The Spice Route
Explore our collection of 65 spices from around the world. Discover their origins, flavors and culinary uses.
How to use The Spice Route?
The Spice Route is your complete guide to mastering the art of spices in cooking. Each detailed entry gives you:
- Geographic origin and history of the spice
- Taste profile with intensity and heat level
- Perfect pairings with meats, fish and vegetables
- Usage tips and mistakes to avoid
- Substitutions if you don't have the spice
65 spices found
Achiote (roucou)
Annatto comes from the seeds of the achiote tree and has long been used in Latin America and the Caribbean to color and flavor foods.
Dried resin of Ferula assa-foetida, asafoetida has a very strong, unpleasant raw odor that transforms into subtle garlic and onion flavor when cooked.
Ail noir
Black garlic is made by slowly fermenting garlic, popularized in Asia and embraced by modern cooking.
Graines de sésame noir
Unhulled version of sesame, black seeds have a more pronounced, earthy taste. Popular in Japanese cuisine for their decorative aspect.
Anis bleu
Blue anise is an anise variety with licorice-like notes, mainly used to flavor infusions, desserts, and some drinks.
Mélange cinq-épices chinois
Traditional Chinese blend of five flavors: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds. Base for Cantonese marinades.
Cannelle
Cinnamon is a sweet and warm spice with sweet and woody notes. Essential in baking and comfort dishes.
Fleur de coriandre
Coriander flower is used fresh or dried for its delicate aroma, especially in Asian cuisine.
Dill pollen is a Nordic specialty prized for its intense yet delicate aroma.
Aneth (graines)
Widely used in Northern and Eastern Europe, dill has a fresh anise-like aroma and is often paired with fish.
Basilic séché
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Cerfeuil séché
Chervil is a classic French herb, used fresh or dried.
Citron caviar séché
Finger lime comes from Australia. When dried, it concentrates its bright citrus acidity.
Citron kaffir séché
Kaffir lime is widely used in Southeast Asia for its powerful, zesty aroma.
Feuille de combava séchée
Native to Southeast Asia, kaffir lime leaves are prized for their intense citrus aroma.
Persil séché
Parsley is a European herb used since ancient times, both as garnish and seasoning.
Estragon séché
Tarragon is a classic French herb prized for its anise-like aroma.
Basilic thaï séché
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Fenouil (graines)
Common in Mediterranean cooking, fennel has a gentle anise-like flavor. Its seeds are used in savory dishes and teas.
Galanga
Galangal is a ginger-like rhizome widely used in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Its aroma is more peppery and citrusy.
Ail
Native to Central Asia, garlic has been used for thousands of years across Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
Graines d'aneth moulues
Widely used in Northern and Eastern Europe, dill has a fresh anise-like aroma and is often paired with fish.
Réglisse moulue
Root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice offers a sweet, slightly bitter aroma. Used in both sweet preparations and some savory dishes.
Graines de poivre rose moulues
Pink peppercorns come from South America and are not true pepper.
Baie de genièvre
Female cones of Juniperus communis, juniper berries have a pungent, resinous flavor with woody, sweet notes. Essential for gin and sauerkraut.
Basilic citronné
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Écorce de citron
Lemon peel has been used for centuries to flavor desserts and Mediterranean dishes.
Poivre citronné
Lemon pepper is a modern blend combining black pepper and citrus.
Citronnelle
Stalks of Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass has an intense, fresh citrus aroma. Pillar of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, it flavors soups and curries.
Macis
Mace is the lacy aril surrounding nutmeg, native to the Banda Islands in Indonesia. It has a more delicate aroma than nutmeg.
Mahlep
Seeds of Prunus mahaleb, mahleb has a sweet fragrance reminiscent of a cherry-almond cross. Used in Greek and Middle Eastern pastries.
Marjolaine
Leaves of Origanum majorana, marjoram offers a more delicate aroma than oregano with sweet, floral notes. Perfect in stuffings and meat dishes.
Estragon mexicain
Widely used in French cuisine, tarragon is known for its delicate anise-like aroma.
Anis des montagnes
Mountain anise refers to aromatic anise used traditionally in infusions and seasoning in some mountainous regions.
Paprika is a mild to moderately spicy spice made from dried and ground red peppers. Its taste ranges from sweet and fruity to smoky and intense depending on its preparation.
Baie rose
Dried pink berries with a delicate, slightly peppery taste and fruity notes. Despite its name, it's not a true pepper but the fruit of Schinus molle, a South American tree.
Fenouil marin
Sea fennel grows along European coasts and was used by sailors to prevent scurvy.
Piment jamaïcain fumé
Traditional Jamaican pepper smoked over pimento wood, giving distinctive jerk flavor.
Widely used in the Levant, sumac is a tangy red spice made from dried berries—great as a lemony finishing touch.
Fenouil doux
Sweet fennel has been used since antiquity around the Mediterranean.
Paprika doux
Powder from dried sweet peppers with a fruity, slightly sweet taste. Adds color and flavor without heat. Essential in Hungarian and Spanish cuisine.
Thym
Thyme is a Mediterranean herb used since ancient times to flavor dishes and help preserve foods.
Graines de sésame grillées
Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.
Vanille
Vanilla originated in Mexico and later spread to the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Réunion). It's one of the most prized spices in baking.
Coriandre vietnamienne
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) is widely used in Southeast Asia, offering a peppery, citrusy flavor.
Graines de sésame blanc
Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.
Cerfeuil sauvage
Wild chervil grows naturally in Europe and has long been used as a delicate aromatic herb.
Graines de fenouil sauvage
Wild fennel grows naturally around the Mediterranean basin.