, bay leaf, caraway seeds, cardamom, asafoetida, saffron
Peruvian cuisine	Black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, paprika, nutmeg, turmeric
Portuguese cuisine	Pepper, peri-peri, paprika, cinnamon, anise seed, cumin, nutmeg, ginger, clove
Russian cuisine	Black pepper, mustard seeds, juniper berries, garlic
Scandinavian cuisine	Juniper berries, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, dill seeds, caraway
South African cuisine	Cinnamon, bay leaves, curry leaves, garlic, ginger, saffron, cumin, turmeric, fennel, allspice, black pepper, peri-peri
Spanish cuisine	Paprika, saffron, garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon
Thai cuisine	Cinnamon, Coriander root, Coriander seeds, cumin, dried chillies, galangal, ginger, garlic, green peppercorns
Turkish cuisine	Turkish red chilli, cumin, sumac, Nigella seeds, turmeric, bay leaf, sesame seeds
Vietnamese cuisine	Black cardamom, black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, coriander seeds, cassia bark, fennel, cloves, cumin, dried chilli, star anise

Chart of popular spices and their food pairings

Name	Parts used	Flavour profile	Food Partners	**Alternative treatments
Allspice	Dried berries	Warm, Sweet, Peppery	Casserole dishes, fish, fruit compotes, desserts, used for preservation	Headaches, muscle cramps and tooth pain
Aniseed	Seeds	Warm, Sweet, Camphorous	Desserts, bakes, pickled vegetables, fruit, chutney, jam	Trapped wind and headaches
Annatto	Seeds	Earthy, Peppery, Sweet	Marinades for chicken, pork and beef, fish, Spanish rice, chilli chocolate dishes	Stomach problems and skin conditions
Bay leaf	Whole leaves	Floral, Herbal, Resinous	Stews, curries, stocks, sauce, soup, bobotie	Cough remedy, antiseptic and to treat skin conditions
Caraway seeds	Seed-like fruits	Menthol, Earthy, Warming	Sauerkraut, salads, stews, potato dishes, bread, cheeses, cheese sauce, cakes, biscuits, sausage, pickles, oily fish	Aids digestion
Cardamom	Pods, seeds	Floral, Citrusy, Eucalyptus	Moroccan meat dishes, mince dishes, rice dishes, bakes, cooked in milk and coffees, liqueurs or mulled wine	Depression, skin conditions and urinary conditions. Helps to mask garlic breath when chewing on a pod
Carob	Pods	Chocolatey, Astringent, Sweet	Aubergine, glazes for barbeques, baking, desserts, beverages	Anti-fungal and antibacterial agent
Celery seed	Seeds	Lemony, Savoury, Bitter	Stews, soups, sauces, bouquet garni and mirepoix, salads, seasoned salts	Water retention, arthritis and gout
Chilli	Fruits	Hot, Fruity, Pungent	Spice mixes, vinegars and oils, sambals, pastes for stews, whole meat cuts, savoury dishes, chocolate, sauces	As a cream or ointment it can reduce muscle pain, also an aid to stimulate indigestion
Cinnamon	Bark	Warm, Aromatic, Sweet	Sweet bakes, cooked fruit, fruit salad, spice cake, red meats, curries	Sore throats, coughs, indigestion, abdominal cramps, intestinal spasms, nausea, flatulence and diarrhoea
Cloves	Flower bud	Sweet, Camphorous, Astringent	Sausages, masala, sweet dishes, bakes, stews, whole meat cuts, game, venison, hot drinks	Pain killer
Coriander	Seeds, leaves	Floral, Citrus, Warming	Sausages, pork, meat pies, beef, soup, salads, rice dishes and stews	Ulcers and stomach problems
Curry leaves	Leaves	Warm, Meaty, Floral	Curry dishes made from any meat, vegetable curries, rice and legumes, eggs, savoury bakes	Digestive aid
Dill weed (seeds)	Seeds	Citrus, Bitter, Woody	Grilled fish, fish stews, goulash, potato salad, flatbreads, vegetable bakes	Stomach complaints
Fennel	Fruits, pollen	Bittersweet, Warming, Aniseedy	Oily fish, chicken, lamb, pork, salad dressings, bread, tomato sauces, cakes, biscuits	Improves vision and aids digestion
Fenugreek	Seeds	Warm, Musty, Bittersweet	Masala, curry powder mixes, stews, savoury bakes, dairy like saag, paneer and ricotta	Digestive aid, hair loss treatment and skin complaints
Cumin	Whole seeds	Herby, Earthy, Woody	Curries, sweet and savoury bakes, rice, risotto, sausages, soup, fish, meat, eggs, sauces, stews	Aids digestion and relieve flatulence
Garlic	Bulb	Pungent, Sweet, Sulphurous	All meats, vegetable dishes, savoury bakes, pastas, soups, condiments, butters	Improves cholesterol levels and lowers high blood pressure
Ginger	Rhizomes	Citrusy, Hot, Woody	Many sweet and savoury dishes and bakes, beverages	Indigestion and nausea
Juniper	Berries	Floral, Sharp, Resinous	Games and venison, pickling spices, marinades, sauerkraut, sauces	Anti-inflammatory
Lemongrass	Stalks	Refreshing, Citrusy, Peppery	Infusions with milk and custard bases for desserts, stir fries, chicken and fish dishes, rice and soups	Anti-inflammatory, a fungicide and to relieve joint pain
Liquorice	Rhizomes	Aniseedy, Warm, Sweet	Baking, jams, chutneys, oily fish, citrus	Inflammation, ulcers and chest complaints
Nutmeg	Seed kernels	Warm, Woody, Bittersweet	Potato dishes, moussaka, cakes, biscuits, milk drinks, fish, sauces, all types of meat	Toothache and joint pain
Mace	Seed covering of nutmeg seed	Warm, Aromatic, Sweet	All types of meat, sauces, desserts, baking, soups, vegetable bakes	Chest problems, aids digestion and improves circulation
Mustard seeds	Seeds	Sharp, Pungent, Earthy	Pickles, stews, processed into mustard	Mustard oil can be used topically for the relieve of muscle aches and arthritis
Nigella seeds	Seeds	Peppery, Herbaceous, Mild	Turkish breads, dahls, vegetable dishes, pickles, chutney, orange syrup breads, grains and pulses, goat’s cheese, lamb	Alleviates colds and sooths digestive ailments
Paprika	Fruits	Fruity, Earthy, Bittersweet	Masalas, all meat dishes	Inflammation
Pepper	Dried berries	Spicy, Hot, Citrusy	All meat and savoury dishes, soups and sauces
Poppy seeds	Seeds	Mild, Nutty, Green	Sweet and savoury dishes, baking	Some painkillers and sedatives are manufactured from the plant’s unripe seed pods
Rose	Petals	Floral, Sweet, Musky	Baked goods, fruit compotes, ice cream	Antidepressant, antiseptic and to treat anxiety
Saffron	Flower stigmas	Bitter, Grassy, Honeyed	Adds colour to dishes, rice, nasi goreng, bobotie, braised dishes, stewed fruit, desserts and breakfast dishes	Sedative, aids coughs and asthma
Sesame seeds	Seeds	Rich, Nutty, Bittersweet	Crumb coatings, decoration on sweets, salads, schnitzels and meatballs, tahini	Indigestion and arthritis
Sichuan pepper	Fruit rinds	Citrusy, Pungent, Floral	Asian dishes, meats, vegetables, noodles, oils	Digestion, rheumatism and as a diuretic
Star Anise	Seed pods, seeds	Warm, Sweet, Liquorice	Confectionary, starchy dishes, alcoholic drinks, patisserie, fruit preserves, rice, sauces	Stomach pain and headaches
Sumac	Dried berries	Woody, Fruity, Sour	Stews, meats and vegetables, salt and spice mixes like zaatar and dukkha, beetroot, potatoes, chicken, bean salads	Used to treat fever
Tamarind	Pulp of the pods	Fruity, Sour, Sweet	Can replace lemon and vinegar in curries, chutney, lentil and bean dishes, soups and drinks, Worcestershire sauce	Bowl ailments, jaundice and nausea. It also has laxative and antiseptic properties
Turmeric	Rhizomes	Floral, Woody, Bitter	Stews, masalas, curries, pickles, salads, chutney, rice and egg dishes	Anti-inflammatory
Vanilla	Pods	Woody, Musky, Sweet, Warm	Baked goods, desserts, fruits, patisserie	Used in perfumes and cosmetics

The top 12 most used spices across the globe

1.	Black pepper
2.	Cumin
3.	Garlic
4.	Ginger
5.	Chilli pepper
6.	Cinnamon
7.	Paprika
8.	Turmeric
9.	Cardamom
10.	Coriander
11.	Cloves
12.	Nutmeg

Top 10 spice-producing countries in the world

1.	India
2.	Bangladesh
3.	Turkey
4.	China
5.	Pakistan
6.	Ethiopia
7.	Nepal
8.	Iran
9.	Colombia
10.	Sri Lanka

The top 10 most expensive spices in the world

Source – www.luxurycolumnist.com

1.	Saffron
2.	Fennel pollen
3.	Vanilla
4.	Mahlab
5.	Long pepper
6.	Black cumin seed
7.	Kaffir lime leaves
8.	Grains of paradise
9.	Green cardamom
10.	Pasilla de Oaxaca chillies