Spices have a long and rich history dating back thousands of years. Throughout history, spices have been treasured for their ability to add flavor and aroma to food, as well as their use for medicinal purposes. Many cultures and civilizations across the globe have valued spices both for culinary and economic reasons. Even wars have been waged in the pursuit of spices.
Today, spices continue to be a ubiquitous part of cuisine around the world. They are incorporated into dishes from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. Spices can turn a bland meal into an explosion of flavor. Whether they are dried, fresh, or powdered, spices make food more exciting and pleasurable to eat.
When we talk about spices, there are a few that seem to stand above the rest in popularity and common use. These pillars of spice include black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, oregano, paprika, and more. While there are dozens, if not hundreds, of spices used globally, these 13 spices seem to have cemented themselves as essential ingredients.
The 13 Most Popular Spices
Here are the 13 most popular spices that are widely used both in everyday cooking and in numerous global cuisines:
- Black Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Cayenne Pepper
- Curry Powder
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Cardamom
- Turmeric
- Coriander
- Nutmeg
These spices provide a diverse range of flavors, aromas, and health benefits. They add life to dishes from all corners of the world, making them essential to any well-stocked pantry. Let’s explore each of these 13 popular spices in more depth.
1. Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. It comes from peppercorns, the dried berries of the pepper plant Piper nigrum. It has a sharp, pungent, and mildly spicy flavor that provides a subtle heat. Freshly ground black pepper packs the most aroma and robust flavor.
Black pepper is versatile enough to use with just about any savory dish, from meats to vegetables. It is popularly paired with salt as a classic seasoning duo. It’s also a key ingredient in famous spice blends like garam masala, ras el hanout, and five spice powder. The piperine compound in black pepper gives it some anti-inflammatory properties as well.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a sweet, warm, and aromatic spice derived from the inner bark of tropical evergreen trees of the Cinnamomum genus. Whole cinnamon sticks can be used to infuse flavors during cooking, and ground cinnamon is perfect for sprinkling on desserts and baked goods.
This spice is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols that offer some potential health benefits. Cinnamon goes well with both sweet and savory dishes ranging from curries to cookies. It is especially delicious paired with fruits like apples. The major producers of cinnamon include Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
3. Cumin
Cumin is an intensely flavored spice made from the dried and ground seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant. It has an earthy, nutty, spicy flavor and is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, and Mexican dishes. Cumin is commonly used in chili, curries, stews, soups, and rice or meat dishes.
Cumin seeds can be dry roasted before grinding to intensify their flavor. Cumin pairs well with beans, lentils, vegetables, and roast meats. It adds deep flavor with its toasty, layered notes. This versatile spice contains antioxidants and also shows potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a herbaceous and flavorful spice made from the dried leaves of the Origanum vulgare plant. It has a bold, aromatic profile with notes of grass, hay, and a subtle citrus flavor. Oregano is essential to Mediterranean cuisine and is a primary ingredient in pizza, pasta, and salad dressings.
This zesty, pungent spice can be used dried or fresh. Oregano goes well with everything from vegetables, meats, and fish to cheeses, breads, and eggs. It pairs especially well with tomatoes, lemon, and olive oil. In addition to being delicious, oregano contains antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
5. Paprika
Paprika is made from dried and finely ground red peppers. It comes in many varieties ranging from mild and sweet to hot and smoky. Hungarian paprika and Spanish paprika are two of the most common types. The flavor of paprika can range from peppery to earthy and mildly spicy.
Paprika is used to add vibrant red-orange color and subtle flavor to dishes. A little goes a long way to provide color without excessive heat. It’s excellent with stews, rice, potatoes, fish, poultry, and vegetable dishes. Paprika pairs well with onion, garlic, sour cream, and tomatoes.
6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne peppers are hot chili peppers used dried and ground to make the fiery red spice known as cayenne powder or cayenne pepper. It has a scorching heat and adds a spicy kick to dishes ranging from cajun and creole to Indian and Korean cuisines.
Cayenne pepper is made from different cultivars of capsicum annum peppers like jalapeños, serranos, and cayenne chili peppers. It brings a blazing heat and pungent fruity flavor to dips, rubs, marinades, and any dish that needs some spice. Cayenne stimulates appetite and also contains antioxidants like carotenoids.
7. Curry Powder
Curry powder is a spice blend that usually contains turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and red pepper. It can come in many variations with different ingredient combinations that provide a range of flavors from sweet to spicy. The mix of spices gives curry powder its vibrant golden yellow hue.
This versatile Indian spice blend can be used to add flavor and complexity to curries, stews, roasted vegetables, meats, and rice dishes. It’s also great for marinades and dressings. Curry powder contains health-promoting compounds including curcumin, cuminic acid, and capsaicin among others.
8. Ginger
Ginger comes from the gnarled underground root of the tropical flowering plant Zingiber officinale. It has a sharp, spicy, and lemony flavor. Ginger adds a bright pop to both sweet and savory dishes. It’s widely used in Asian cuisines and also works well in marinades, stir fries, teas, and sweets.
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, ground, candied, or pickled. It pairs nicely with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and scallions. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols and is said to aid digestion. The main producers of ginger include China, India, and Nigeria.
9. Garlic
Garlic comes from the pungent bulbs of the flowering plant Allium sativum. It has a strong, piquant flavor that is aromatic when raw but becomes more mellow and nutty when cooked. Garlic is related to onions, leeks, and shallots.
Garlic is used widely in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cuisines. It is indispensable for seasoning savory dishes. Garlic can be used minced, crushed, roasted whole, or pureed into a paste. It pairs well with most meats, fish, vegetables, and herbaceous spices.
In addition to providing big flavor, garlic offers various potential health benefits thanks to compounds like allicin and diallyl sulfides which give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Cardamom
Cardamom comes from the seeds contained within the fruit pods of Elettaria and Amomum plants in the ginger family. It has a complex flavor profile combining floral, citrusy, ginger, and mint notes. There are two main types – green and black cardamom.
Cardamom adds sweet aroma and flavor to both savory and sweet recipes. It’s popular in Indian cuisine and Scandinavian baked goods. Cardamom can be used whole in pods or removed from pods and ground. It goes well with creamy and caramel flavors and pairs nicely with vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nuts.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric is made from the dried underground stems (rhizomes) of the Curcuma longa plant. It has an earthy, bitter, slightly peppery flavor. The compounds in turmeric give it a vibrant golden yellow color.
Turmeric is a major ingredient in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s an essential component of curry powders and garam masala. Turmeric adds earthiness to stews, sautés, roasted veggies, and meat or fish dishes. It’s also used as a coloring agent in butters, cheeses, and condiments like mustard.
In addition to providing color and flavor, turmeric contains the powerful antioxidant curcumin which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
12. Coriander
Coriander comes from the round, beige seeds of the Coriandrum sativum plant. The leaves of the same plant are known as cilantro. As a spice, coriander seeds have a sweet, nutty citrus flavor profile. Ground coriander provides warm, subtle flavor.
Coriander works well in all types of cuisine ranging from Indian curries to German sausages. It also complements garlic, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and curry leaves. Coriander seeds can be used whole or ground. It’s delicious when paired with vegetables, lentils, breads, and chicken or fish.
13. Nutmeg
Nutmeg comes from the inner brown seed of Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree. It has a warm, sweet flavor with notes of cinnamon and cloves. When grated fresh, nutmeg provides the most robust aroma and flavor.
Nutmeg is popular in sweets and baked goods, adding a sweet yet spicy nuance. It’s also good in creamy dishes and works well with starchy foods like root vegetables, squash, and spinach. A little nutmeg goes a long way to provide flavor without being overpowering.
In addition to being delicious, nutmeg contains antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. The majority of the world’s nutmeg supply comes from Indonesia.
Conclusion
While there are many more spices used around the world, these 13 have become global superstars. Their flavors have shaped cuisines across cultures for centuries. These spices provide uniqueness and complexity to both everyday and celebratory foods.
Beyond amazing flavors, many of these spices offer health benefits thanks to their plant compounds and antioxidants. Spices make food taste great while boosting nutrition. Exploring new spices and spice combinations opens up a world of exciting possibilities in the kitchen. With a pantry stocked with these 13 essential spices, you’re sure create delicious dishes.
