The Spice Route
Explore our collection of 108 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
108 spices found
Poivre andaliman
Andaliman pepper comes from Sumatra and belongs to the Sichuan-type pepper family.
Kencur
Kencur is an aromatic rhizome native to Southeast Asia, widely used in Indonesian and Thai cuisine.
Dried resin of Ferula assa-foetida, asafoetida has a very strong, unpleasant raw odor that transforms into subtle garlic and onion flavor when cooked.
Bétel (feuille séchée)
Betel leaf is used in Southeast Asia to flavor dishes, infusions, and traditional preparations.
Cumin noir
Black cumin, or nigella, has been used since antiquity in the Middle East and Asia.
Graines de cumin noir
Black cumin has been used since antiquity in the Middle East and Asia.
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.
Cannelle Cassia
Cassia cinnamon is mainly sourced from China and Southeast Asia. It's bolder than Ceylon cinnamon and widely used in baking and spice blends.
Cardamome chinoise
Chinese cardamom has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine.
Ciboulette chinoise
Chinese chives are an Asian herb with a stronger garlic-like flavor, widely used in Chinese cooking.
Mélange cinq-épices chinois
Traditional Chinese blend of five flavors: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds. Base for Cantonese marinades.
Menthe chocolat
Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.
Cannelle
Cinnamon is a sweet and warm spice with sweet and woody notes. Essential in baking and comfort dishes.
Fleur de cannelle
Cinnamon flower is the floral bud of the cinnamon tree, used in Asia for its softer aroma than bark.
Fleur de coriandre
Coriander flower is used fresh or dried for its delicate aroma, especially in Asian cuisine.
Coriandre racine
Coriander root is widely used in Thai and Vietnamese cooking for its stronger flavor compared to leaves.
Arbre à curry (graines)
Seeds associated with the curry tree are linked to South Asian culinary traditions and should not be confused with curry powder blends.
Fleur de bananier séchée
Used in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines, banana blossom adds unique texture to salads and curries.
Basilic séché
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Gingembre confit séché
Candied ginger is used in Asia and European baking for its sweet-spicy flavor.
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.
Menthe séchée
Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.
Menthe poivrée séchée
Mint has been used since antiquity in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asia for its refreshing aroma.
Bouton de rose séché
Rosebuds have been used for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to perfume desserts and drinks.
Ciboule séchée
Scallion has long been used in Europe and Asia for its mild onion-like flavor.
Basilic thaï séché
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Safran d'Inde frais
Fresh turmeric is commonly known as Indian saffron and used throughout Asia.
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.
Herbe à ail
Garlic herb has been used in Europe and Asia as a gentler alternative to fresh garlic.
Gingembre
Ginger originates from Asia and has been used for centuries in cooking and drinks. Its flavor is spicy, fresh, and citrusy.
Piment coréen gochugaru
Sun-dried red pepper flakes, the foundation of Korean cuisine and kimchi.
Moutarde verte
Green mustard is used in Asia and Africa for both leaves and seeds.
Baie du Sichuan verte
Green Sichuan pepper is harvested earlier than red, offering a fresher, more citrus-forward profile.
Gingembre moulu
Ground ginger is widely used in Asia, the Middle East, and Western baking.
Réglisse moulue
Root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice offers a sweet, slightly bitter aroma. Used in both sweet preparations and some savory dishes.
Badiane moulue
Star anise comes from Asia and has long flavored infusions, desserts, and Asian cuisines. Ground form blends easily into recipes.
Poivre de Java
Java pepper is grown in Indonesia and has a straightforward heat.
Basilic citronné
Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.
Citronnelle
Stalks of Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass has an intense, fresh citrus aroma. Pillar of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, it flavors soups and curries.
Bois de réglisse
Licorice wood has been used since antiquity in Europe and Asia to flavor infusions and desserts.
Bois de réglisse
Licorice wood has been used since antiquity in Europe and Asia to flavor infusions and desserts.
Coriandre longue
Long coriander refers to elongated coriander seeds, offering a more citrusy and refined aroma than standard coriander.
Baie du Népal
Nepal pepper refers to aromatic Himalayan pepper berries with fresh, complex notes.
Graines de nigelle
Also called "black seed" and sometimes (confusingly) "black cumin," nigella is used in the Middle East and South Asia. Its flavor is lightly peppery and toasted.
Cannelle de Saigon
Saigon cinnamon (Vietnamese cassia) is prized for its high essential oil content and intense aroma.
Cannelle de Saigon
Saigon cinnamon (Vietnamese cassia) is prized for its high essential oil content and intense aroma.
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.
Argousier (baies séchées)
Sea buckthorn is a hardy shrub found in colder regions of Europe and Asia. Its berries are known for a tangy, fruity taste.
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.
Galanga fumé
Galangal is an Asian root related to ginger, here smoked for added depth.
Racine de gingembre fumée
Smoked ginger is a modern variation adding aromatic depth.
Anis étoilé
Star anise originates in Asia and is widely used in Chinese and Vietnamese cooking.
Poivre de Timut
Nepalese cousin of Sichuan pepper, Timut pepper stands out with pronounced grapefruit and passion fruit notes. Electrifying sensation on the palate.
Graines de sésame grillées
Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.
Coriandre vietnamienne
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) is widely used in Southeast Asia, offering a peppery, citrusy flavor.
Cardamome blanche
White cardamom is a bleached form of green cardamom, offering a milder, subtler aroma.
Sarawak blanc
White Sarawak pepper comes from Malaysia and is valued for its gentle aroma.
Graines de sésame blanc
Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.
Curcuma blanc
White turmeric is a lighter-colored variety used in Asia for its gentler, more herbal aroma.
Gingembre sauvage
Wild ginger grows naturally in parts of Asia and North America.