🌶️Culinary Guide

The Spice Route

Explore our collection of 47 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

47 spices found

C
6 spices
🌿
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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.

Méditerranée, Amérique
viandespoissons
🌿

Menthe chocolat

Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.

Méditerranée, Asie
agneausalades
🌿

Coriandre (graines)

Coriander has been grown since ancient times. The seeds taste warmer and more citrusy than the fresh leaves.

Méditerranée
légumes rôtislégumes rôtis
🌿

Coriandre (graines)

Coriander has been grown since ancient times. The seeds taste warmer and more citrusy than the fresh leaves.

Inde, Moyen-Orient
légumes rôtislégumes rôtis
🌿

Lavande culinaire

Culinary lavender is cultivated in Provence and has been used to flavor desserts and savory dishes for centuries.

Méditerranée, France
viandes grillées
🌿

Herbe à curry

Curry herb is a Mediterranean aromatic plant whose aroma recalls curry.

Inde, Méditerranée
viandeslégumes
D
5 spices
🌿

Cerfeuil séché

Chervil is a classic French herb, used fresh or dried.

Méditerranée, France
volaillespoissons
🌿

Menthe séchée

Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.

Moyen-Orient, Méditerranée
agneausalades
🌿

Menthe poivrée séchée

Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.

Méditerranée, Asie
agneausalades
🌿

Sauge séchée

Sage is a Mediterranean herb used since antiquity.

Méditerranée
viandes
🌿

Estragon séché

Tarragon is a classic French herb prized for its anise-like aroma.

Méditerranée, France
volaillespoissons
F
1 spice
🌿

Fenouil (graines)

Common in Mediterranean cooking, fennel has a gentle anise-like flavor. Its seeds are used in savory dishes and teas.

Méditerranée
saucisseslégumes rôtis
G
6 spices
🌿

Native to Central Asia, garlic has been used for thousands of years across Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.

Méditerranée, Asie
viandesvolailles
🌿

Ail en poudre

Garlic powder is dehydrated garlic, developed for long shelf life and convenience in modern cooking.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes
🌿

Ail granulé

Granulated garlic is a coarser dehydrated form than powder, popular in dry rubs and seasoning blends.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes
🌿

Origan grec

Greek oregano is a Mediterranean herb emblematic of Greek cuisine.

Méditerranée
viandestomates
🌿

Coriandre moulue

Ground coriander is widely used worldwide for its warm, citrusy aroma.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes
🌿

Réglisse moulue

Root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice offers a sweet, slightly bitter aroma. Used in both sweet preparations and some savory dishes.

Méditerranée, Asie
viandespoissons
H
4 spices
🌿

Herbes de Provence

A classic blend from southern France, herbes de Provence usually combine thyme, rosemary, oregano, and savory.

Méditerranée, France
viandes grilléespoulet
🌿

Paprika fort

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Paprika with a good dose of heat, for those who like warmth along with color. Popular in goulash and spicy dishes.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandespoissons
🌿

Paprika hongrois

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hungarian paprika is emblematic of Central European cuisine.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandes
🌿

Hysope

Hyssop is a Mediterranean herb used since antiquity.

Méditerranée
viandes
L
1 spice
🌿

Thym citron

Lemon thyme is an aromatic variety of Mediterranean thyme.

Méditerranée
volaillespoissons
M
4 spices
🌿

Mahlep

Seeds of Prunus mahaleb, mahleb has a sweet fragrance reminiscent of a cherry-almond cross. Used in Greek and Middle Eastern pastries.

Moyen-Orient, Méditerranée
viandespoissons
🌿

Marjolaine

Leaves of Origanum majorana, marjoram offers a more delicate aroma than oregano with sweet, floral notes. Perfect in stuffings and meat dishes.

Méditerranée
viandespoissons
🌿

Origan mexicain

Mexican oregano differs from Mediterranean oregano and is widely used in Mexican cuisine.

Amérique, Amérique centrale
viandesharicots
🌿

Baie de myrte

Myrtle berries are used in Mediterranean cooking, especially in Sardinia, with resinous and lightly peppery notes.

Méditerranée
viandesgibier
O
1 spice
🌿

Origan

Widely used in Italy and Greece, oregano is a signature Mediterranean herb.

Méditerranée
viandessauces tomate
P
1 spice
🌿
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

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.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandespoissons
R
2 spices
🌿

Ail rôti séché

Dried roasted garlic captures roasted garlic's mellow, caramel-like character in a shelf-stable form.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes rôtis
🌿

Romarin

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb closely associated with roasting and grilling.

Méditerranée
agneaupoulet
S
11 spices
🌿

Sarriette

An ancient Mediterranean herb, savory is often used with legumes and meats.

Méditerranée
viandesharicots
🌿

Paprika piquant fumé

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This paprika combines heat with traditional smoking.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandes
🌿

Paprika fumé

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Strongly associated with Spain (pimentón), smoked paprika is made from peppers that are dried and smoked, creating a deep, woody flavor.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandeslégumes rôtis
🌿

Romarin fumé

Smoked rosemary is a modern variation enhancing Mediterranean aroma.

Méditerranée
viandespommes de terre
🌿

Paprika doux fumé

Smoked paprika comes from Spain and is wood-smoked.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandespommes de terre
🌿

Thym fumé

Smoked thyme is a modern variation of Mediterranean thyme.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes rôtis
🌿

Paprika espagnol

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Spanish paprika is known for its rich aroma.

Méditerranée, Espagne
viandes
🌿

Fleur de sel épicée

Méditerranée, France
viandespoissons
🌿

Sarriette d'été

Summer savory is a traditional Mediterranean herb.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumineuses
🌿

Fenouil doux

Sweet fennel has been used since antiquity around the Mediterranean.

Méditerranée
charcuteriespoissons
🌿

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.

Méditerranée, Hongrie
viandespoissons
T
2 spices
🌿

Thym

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb used since ancient times to flavor dishes and help preserve foods.

Méditerranée
viandesvolailles
🌿

Fleur de thym

Thyme flower is harvested for its more delicate aroma than leaves.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes
W
3 spices
🌿

Romarin sauvage

Wild rosemary grows naturally around the Mediterranean basin.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes rôtis
🌿

Thym sauvage

Wild thyme grows naturally in Mediterranean regions.

Méditerranée
viandeslégumes rôtis
🌿

Sarriette d'hiver

Winter savory is more robust than summer savory.

Méditerranée
viandes