Herbs and spices are natural flavor enhancers that can even come with some health benefits! If you’ve ever been down the herb and spice aisle at the grocery store, you’re already aware of just how many herbs and spices are out there! What are the most popular herbs and spices?
Some of the most popular herbs and spices are:
- Basil
- Black pepper
- Cilantro
- Cinnamon
- Dill
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Thyme
What types of flavors do these herbs and spices provide, and how can you best utilize them? We’ll answer those questions and more below!
10 most popular herbs and spices
If you ask ten different people, you’ll get ten different answers for their top 10 herbs and spices. There are other lineups of popular herbs and spices that will be different than ours, but we’re including ten of the more popular herbs and spices – which doesn’t necessarily mean these are definitively THE top ten! So take this with a grain of salt…(which isn’t an herb or spice, BTW!)
1. Basil
Basil is an especially popular herb in Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Basil is unique in that it pairs well with both sweet AND savory dishes. For instance, basil is the herb in pesto, a popular sauce that also contains garlic, cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil, but you can also find recipes for basil ice cream.
Basil’s flavor is sweet and slightly spicy with notes of mint and pepper. You can easily find it fresh or opt for dried basil leaves for a longer shelf life.
2. Black pepper
What is almost always on tables at restaurants besides salt? Yep – black pepper. Whether you grind it fresh or go for black pepper flakes, pepper is a versatile spice that adds a bit of heat without being overly spicy.
Unlike other spicy spices, black pepper doesn’t have a Scoville heat rating because it doesn’t contain capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers like jalapenos and habaneros spicy. Instead, black pepper gets its bite from a compound called piperine.
3. Cilantro
Did you know that the leaves of the coriander plant (the same one the spice coriander seeds come from) are cilantro? That’s why cilantro is sometimes called coriander leaves instead!
Cilantro is a popular garnish in Mexican cuisine with its fresh citrus flavor and subtle notes of pepper. Cilantro is also used in Mediterranean dishes and pairs well with vegetables, meat, and other herbs and spices like basil, dill, garlic, and ginger.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is incredibly popular as a spice used in both sweet and savory dishes. Its subtly spicy, warming and citrusy flavor is a popular ingredient for breakfast cereals and bars, drinks like pumpkin spice lattes, and is a common ingredient in popular spice blends like Garam masala and Chinese Five Spice Powder.
5. Dill
Another popular herb in Mediterranean cuisine, dill weed is well-known for its ability to pair well with fish. Like coriander, the dill plant (Anethum graveolens) is used as both an herb and a spice. The leaves (dill weed) are an herb while the seeds are used as a spice.
6. Onion powder
Onions are a vegetable, but onion powder is used as a spice culinary-wise. Onion powder is one of the most popular spices because of its versatile flavor that can be added to virtually any type of savory dish. If you opt to use onion powder instead of whole onions, one tablespoon of ground powder is roughly the same as one medium onion.
7. Oregano
You’ll find oregano in all things Italian from Italian seasoning to pasta dishes like lasagna. Oregano has a slightly bitter and spicy flavor but isn’t “hot” like peppers. Part of the reason oregano is so popular in Italian dishes is because it pairs wonderfully with tomatoes which are the base for both pizza and pasta sauces.
8. Parsley
Parsley looks very similar to cilantro, so the two can be easily mistaken. According to the Food Network, parsley is more hardy than cilantro and can hold up to heat better. In addition, parsley is used as a garnish like cilantro, but you can tell the difference based on the appearance of the leaves. Cilantro has a bit thinner, serrated leaves while parsley’s leaves are pointed at the ends.
There are two types of parsley: curly and flat leaf. They’re the same thing, though – they share the botanical name Petroselinum crispum. Many people opt for flat-leaf parsley because it’s easier to clean since dirt and water don’t get trapped in the curly leaves.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is a versatile herb that tastes how it looks – a bit piney! Its needle-like leaves are easy to distinguish from other herbs, and in addition to tasting woodsy, it has notes of citrus and mint.
Rosemary pairs well with oily fish and meat and is one of the staple herbs in Mediterranean dishes.
10. Thyme
Along with rosemary, thyme is a versatile herb used in a variety of dishes. It has a sweeter, less bitter flavor compared to rosemary and is commonly included in Italian seasoning blends. Thyme can add flavor to vegetables, meats, soups, pasta, and more!
Other popular herbs and spices
Some additional herbs and spices that are frequently used include:
- Bay leaves
- Chives
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Ginger
- Mint
- Paprika
- Vanilla (it’s a spice!)
FAQs:
Vanilla comes from the seeds of the pods of the vanilla bean orchid, which classifies it as a spice! As you’re likely well aware already, vanilla isn’t spicy and is a popular ingredient in sweets like cookies, cakes, and many other sweet treats and drinks.
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