The Spice Route
Explore our collection of 48 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
48 spices found
Poivre sauvage africain
This pepper comes from wild plants in Central Africa.
Piment ancho
Dried version of poblano pepper, ancho offers a fruity taste with raisin notes and mild heat. Base for Mexican mole sauces.
Poivre andaliman
Andaliman pepper comes from Sumatra and belongs to the Sichuan-type pepper family.
Chili árbol
Arbol chili is a traditional Mexican pepper, long and thin, valued for its clean heat.
Berbéré (mélange)
Spicy, complex Ethiopian blend including chili, ginger, coriander, cardamom and fenugreek. Base for traditional Ethiopian stews.
Poivre noir
Native to India's Malabar Coast, black pepper has been one of the most traded spices in history, adding warmth and aromatic heat.
Mélange cajun
Louisiana Cajun blend combining paprika, garlic, onion, pepper and herbs. The zesty flavor typical of Creole and Cajun cuisine.
Piment de Cayenne
Cayenne pepper is tied to the cuisines of the Americas and spread worldwide after early exploration. It brings clean, sharp heat.
Native to the Americas, chili gets its heat from capsaicin. Thousands of varieties exist, from mild to blazing hot. Essential in Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisines.
Chili chiltepin
Chiltepin is considered one of the oldest wild chilies in Mexico.
Chipotle
Smoked and dried jalapeño, chipotle has a deep smoky flavor with medium heat. Essential in Tex-Mex cuisine and barbecue sauces.
Mélange créole
Creole spice blends originate from Caribbean and Louisiana cuisines.
Baie de poivre cubèbe
Cubeb is an aromatic Indonesian pepper once prized in Europe. It tastes peppery with a camphor-like edge.
Cubèbe
Cubeb is an aromatic Indonesian pepper once popular in Europe.
Jalapeño séché
Jalapeño peppers originate from Mexico and are widely used in Latin American cuisine.
Piment d'Espelette
From France's Basque Country, Espelette pepper is known for mild heat and fruity aromas (often protected by designation in France).
Maniguette
Seeds of Aframomum melegueta, grains of paradise have an intense aroma reminiscent of pepper, cardamom and ginger. Rediscovered African spice.
Poivre vert
Green peppercorns are harvested unripe. They taste fresher and more herbal than black pepper, especially popular in pepper sauces.
Baie du Sichuan verte
Green Sichuan pepper is harvested earlier than red, offering a fresher, more citrus-forward profile.
Piment guajillo
Dried Mexican chili with smooth, shiny skin, guajillo offers a fruity, slightly tangy flavor with moderate heat. Excellent in salsas.
Paprika fort
Paprika with a good dose of heat, for those who like warmth along with color. Popular in goulash and spicy dishes.
Poivre de Kampot
Kampot pepper is a Cambodian PGI pepper renowned worldwide.
Poivre long
Used in Europe before black pepper, long pepper originates from India and provides gentle, complex heat.
Chili morita
Morita is a smoked jalapeño commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
Chili pasilla
Pasilla is a dried Mexican chili widely used in traditional sauces for its deep, slightly fruity notes.
Baie de sansho
Sansho is a Japanese pepper related to Sichuan pepper, long used for its citrusy, numbing notes.
Poivre de Sarawak
Sarawak pepper comes from Malaysia and is valued for its balance.
Japanese seven-spice blend including chili, Sichuan pepper, citrus zest and sesame seeds. Perfect on noodles and soups.
Poivre de Sichuan
Native to China, Sichuan pepper isn't a true pepper but a berry with citrusy, numbing notes.
Poivre de Cubèbe fumé
Cubeb has been used since the Middle Ages; the smoked version enhances its character.
Racine de gingembre fumée
Smoked ginger is a modern variation adding aromatic depth.
Paprika piquant fumé
This paprika combines heat with traditional smoking.
Poivre fumé
Smoked pepper is a modern adaptation adding depth and character.
Mélange barbecue épicé
Barbecue rubs originated in North America to season grilled meats.
Indian blend for tandoor marinades, colored with paprika and chili. Perfect for chicken, lamb and grilled vegetables.
Poivre de Tasmanie
Tasmanian pepperberry comes from Australia with woody and fruity notes.
Poivre de Tellicherry
Premium black pepper variety from India's Malabar coast, berries ripened longer on the vine.
Poivre de Timut
Nepalese cousin of Sichuan pepper, Timut pepper stands out with pronounced grapefruit and passion fruit notes. Electrifying sensation on the palate.
Poivre voatsiperifery
Voatsiperifery is a wild pepper from Madagascar, hand-harvested.
Poivre blanc
White pepper comes from the same berries as black pepper but is de-husked. It's milder and visually discreet in light sauces.
Sarawak blanc
White Sarawak pepper comes from Malaysia and is valued for its gentle aroma.
Baie de poivre sauvage
"Wild pepper" can refer to various peppery berries foraged in different regions, often more aromatic and complex than standard pepper.