Spice Origins
This bright yellow spice, commonly used in Indian cuisine, comes from a root related to ginger.
Tumeric
This common spice, made from dried berries, is found on nearly every dining table at restaurants
Black pepper
This compound gives chili peppers their heat.
Capsaicin
This Middle Eastern spice blend, containing thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, is often sprinkled on flatbreads
Za'atar
This European country dominated the spice trade during the 17th century with its powerful East India Company.
Netherlands
Vanilla, a popular flavoring, comes from the bean of this type of plant.
Orchid
This spice, a key ingredient in pumpkin pie, comes from the dried inner bark of a tree
Cinnamon
The Scoville Scale measures this characteristic of a spice.
Spiciness or heat level
This Indian spice blend, whose name means "hot spices," is a staple in many curries.
Garam Masala
This ancient civilization used spices like cinnamon and cassia for embalming their dead.
Egypt
Native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, this spice was once worth its weight in gold.
Nutmeg
This aromatic spice, often called the "Queen of Spices," is commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes and comes in green and black varieties
Cardamom
Mustard, horseradish, and wasabi contain compounds called isothiocyanates, which create this type of heat.
Nasal heat
This Cajun and Creole seasoning blend includes ingredients like paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder
Blackened seasoning or Cajun seasoning
The spice trade helped drive the colonization of this large archipelago, which later became Indonesia.
Maluku Islands or Spice Islands
Saffron, one of the world's most expensive spices, is derived from the stigmas of this flower.
Crocus
Fenugreek is often used in spice blends from this South Asian country, home to dishes like curry.
India
This spice, often associated with fall flavors, can be toxic in large amounts due to its myristicin content.
Nutmeg
This Ethiopian spice mix often includes chili peppers, fenugreek, and cardamom
Berbere
This Portuguese explorer was the first to successfully sail around Africa to reach India, opening the sea route for the spice trade.
Vasco da Gama
The majority of the world’s cinnamon supply comes from this Asian island nation.
Sri Lanka
This rare spice, harvested from the dried fruit of an Asian tree, is known for its smoky flavor and is a key ingredient in traditional Chinese "five-spice powder
Star anise
The reason black pepper makes people sneeze is that it contains this irritating compound.
Piperine
This French spice mix includes parsley, chives, tarragon, and chervil
Fines herbes
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxation, but colonists also boycotted this popular spice, often imported from the West Indies.
Sugar