Essential ingredients for any kitchen, whether on a domestic or commercial scale, spices add flavor, depth, complexity and soul to a huge range of dishes from all over the world. But, with culinary trends changing often, if you want to make sure you’re taking advantage of the best spices when cooking for yourself, your family, your friends, or your customers, it’s important to know which ones are shaping the gastronomic landscape of today.
To help you create the tastiest dishes with the most heart, here are 10 of the world’s most popular spices in the world:
- Black pepper
Rarely has this classic spice gone out of fashion, although some cuisines use it more generously and more often than others. Loved for its pungent, sharp kick, it’s great for enhancing soups, salads, and sandwiches, and for seasoning steaks and other meats. With its distinct flavor profile, it is also believed to help with digestion and improve the way in which our bodies absorb nutrients.
- Turmeric
Bright gold in color, and with its distinct earthy flavor, turmeric has seen an increase in popularity due to its widely acclaimed health benefits. Used in curries, stews and even smoothies, the active compound of turmeric, curcumin, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Paprika
From spicy and smoky, to vibrantly sweet, paprika is a popular spice in many parts of the world. From being dusted over dishes to stirred into sauces, this spice with its fiery color adds visual appeal and a depth of flavor to all manner of dishes.
- Cumin
With a profile that’s comfortingly warm and aromatic, cumin is an essential spice of many cuisines, including Indian, Latin American and middle Eastern, and can be ground down into a blend, or toasted whole. With a distinctly nutty flavor, cumin is also known to promote weight loss and aid in digestion.
- Ginger
With medicinal properties aplenty, and a zesty, refreshing flavor, ginger is one of the most versatile spices in the world that is used for wellness and culinary purposes. Brew it in your tea, grate it into a stir-fry, or add it to baked goods for a wonderfully vibrant hint to a multitude of dishes and drinks.
- Garlic
Whether you mince it, slice it, roast it or use it in powder form, garlic and garlic powder adds depth to a wide array of dishes, sauces and marinades, while also offering support for the heart and immune system.
- Cardamom
With a flavor that’s both sweet and floral, while also being citrusy, cardamom is a captivating spice that can be steeped in tea, used to flavor any number of desserts, or ground into a spice blend. Its aromatic and distinctive touch makes a great addition to many culinary imaginings.
- Chili powder
Fiery and rich in flavor, many different global cuisines make use of chili powder in their dishes, but it is especially loved in countries like India and Mexico, who enjoy their food with a certain spice level!
- Coriander
Otherwise known as Cilantro, the citrusy and herbaceous notes of this plant and its seeds, make it a popular addition to many global dishes. Used in its whole seed form, pickled, ground into delicious spice blends or tossed into sauces and curries, it adds depth of flavor and vibrancy.
- Cinnamon
As one of the most popular spices of the entire world, cinnamon is loved in every corner of the globe, adding a sweet, warming aroma and flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
This whistlestop tour of the top spices in the world was designed to tantalize your tastebuds and encourage you to try out some new flavors. So, the next time you create a dish that lacks a certain ‘je ne sais quoi,’ why not pop to your local grocery store and stock up on some of the most delicious and popular spices in the world!