If you have ever had a licorice stick, then you already know what fennel seeds taste like. With its mild and enigmatic flavor, it often invites comparisons to anise. It is also used in many savory dishes, and is a common ingredient in sausages. In fact, even a bit of fennel seed added to a stew can make it seem to have more meat than it actually does.
Cayenne is of course suitable for use in a variety of savory dishes. It is an excellent addition to hummus and other bean dishes, and it gives a nice zing to a tub of popcorn. It can even be sprinkled over a rich, dark chocolate drink, giving it an added bit of heat at the end
Cardamom isnt quite as familiar as most of the other spices mentioned here But there is a good chance that you have already tasted it without even knowing what it was With its distinctively sweetspicy flavor it is perfectly suited to a variety of desserts and sweets Cardamom is actually a pretty expensive spice which is probably why it isnt as common as other spices The good news is that you dont really need a lot to impart its unique flavor characteristics to what youre cooking Cardamom is believed to have cancerfighting properties It is also used to provide relief from asthma and to prevent the action of harmful microbes
Cumin is derived from the seeds of the Apiaceae family of plants. Sold in whole and powdered form, it is a common ingredient in the dishes of the Mediterranean and India, where the plant grows natively. The aroma of cumin is quite distinctive. Rich, earthy, and smoky, it is easily recognizable as the primary aromatic component of many types of chili preparations. It is also used in soups and stews, and a number of Brazilian, Indian, and South Asian dishes. Cumin is thought to increase metabolism and bolster the immune system.
Paprika
Ginger is actually the root or rhizome of the Zingiber officinale plant. A fragrant spice, it has a tangy flavor that can leave a bit of heat in the back of the mouth. It is a common ingredient in many Asian dishes, and is also a mainstay in Western sweets and desserts. Ginger is drunk either as the sole ingredient in ginger tea, or mixed with other tea leaf varieties.
Tamarind is a sour fruit harvested from the Fabaceae tree, which is indigenous to Africa. The fruit has a characteristic pod-like appearance, which contains several seeds wrapped in fleshy pulp. Tamarind is of course used in many African dishes. But it is also a popular ingredient in the cuisines of Latin America and Asia, where the fruit is used to impart its distinctive sourness to soups and sauces. Tamarind is a natural laxative, and it is known to provide relief from fever. Some people even gargle a solution made from steeped tamarind in order to ease the discomfort from sore throats.
Nutmeg is an earthy, fragrant, and flavorful spice that works equally well in desserts and savory dishes. It is derived from the seeds of the Myristica plant, and its nutty flavor often invites comparisons to cinnamon. Eggnog is of course what most people in the West sprinkle nutmeg into. But it is also a popular ingredient in Indian and Indonesian food. In the Caribbean, it isnâ??t unusual to find drinks flavored with this spice.
Turmeric is a key ingredient in Indian curry powder which typically has the spices characteristic orangeyellow tinge It is derived from the boiled and dried rhizomes of the turmeric plant The flavor of turmeric is a bit difficult to pin down Slightly bitter with a bit of spiciness it has an earthy character that isnt to everyones taste Nevertheless it is commonly used as a flavoring for entrees and it is even brewed into tea
Cinnamon is commonly sold in powder form. You could also purchase cinnamon sticks, which are actually rolled-up pieces of bark obtained from trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is a pretty popular spice all over the world, with various cultures utilizing it in some form. With its distinctively woody and sweet-spicy flavor, it is a great addition to cereals, beverages, desserts, and even entrees. Traditional Mexican chocolate drinks typically contain cinnamon, as do savory dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Peppercorns definitely deserve a spot on this list Ground pepper is of course one of the most common and most ubiquitous spices of allso much so that it often fails to get the attention it deserves But peppercorns definitely belong way up there in the pantheon of spices and most every cuisine in the world would taste pretty bland without it Peppercorns come in a few different colors although they are all from the same plant Like most fruits they initially start out green turning a bright shade of red as they ripen The black peppercorns that are the most common types you see everywhere are simply the dried cooked fruits of the plant They are the most flavorful by far and they are practically inseparable from salt on many a dinner table You may have also seen white peppercorns These are simply black peppercorns with the skins removed They can be almost as spicy as their skinned counterparts but they are generally less pungent White pepper is typically used in lightcolored dishes where the dark flecks of ground black pepper might be deemed unsightly
Mangoes
Bananas
Cantalope
Pumpkins
Melon
Watermelon
Pomegranate
Persimmons
Strawberries
