🌶️Culinary Guide

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

A
3 spices
🌿

Poivre andaliman

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Andaliman pepper comes from Sumatra and belongs to the Sichuan-type pepper family.

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kencur is an aromatic rhizome native to Southeast Asia, widely used in Indonesian and Thai cuisine.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Dried resin of Ferula assa-foetida, asafoetida has a very strong, unpleasant raw odor that transforms into subtle garlic and onion flavor when cooked.

Inde, Asie
viandespoissons
B
11 spices
🌿

Graines de basilic

Inde, Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Bétel (feuille séchée)

Betel leaf is used in Southeast Asia to flavor dishes, infusions, and traditional preparations.

Asie
🌿

Piment oiseau

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Bird's eye chili is widely used in Africa and Asia.

Asie, Afrique
🌿

Carvi noir

Black caraway is used in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
légumes
🌿

Cumin noir

Black cumin, or nigella, has been used since antiquity in the Middle East and Asia.

Inde, Asie
viandeslégumes
🌿

Graines de cumin noir

Black cumin has been used since antiquity in the Middle East and Asia.

Inde, Asie
légumes
🌿

Ail noir

Black garlic is made by slowly fermenting garlic, popularized in Asia and embraced by modern cooking.

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Gingembre noir

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Black ginger is a rare Asian variety with deeper, camphor-like notes.

Asie
🌿

Graines de sésame noir

Unhulled version of sesame, black seeds have a more pronounced, earthy taste. Popular in Japanese cuisine for their decorative aspect.

Asie, Chine
viandespoissons
🌿

Graines de sarrasin

Buckwheat has been cultivated in Europe and Asia for centuries.

Asie
salades
🌿

Graines de bardane

Asie
viandespoissons
C
11 spices
🌿

Graines de carotte

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

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.

Asie, Chine
🌿

Cardamome chinoise

Chinese cardamom has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine.

Asie
viandes
🌿

Ciboulette chinoise

Chinese chives are an Asian herb with a stronger garlic-like flavor, widely used in Chinese cooking.

Asie
légumes
🌿

Mélange cinq-épices chinois

Traditional Chinese blend of five flavors: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel seeds. Base for Cantonese marinades.

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Menthe chocolat

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

Méditerranée, Asie
agneausalades
🌿

Cannelle

Cinnamon is a sweet and warm spice with sweet and woody notes. Essential in baking and comfort dishes.

Asie, Chine
viandespoissons
🌿

Fleur de cannelle

Cinnamon flower is the floral bud of the cinnamon tree, used in Asia for its softer aroma than bark.

Asie
🌿

Fleur de coriandre

Coriander flower is used fresh or dried for its delicate aroma, especially in Asian cuisine.

Asie
poissonssalades
🌿

Coriandre racine

Coriander root is widely used in Thai and Vietnamese cooking for its stronger flavor compared to leaves.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

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.

Inde, Asie
lentilles
D
16 spices
🌿

Fleur de bananier séchée

Used in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines, banana blossom adds unique texture to salads and curries.

Asie, Inde
salades
🌿

Basilic séché

Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.

Méditerranée, Asie
poissonstomates
🌿

Gingembre confit séché

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Candied ginger is used in Asia and European baking for its sweet-spicy flavor.

Asie
🌿

Fleur de jasmin séchée

Jasmine has been used in Asia for centuries to flavor teas and desserts.

Asie
🌿

Citron kaffir séché

Kaffir lime is widely used in Southeast Asia for its powerful, zesty aroma.

Asie
poissons
🌿

Feuille de combava séchée

Native to Southeast Asia, kaffir lime leaves are prized for their intense citrus aroma.

Asie
poissons
🌿

Racine de lotus séchée

Lotus root has been used for centuries in Asia.

Asie
légumes sautés
🌿

Mandarine séchée

Dried mandarin peel is used in Asia to flavor dishes and teas.

Asie
🌿

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
🌿

Bouton de rose séché

Rosebuds have been used for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to perfume desserts and drinks.

Moyen-Orient, Asie
🌿

Ciboule séchée

Scallion has long been used in Europe and Asia for its mild onion-like flavor.

Asie
salades
🌿

Shiso séché

Dried shiso preserves the characteristic aromas of this Japanese herb.

Asie
🌿

Basilic thaï séché

Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.

Asie, Méditerranée
poissonstomates
🌿

Racine de curcuma séchée

Turmeric has been used for millennia in India and South Asia.

Inde, Asie
🌿

Zeste de yuzu séché

Yuzu is a highly aromatic Japanese citrus.

Asie
poissons
F
2 spices
🌿

Graines de lin

Flax has been cultivated for millennia in Europe and Asia.

Asie
salades
🌿

Safran d'Inde frais

Fresh turmeric is commonly known as Indian saffron and used throughout Asia.

Inde, Asie
G
13 spices
🌿

Galanga

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Galangal is a ginger-like rhizome widely used in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Its aroma is more peppery and citrusy.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
fruits de mer
🌿

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

Méditerranée, Asie
viandesvolailles
🌿

Herbe à ail

Garlic herb has been used in Europe and Asia as a gentler alternative to fresh garlic.

Asie
légumes
🌿

Gingembre

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ginger originates from Asia and has been used for centuries in cooking and drinks. Its flavor is spicy, fresh, and citrusy.

Asie
🌿

Piment coréen gochugaru

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sun-dried red pepper flakes, the foundation of Korean cuisine and kimchi.

Asie
🌿

Graines de coriandre verte

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Moutarde verte

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Green mustard is used in Asia and Africa for both leaves and seeds.

Asie, Afrique
légumes
🌿

Baie du Sichuan verte

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Green Sichuan pepper is harvested earlier than red, offering a fresher, more citrus-forward profile.

Asie
volaillespoissons
🌿

Cassia en poudre

Cassia is a robust cinnamon variety widely used in Asia and spice blends.

Asie
🌿

Gingembre moulu

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ground ginger is widely used in Asia, the Middle East, and Western baking.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
🌿

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
🌿

Macis moulu

Ground mace has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia.

Asie
🌿

Badiane moulue

Star anise comes from Asia and has long flavored infusions, desserts, and Asian cuisines. Ground form blends easily into recipes.

Asie
H
2 spices
🌿

Graines de chanvre

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Hibiscus is used in Africa, Asia, and Latin America for its tangy infusions.

Asie, Afrique
J
3 spices
🌿

Bouton de jasmin

Jasmine has long been used in Asia to flavor teas, desserts, and infusions.

Asie
🌿

Bouton de jasmin

Jasmine has long been used in Asia to flavor teas, desserts, and infusions.

Asie
🌿

Poivre de Java

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Java pepper is grown in Indonesia and has a straightforward heat.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
viandes
K
2 spices
🌿

Kaffir lime zest is widely used in Southeast Asia for its powerful aroma.

Asie
poissons
🌿

Poivre de Kampot

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kampot pepper is a Cambodian PGI pepper renowned worldwide.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
viandespoissons
L
5 spices
🌿

Basilic citronné

Basil is a signature herb of Italian and Asian cuisines, known for its fresh, sweet aroma.

Asie, Méditerranée
poissonstomates
🌿

Citronnelle

Stalks of Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass has an intense, fresh citrus aroma. Pillar of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, it flavors soups and curries.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
viandespoissons
🌿

Bois de réglisse

Licorice wood has been used since antiquity in Europe and Asia to flavor infusions and desserts.

Asie
🌿

Bois de réglisse

Licorice wood has been used since antiquity in Europe and Asia to flavor infusions and desserts.

Asie
🌿

Coriandre longue

Long coriander refers to elongated coriander seeds, offering a more citrusy and refined aroma than standard coriander.

Asie
viandeslégumes
M
2 spices
🌿

Écorce de mangoustan

Mangosteen rind is used in Southeast Asia for its bitter, fruity notes.

Asie
🌿

Graines de melon

Melon seeds are used in Asia and the Middle East.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
N
2 spices
🌿

Baie du Népal

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Nepal pepper refers to aromatic Himalayan pepper berries with fresh, complex notes.

Asie
viandeslégumes
🌿

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.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
salades
P
1 spice
🌿

Shiso pourpre

Purple shiso is a Japanese herb used in cuisine and garnishing.

Asie
salades
R
1 spice
🌿

Galanga rouge

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Red galangal is a more pungent variety widely used in Asian cuisine.

Asie
S
14 spices
🌿

Cannelle de Saigon

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Saigon cinnamon (Vietnamese cassia) is prized for its high essential oil content and intense aroma.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Cannelle de Saigon

Saigon cinnamon (Vietnamese cassia) is prized for its high essential oil content and intense aroma.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Baie de sansho

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sansho is a Japanese pepper related to Sichuan pepper, long used for its citrusy, numbing notes.

Asie
volaillepoisson
🌿

Poivre de Sarawak

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sarawak pepper comes from Malaysia and is valued for its balance.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
viandeslégumes
🌿

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.

Europe du Nord, Asie
🌿
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Japanese seven-spice blend including chili, Sichuan pepper, citrus zest and sesame seeds. Perfect on noodles and soups.

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Poivre de Sichuan

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Native to China, Sichuan pepper isn't a true pepper but a berry with citrusy, numbing notes.

Asie, Chine
porccanard
🌿

Galanga fumé

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Galangal is an Asian root related to ginger, here smoked for added depth.

Asie
🌿

Racine de gingembre fumée

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Smoked ginger is a modern variation adding aromatic depth.

Asie
viandes
🌿

Tamarin fumé

Smoked tamarind is a modern variation with deep flavor.

Asie
viandessauces barbecue
🌿

Thé noir épicé

Spiced black tea is inspired by Asian chai traditions.

Asie
🌿

Anis étoilé

Star anise originates in Asia and is widely used in Chinese and Vietnamese cooking.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Graines d'anis étoilé

Asie, Chine
viandespoissons
🌿

Réglisse étoilée

Star licorice is used in Asia for its intense anise-like aroma.

Asie
T
7 spices
🌿

Tamarin

Tamarind has been used for centuries in Africa and Asia.

Asie, Inde
🌿

Tamarin concentré

Tamarind concentrate is a reduced, more intense form.

Asie
🌿

Herbe citronnée thaïe

Thai lemongrass is essential in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Herbe du tigre

Tiger grass is a traditional Asian plant used in local medicine and cooking.

Asie
🌿

Poivre de Timut

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Nepalese cousin of Sichuan pepper, Timut pepper stands out with pronounced grapefruit and passion fruit notes. Electrifying sensation on the palate.

Asie
viandespoissons
🌿

Graines de sésame grillées

Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
poissonssalades
🌿

Curcuma

Native to South Asia, turmeric is a rhizome used for centuries in Indian and other Asian cuisines.

Inde, Asie
légumes
V
1 spice
🌿

Coriandre vietnamienne

Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) is widely used in Southeast Asia, offering a peppery, citrusy flavor.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
poissonssalades
W
10 spices
🌿

Wasabi (poudre)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wasabi is an iconic Japanese root.

Asie
poissons crus
🌿

Cardamome blanche

White cardamom is a bleached form of green cardamom, offering a milder, subtler aroma.

Asie
🌿
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

White Sarawak pepper comes from Malaysia and is valued for its gentle aroma.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
volaillespoissons
🌿

Graines de sésame blanc

Cultivated for thousands of years in Africa and Asia, sesame is widely used across Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines.

Asie, Moyen-Orient
poissonssalades
🌿

Curcuma blanc

White turmeric is a lighter-colored variety used in Asia for its gentler, more herbal aroma.

Inde, Asie
légumes
🌿

Cassia entière

Whole cassia bark is used as sticks to slowly infuse dishes and drinks.

Asie
🌿

Kaffir lime entier séché

Kaffir lime is an iconic citrus fruit from Southeast Asia.

Asie
🌿

Kaffir lime entier séché

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
viandespoissons
🌿

Gingembre sauvage

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wild ginger grows naturally in parts of Asia and North America.

Asie, Amérique
🌿

Graines de moutarde sauvage

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wild mustard grows naturally in Europe and Asia.

Asie
Y
2 spices
🌿

Galanga jaune

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Yellow galangal is widely used in Thailand and Indonesia.

Asie, Asie du Sud-Est
🌿

Graines de moutarde jaune

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Mustard seeds have been used since ancient times in Europe and Asia. Yellow mustard is milder than black mustard.

Asie
choux