885+ Herbs And Spices That Start With A To Z

The world of culinary arts is one of kaleidoscopic flavors, where every ingredient has the potential to transform a dish. Standing prominently in this flavor panorama are herbs and spices, nature’s little powerhouses, that elevate ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences. From the aromatic allure of Anise to the zesty zing of Za’atar, every letter of the alphabet introduces us to a unique botanical blend or single spice that carries a legacy of culture, history, and taste.

This article aspires to be your comprehensive compendium, guiding you on a flavorful journey from A to Z, unraveling the stories, uses, and significance of each herb and spice. Perfect for the culinary curious, the seasoned chef, or the gastronomic geographer, let’s embark on this aromatic adventure, discovering the diverse and delicious dimensions of our spice shelf, one letter at a time!

Herbs And Spices That Start With The Letter A To Z

Throughout history, herbs and spices have played pivotal roles in our lives. Beyond mere culinary use, they’ve been used in religious rituals, medicinal practices, and as currency. However, in modern kitchens, herbs and spices primarily serve as essential ingredients that can make or break a dish. This comprehensive guide offers a journey from A to Z, showcasing the incredible diversity of flavors that herbs and spices bring to our tables.

A: Allspice

Despite its name suggesting a blend, allspice is a single spice that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It’s derived from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, native to the Caribbean and Central America.

B: Basil

A favored herb in Italian and Southeast Asian cuisine, basil’s sweet, slightly peppery flavor pairs wonderfully with tomatoes, fresh cheeses, and fruits.

C: Cilantro

Also known as coriander in some places, cilantro has a citrusy and somewhat divisive taste. While some adore its fresh vibrancy, others liken its flavor to soap.

D: Dill

With its delicate, feathery leaves, dill offers a grassy taste with a hint of aniseed. It’s often paired with fish, potatoes, and pickles.

E: Eucalyptus

Often found in teas and natural remedies, eucalyptus isn’t commonly used in mainstream cooking due to its strong medicinal flavor, but it’s prized for its health benefits.

F: Fennel

With a licorice-like taste, fennel can be used both as a vegetable and a spice. The seeds are often found in sausages, bread, and some curry blends.

G: Ginger

Warm and slightly sweet, ginger can be used fresh, dried, or ground. It’s a staple in Asian cuisine, baked goods, and beverages.

H: Horseradish

This root has a pungent and spicy flavor, often grated into sauces or used as a condiment with roast beef or seafood.

I: Italian Seasoning

A blend rather than a single herb, Italian seasoning typically combines oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, capturing the essence of Italian cooking.

J: Juniper Berries

With a tart and slightly piney flavor, juniper berries are key in making gin and are often used to season game meats.

K: Kaffir Lime Leaves

Common in Southeast Asian cuisine, these leaves give a tangy and aromatic flair to curries and soups.

L: Lavender

With its floral notes, lavender is used sparingly in baking and desserts. It pairs particularly well with honey and berries.

M: Marjoram

A relative of oregano but with a milder and sweeter flavor, marjoram is often used in Mediterranean dishes.

N: Nutmeg

Sweet and nutty, nutmeg is commonly used in desserts, beverages like eggnog, and in some savory dishes.

O: Oregano

A pungent herb with a peppery note, oregano is essential in Italian and Greek cuisine, often sprinkled over pizzas and salads.

P: Paprika

Derived from dried peppers, paprika can range from sweet to hot. It’s a staple in Hungarian cuisine and gives a beautiful red hue to dishes.

Q: Quatre épices

French for “four spices”, this blend typically includes white pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. It’s used in stews, soups, and sausages.

R: Rosemary

Woody and evergreen, rosemary has a robust flavor. It pairs well with lamb, potatoes, and bread.

S: Sage

With its fuzzy leaves, sage offers a pungent and slightly peppery taste, often used in stuffing and to season meats.

T: Thyme

A versatile herb with tiny leaves, thyme is subtle and pairs with almost anything from meats to veggies to sauces.

U: Uva Ursi

While not commonly used in culinary dishes, uva ursi, also known as bearberry, is sometimes used in herbal teas.

V: Vanilla

Extracted from orchid pods, vanilla is sweet and aromatic, essential for many desserts and baked goods.

W: White Pepper

Milder than black pepper, white pepper is ground from ripened pepper berries with the outer husk removed. It’s often used in light-colored dishes.

X: Xanthan Gum

Though not a spice or herb in the traditional sense, xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent in many culinary applications.

Y: Yarrow

An ancient herb, yarrow is sometimes used in teas and salads. It has a slightly bitter taste and is more common in herbal medicine than in cooking.

Z: Za’atar

A Middle Eastern blend, za’atar combines sumac, sesame seeds, and herbs. It’s delicious sprinkled on flatbreads, salads, or meats.

List of Herbs And Spices Starting with A to Z

A

Aak	Acerola	Acetylcysteine
Achiote	Aconite	Adhapushpi
Adobo	Adrak	Africa Pepper
African Blue Basil	African Mango	Agaru
Agastya	Aghada	Agiya Ghas
Agnimantha	Agrimony	Ahiphena
Ajmoda	Ajwain	Akarkara
Akash Bail	Akebia	Akhrot
Albaca	Alder Buckthorn	Aleppo Pepper
Alfalfa	Allspice	Almonds
Aloe Vera	Alsi	Amalaki
Amaltas	Amaranth	Amaretto
Ambrosia	Amchoor	Amchur
American Beech	American Cranesbill	American Ginseng
American Nightshade	American Poplar	American Spikenard
Amethyst	Amla	Amlika
Amrud	Anantmool	Ancho Chile Peppers
Angelica	Angoor	Angurshafa
Anise	Anise Star	Anjeer
Anklodya	Ankol	Annatto
Annise	Anthemis	Apamarg
Aparajita	Apple Cinnamon	Apricot
Apricot & Peach Kernels	Aragano	Aralia
Aralu	Argan Oil	Arjuna
Arka	Arni	Arnica
Arrowroot	Artichoke	Asafetida
Asafoetida	Ashoka	Ashwagandha
Assam Tea	Asthma Weed	Astragalus
Astragalus Propinquus	Astralagus	Atibala
Atibrihatpahala	Atis	Atmagupta
Autumn Crocus	Avena Sativa	Avocado
Ayapan

B

Babchis	Bael	Bahupatra
Bakuchi	Balmonys	Balsam Fir
Balsam Weed	Balti Masala	Balti Stir Fry Mix
Bamboo Mushrooms	Bamieh	Banana Pepper
Barbecue	Barberry	Barley
Basil	Bay Leaf	Bayberry
Bazil	Bearded Darnel	Bear’S Foot
Bear’S Garlic	Beccabunga	Bee Balm
Beetroot	Belladonna	Beni Shoga
Bennet	Berbere Spice	Bergamot
Beth Root	Bhallataka	Bhanga
Bharangi	Bhojpatra	Bhringraj
Bhumi Amla	Bibhitaki	Biennial Herbs
Bilberry	Biotin	Birch
Bird’S Eye Chili	Bird’S Tongue	Bistort
Bistro Mushroom	Bitter Ash	Bitter Melon
Bitterroot	Bittersweet	Black Alder
Black Birch	Black Cardamom	Black Cohosh
Black Cumin	Black Currant Tea	Black Fungus
Black Garlic Cloves	Black Garlic Powder	Black Horehound
Black Mustard	Black Pepper	Black Root
Black Sampson	Black Sanicle	Black Trumpet Mushrooms
Blackwort	Bladderwrack	Blade Mace
Blazei Brazilian Cap Mushrooms	Blessed Thistle	Blood Root
Blue Cohosh	Blue Flag	Blue Sanding Sugar
Blue Violet	Blueberry	Bobea
Bogbean	Boldo	Boneset
Bonmethi	Borage	Boswellia Serrata
Bouquet Garni	Brahmi	Brazil Nuts
Brbrtestzoompart Chili	Bridewort	Brier Hip
Brihati	Broccoli	Broom
Brown Mustard	Brown Pepper	Brown Sugar, Dark
Brown Sugar, Granulated	Brtestlocatesync – Test Product	Buchu
Bugle	Bugleweed	Burdock
Burdock Root	Burnet	Butcher’S Broom
Butterbur	Butternut

C

Cabbage	Cajeput	Calabrese Chili
Calamint	Calendula	California Bay
California Poppy	Camomile	Canker Root
Cannabis	Caraway	Cardamom
Carob	Carpenters Square	Cascabel Chile Peppers
Cascara Sagrada	Case Wort	Cashews
Cassia	Cassia Bark	Cassia Bud
Caster Sugar	Catmint	Catnip
Cats Claw	Cat’S Foot	Cauliflower Mushroom
Cayenne	Cayenne Pepper	Cedarwood
Celery	Celery Leaf	Centaury
Ceylon Tea	Chakshushaya	Chamomile
Chamomint Tea	Champignon White Button Mushrooms	Chandan
Changeri	Chanterelle Mushrooms	Charoli
Chaste Tree	Chayote	Cherries
Chervil	Chervilcorriandor	Chickpeas
Chickweed	Chicory	Chile
Chili	Chiltepin Pepper	Chimichurri Blend
China Star	Chipotle	Chipotle Chile Peppers
Chirayata	Chitrak	Chive
Chlorella	Chocolate Mint	Christmas Peppercorn Blend
Cicely	Cilantro	Cilantro Flakes
Cinnamin	Cinnamomum Cassia	Cinnamon
Cinnamon Apricot Tisane	Cinnamon Bark	Cinnamon Basil
Cinnamon, Ceylon	Cinnomin	Cinquefoil
Cissus Quadrangularis	Citrus & Ginger Spice Blend	Citrus Chamomile Tea
Citrus Green Tea	Clary Sage	Cleavers
Clove	Cobalt	Cobra’S Saffron
Cocoa	Cocoa Beans	Cocoa Nibs
Coffee Chile Spice Rub	Coffee Senna	Cola
Collagen	Collard	Colloidal Silver
Colocynth	Colombo Powder	Coltsfoot
Comfrey	Common Buckthorn	Common Daisy
Common Rue	Common Wormwood	Convallaria
Coral Root	Cordifolia	Coriander
Corn Husks	Cornsilk	Costmary
Costus	Cotula	Couchgrass
Cramp Bark	Cranberry	Cream
Cream Of Tartar	Creeping Red Thyme	Creosote Bush
Cuban Oregano	Cubeb Pepper	Cumin
Curcuma	Curdwort	Curly Leaf Parsley
Curly Mint	Curry Leaf	Curry Madras Medium
Cyan Pepper	Cypress

D

Daikon	Dalchini	Damiana
Dandelion	Danti	Daruharidra
Devdaru	Devil’S Claw	Dhaniya
Dhansak Spice Mix	Dhataki	Dhattura
Dice	Digitalis Lanata	Dijon
Dill Herb	Dill Leaf	Dill Pollen
Dill Weed	Dittany Of Crete	Dong Quai
Dope	Dronapushpi	Dukkah

E

Earl Grey Tea	Echinacea	Echinacea Purpurea
Elephant Garlic	Eleuthero	Elichi
Endives	Enoki Mushrooms	Epazote
Ephedra	Eranda	Espinaca
Eucalipto	Eucalyptus	Eucalyptus Globules
Euphrasia	European Mushroom Blend

F

Fajita	False Unicorn	Far East Rub
Farro	Fennel	Fenugreek Leaf
Feverfew	Fines Herbes	Fino Verde
Floral Spires Lavender	Fo Ti Root	Fondant And Icing Sugar
Forest Mushroom Blend	Fo-Ti-Tieng	Four Peppercorn Blend
Foxglove	Frankincense	French Lavender
French Mustard And Herb Blend	Fresh Basil	Fresh Mint
Fries

G

Galangal	Gambhari	Gandha Prasarini
Garam Masal	Garam Masala	Garcinia Cambogia
Gardenia	Garlic	Genovese Basil
Geranium	Geraniums	German Chamomile
Germander	Ghost Chili Pepper Powder	Ghost Pepper
Ginger	Ginkgo	Ginseng
Goat’S Rue	Goji Berry	Gokshura
Golden Rod	Golden Seal	Goraksh
Gotu Kola	Grains Of Paradise	Gram Masala
Grapefruit	Grapefruit Powder	Greek Columnar Basil
Greek Oregano	Green Basil	Green Cardamom
Green Chillies	Green Onion	Green Peppercorns
Green Peppers	Green Serrano Chile Powder	Green Tea
Ground Cinnamon	Ground Nutmeg	Ground Vanilla Beans
Guajillo Chile Powder	Guajillo Chiles	Guarana
Guduchi	Guggul	Gumbo File
Gumbo File Powder	Gunpowder Green Tea	Gurmar

H

Habanero Pepper	Hadjod	Harissa
Harissa Spice Blend	Haritaki	Hashish
Hawthorn	Herbal Chai Tea	Hibiscus
Hingu	Hollyhock	Holy Basil
Horehound	Horse Chestnut	Horseradish
Horseradish Powder	Horsetail	Hot Paprika
Hot Pepper	Hydrangea	Hyssop

I

Immortalitea	India Bay Leaf	Indian Borage
Indian Curry	Indian Herbs	Indian Vanilla Beans
Indrajao	Ingwer	Irish Breakfast Blend
Italian Herb	Italian Large Leaf	Italian Oregano
Italian Spice

J

Jalapeno Chili Powder	Jalapeno Powder	Jalfrezi Curry Powder
Jalfrezi Mix	Jamaican Jerk	Jaman
Jambalaya Spice	Jamun	Japanese Yellow Curry Powder
Japones Chile Peppers	Jasmine	Jasmine Pearls
Jasmine Tea	Jatamansi	Jatiphala
Jeeraka	Jerky	Johnny Jump Up
Jojoba	Juniper Berries	Juniperus
Jyotishmati

K

Kabsa Spice Mix	Kachnar	Kadamb
Kaffir Leaves	Kaffir Lime	Kalamata Olive
Karavira	Karkatshringi	Kasani
Kaunch Beej	Kelp	Kesar
Ketak	Khadira	Khurasani Ajwain
Kice	King Trumpet Mushrooms, Sliced	Kiratatikta
Korean Black Garlic	Korean Red Chili Pepper	Korma Curry Powder
Koshamra	Krab	Kshavak
Kukicha Twig Tea	Kupilu	Kushmanda
Kushta	Kutaja

L

Lal Mirch	Large Leaf Nufar	Latakaranja
Laurel	Lavanga	Lavender
Lemon Grass	Lemon Mint Tea	Lemon Peel
Lemon Spice	Lemon Thyme	Lemon Variegated Thyme
Lemon Verbena	Lemongrass	Lemonpepper
Leopard’S Bane	Lice	Licorice
Licorice Root	Liferoot	Lime
Lime Juice Powder	Lime Leaves	Lime Peel, Granulated (Granules)
Lime Zest	Lion’S Mane Mushrooms	Liquorice
Liquorice Root	Lobster Mushrooms	Lodhra
Long Pepper	Lovage	Lungwort
Luya

M

Macadamia	Mace Ground	Madanaphala
Maitake Mushrooms	Makoy	Makrut Lime Leaves
Mameera	Mandarin	Manjistha
Maple Sugar	Maricha	Marigold
Marjoram	Marshmallow	Marshmallow Root
Massaman Curry Mix	Matsutake Mushrooms	Medasaka
Mediterranean Spice Blend	Menta	Merica
Methi	Milk Thistle	Minced Onion
Mint	Mistletoe	Mojito Mint
Molasses Powder	Molasses, Granulated	Morel Mushrooms
Moringa	Moroccan Mint Green Tea	Moroccan Spice
Mother Thyme	Motherwort	Mousseron Mushrooms
Muchkund	Mugwort	Mulato Chile Peppers
Mulled Cider Spices	Mulled Wine Spices	Mullein
Mulling Spices	Mushroom Jungle Blend	Mushrooms
Muskat	Mustaka	Mustard
Myrhh	Myrtle Herb

N

Nagabala	Nagkesar	Nameko Mushrooms
Narikel	Nasturtium	Nat
Neelini	Neem	Neroli
Nettle	Nigella	Nirgundi
Nora Chile Peppers	Northwoods Mushroom Blend	Nosegays
Nutmeg

O

Oak	Oats	Ocra
Olida	Onion	Oolong Tea
Orange Thyme	Orange Zest	Oregana
Oregano	Oregon	Oregon Grape Root
Oyster Mushrooms

P

Paddy Straw Mushrooms	Padmaka	Palasha
Palmarosa	Paminta	Pandan Leaf
Paparika	Papita	Paribhadra
Parpata	Parsley	Partridge Berry
Passionberry Fruit Tisane	Patala	Patchouli
Patola	Pennyroyal	Peppercorn
Peppermint	Peprika	Pequin Chiles
Perejil	Perennial Herbs	Periwinkle
Pickling Spice	Pimento	Pippali
Plandu	Plantain	Plectranthus Amboinicus
Pleurisy Root	Png Planifolia Vanilla Beans	Poke Root
Pomegranate	Porcini Mushroom Rub	Porcini Powder
Portabella Mushrooms	Portulaca	Pot Marjoram
Poudre De Colombo	Prickly Ash	Primrose
Prince’S Pine	Prishniparni	Psyllium
Punarnava	Purple	Pushkarmool
Puya Chile Peppers

Q

Quatre Épices

R

Racoon	Ragwort	Rai
Rajeeka	Ramen	Ras El Hanout
Rasona	Raspberry	Red Chili Flakes
Red Clover	Red Curry	Red Raspberry
Red Rosie	Red Rubin	Red Ruffles Basil
Red Sanding Sugar	Reishi	Reishi Mushrooms
Rendang Curry Mix	Ribwort Plantain	Roasted Garlic
Rogan Josh Curry Powder	Rogan Josh Mix	Romero
Rooibos Tea	Rosary Pea	Rose Baie
Rosehip	Rosemerry	Rosewood
Rosmary	Rue

S

Safflower	Saffron	Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms
Sage	Salad Burnet	Salad Leaf
Samoan Vanilla Beans	Santolina	Saptaparna
Saracha	Sarpagandha	Sasparilla
Sassafras	Saunf	Savory
Saw Palmetto	Sazon	Scallions
Scorpion Pepper	Scotch Bonnet Pepper	Scullcap
Sea Buckthorn	Seasame	Seawrack
Senecio Vulgaris	Senna	Sesame
Shallot	Shallots	Shalmali
Shalparni	Shankhpushpi	Sharpunkha
Shatapushpa	Shatavari	Sheep’S Sorrel
Shepherd’S Purse	Shichimi Togarashi	Shigru
Shiitake	Shleshmatak	Shyonak
Siberian Ginseng	Sichuan	Silver Thyme
Silverweed	Skullcap	Slippery Elm
Smoked Peppercorn Sage Rub	Solomon’S Seal	Sorrel
Southernwood	Spanish Rice Blend	Spearmint
Spicy Chilli	Spicy Globe	Spicy Pepper
Spirulina	Spruce	Sriracha Powder
Steak Mushroom Blend	Stevia	Stinging Nettle
Sudarshana	Sumac	Superfine Sugar
Sweet Basil	Sweet Bay	Sweet Chili
Sweet Cicely	Sweet Grass	Sweet Laurel
Sweet Mammoth	Sweet Marjoram	Sweet Woodruff
Szechuan Peppercorns

T

Tabasco	Tagine	Talisa Patra
Tamarind	Tansy	Tapioca
Tarragon	Tea Tree	Tejohva
Tellicherry Peppercorns, Black	Teragon	Teriyaki
Thai Basil	Tilparnni	Timjan
Tribulus Terrestris	Triple Berry Tea	Trivrit
Tulsi	Turbinado Sugar	Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turmeric	Tuvaraka

U

Udsaleev	Udumbara	Unicorns
Union	Uppu	Urbs
Urfa Biber Pepper Flakes	Ushira	Ustukhuddus
Uva Ursi

V

Vacha	Vadouvan Spice	Valentina
Valerian	Vanilla Bean	Variegated Basil
Varuna	Vasaka	Vatsanabha
Vegemite	Verbena	Vervain
Vidanga	Vijaysar	Vitex

W

Wasabi	Watercress	White Mustard
White Peony Root	White Pepper	White Peppercorns
White Pomegranate Tea	White Poppy	White Sanding Sugar
White Tea	White Water Lily	Wild Berry Tea
Wild Carrot	Wild Cherry	Wild Yam
Willow	Winter Savory	Wintergreen
Wiri Wiri Chili Powder	Wiri Wiri Peppers	Witch Hazel
Wood Betony	Wood Ear Mushrooms	Woodruff
Wooly Thyme	Worcestershire Sauce Powder	Wormwood

X

Xanthan Gum

Y

Yarrow	Yashtimadhu	Yavasa
Yellow Dock	Yellow Gentian	Yerba Santa
Ylang Ylang	Yohimbe	Yucca

Z

Zaatar Spice

Zedoary

Conclusion

From the familiar to the exotic, the world of herbs and spices is a testament to human culinary creativity. They bring depth, character, and memories to our dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, there’s always a new flavor to explore, a new dish to perfect. Let this guide be an inspiration for your next culinary journey. Happy cooking!