Spice
A spice is a plant-derived substance used mainly to flavour, colour, or preserve food.
A spice is a plant-derived substance used mainly to flavour, colour, or preserve food. Spices are typically obtained from seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or other non-leafy parts of plants, distinguishing them from herbs.
What it is
A spice is usually defined as a dried plant product used to add flavour, colour, or aroma to food. Common culinary classifications distinguish spices from herbs by source plant part, with herbs typically coming from leafy growth and spices from seeds, bark, roots, fruits, or buds.
Why it matters
Spices have been valued for centuries and were central to long-distance trade networks linking Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and later global markets. Their high value made them important commodities in exploration, commerce, and colonial expansion. In Canada, spices are a major part of everyday cooking, reflecting the country’s multicultural food traditions and global grocery trade.
Key details
Spices may be sold whole, ground, crushed, or otherwise processed before use. Familiar examples include black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, and turmeric. Beyond cooking, spices have also been used in traditional medicine, cosmetics, perfume making, incense, and religious rituals.
In short
- Spices are plant substances used chiefly in cooking for flavour and aroma.
- They are generally distinguished from herbs by the plant parts used.
- Spices have played important roles in trade and global history.
- Common examples include cinnamon, cloves, pepper, cumin, and nutmeg.
Spices are a major part of everyday cooking in Canada, reflecting the country’s multicultural food traditions and global grocery trade.
Quick questions
What is a spice?
How is a spice different from an herb?
Do spices have uses outside cooking?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpiceSupports: General definition of spice, distinction from herbs, forms, and non-culinary uses.
- HarperCollins — https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-encyclopedia-of-spices-and-herbs-padma-lakshmiSupports: Examples of culinary uses, histories, and cooking advice associated with spices and herbs.
- Google Play Books / Bloomsbury Publishing USA — https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Encyclopedia_of_Spices_and_the_Spice_Trade_History?id=Hl15EQAAQBAJ&hl=en_USSupports: Historical and cultural significance of spices, including trade, cuisine, medicine, and geopolitics.
- Padma Lakshmi — https://www.padmalakshmi.com/encyclopedia-of-herbs-and-spicesSupports: Description of a broad alphabetical guide covering spices, herbs, histories, and cooking suggestions.