35+ Types Of Spices With Pictures

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Last Updated on June 5, 2023 by Toya

Check out all the different types of spices that you can use, including sweet spices, hot spices, common spices, exotic spices, and spice mixtures.

If you’ve been cooking for any stretch of time, you know that spices and herbs are essential in making good food. 

Today, I’ll share the top 35 cooking spices that can take your food up a notch! 

What are spices?

A spice is part of a plant that is used to add flavor or color to cooking. A spice can either be seeds, root bark, powder, fruit, flower, or other plant material.

What are the 10 most popular spices?

Many different sauces have different answers to this question. But generally speaking, the most popular spices are black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, sesame seeds, nutmeg, cinnamon, chili powder, and vanilla beans.

What are the different types of spices?

  • Nutmeg
  • Mace
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Allspice
  • Cardamom
  • Coriander
  • Fennel
  • Vanilla beans 
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Black pepper 
  • White pepper 
  • Chipotle powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Ginger
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Paprika
  • Saffron
  • Black mustard seeds
  • Turmeric
  • Amchur powder
  • Chili powder
  • Garam Masala
  • Apple pie spice
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Chai spice mix 
  • Taco seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Curry powder
  • Fajita seasoning
  • Chinese five spice seasoning
  • Pickling spice
  • Southwest spice blend
  • Shimp seasoning
  • Pork rib rub seasoning 

All the different spices explained

Delicious sweet spices to add warm spicy notes

Nutmeg

nutmeg

Nutmeg is a sweet spice that comes in both a seed form and a powdered form. Nutmeg seeds are oval-shaped, wrinkled, and brown to grayish-brown in color. Nutmeg is a warm and aromatic spice that has a woody, slightly nutty, sweet flavor that is often used in sweet and savory recipes like eggnog, lasagna, sauces, meats, and many baked goods.

Family Myristicaceae family
Substitutes Mace, Cloves & Cinnamon, and other nutmeg substitutes
Form Powder & Whole seeds
Flavor Woody, slightly nutty & sweet
Uses Eggnog, bechamel sauce, curries, pasta, fruit cakes, muffins, spice blends

Mace

mace blades

Mace is a warm spice that comes in both blades and powdered form but is more popular as a powder. You can identify mace as reddish, yellowish, or brownish lacy coverings of the nutmeg seed.

Mace spice has a mild nutmeg flavor and is also warm, nutty, and intensely floral with lemon notes. It is used a lot in spice blends, curries, soups, and baked goods like old-fashioned donuts, vegetables, cream sauces, and more.

Family Myristicaceae family
Substitutes Nutmeg, Cloves, Cinnamon, and more mace substitutes
Form Powder & Lacey blades
Flavor Warm, nutty, intensely floral, with lemon notes
Uses Curries, spice blends, soups, cream sauces, baked goods

 

Cinnamon

cinnamon spice

Cinnamon is a sweet, aromatic spice made from tree bark. The cinnamon spice comes in many forms including whole cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, and cinnamon leaves which are significantly less popular. 

Cinnamon’s flavor is considered warm, sweet, spicy, and woody with slight notes of citrus.

It is the perfect spice for fall recipes and can work for baked goods, teas, stews, and curries, and it is often used in a long list of fall beverages including apple cider cocktails, cinnamon milk, hot chocolate, etc.

Family Laurel family
Substitutes Nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, and 5 more cinnamon alternatives
Form Powder & Tree bark
Flavor Warm, sweet, spicy, and woody with slight notes of citrus
Uses Teas, baked goods, spice blends, stews, curries

 

Cloves

whole cloves

Cloves are a type of sweet aromatic spice with a strong, woody smell and a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste on the tongue. They’re harvested from the immature flower buds of an evergreen tree and are reddish brown in color. Clove spice comes in the ground form or as whole cloves which look like small reddish to brown nails which are 2 centimeters in length with 4 spreading sepals and a bulbous top. 

Cloves are used for cooking hams during the Christmas season in spice blends, meat rubs, and teas, and even added to baked foods.

Family Myrtaceae or the myrtle family
Substitutes for cloves Nutmeg, allspice, cardamom & cinnamon
Form Powder & Whole cloves
Flavor Strong, woody, aromatic smell and a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste
Uses Ham, spice blends, teas, curries, sauces, and spiced baked goods

 

Allspice

whole allspice

Allspice is a sweet warming spice that smells like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and cloves hence its name. Allspice comes from a dried berry called Pimenta dioica that looks like a black peppercorn, albeit a little larger and is native to the West Indies and Central America. Due to its flavor, many people believe that allspice powder is a combination of all the sweet warm spices!

Allspice comes in both ground form, which is very popular and whole berries. This spice is best suited for sauces, baked goods, beverages, dressings, spice blends, pumpkin pies, glazes, and so much more.

Family Myrtle family or Myrtaceae family
Substitutes Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Pumpkin pie spice, Chinese five spice, this easy allspice recipe some other allspice subs
Form Powder & Whole berries
Flavor A combination of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper
Uses Sauces, baked goods, beverages, dressings, spice blends, pumpkin pies, and glazes

 

Cardamom

Another great sweet spice is cardamom. Cardamom has the appearance of small spindle-shaped green pods with thin green skin and black inner seeds. Cardamom has a complex aroma which I personally describe as spicy sweet and citrusy and has a minty, piney, floral sweet taste.

Cardamom comes in multiple forms including whole pods, ground powder, or shelled whole seeds.

This sweet spice is great for meats, curries, rice dishes, spice blends, and baked goods and pairs particularly well with citrus. 

Family Ginger family
Substitutes Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander seeds
Form Whole pods, ground powder, or shelled whole seeds
Flavor Spicy sweet and citrusy aroma and a minty, piney, floral sweet taste
Uses Meats, curries, rice dishes, spice blends, baked goods, and citrus

 

Coriander

Coriander is a sweet aromatic spice that comes from the coriander plant or cilantro plant. This spice comes from the seeds of the coriander plant which are dried and either sold whole or in a powdered form. 

When whole this spice has the appearance of round brown seeds that are light and soft, flat on one side and pointy on the other side. 

Coriander spice has a turpentine-like, green, herbal, earthy yet floral aroma and fresh citrus taste. however, many people don’t like this spice and say that it simply tastes like soap!

Coriander is great for marinades, sauces, curries, vegetables, doughs, drinks, pickles, and more. I love using coriander in my seafood spice blends too!

Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family
Substitutes Cumin, curry powder & Garam Masala
Form Powder & Whole seeds
Flavor Turpentine-like, green, herbal, earthy yet floral aroma and fresh citrus taste
Uses Marinades, sauces, curries, vegetables, doughs, drinks, pickles, and seafood spice blends

 

Vanilla beans 

Vanilla beans are long podlike fruits produced from the flower of the tropical orchid plant called Vanilla planifolia. The flavor of vanilla bean spice is cream-like, earthy, subtly sweet flavor reminiscent of raisins, and is quite expensive.

Because they’re so expensive, they aren’t very popular, but most people who cook with vanilla beans will use if for things like custard, creme brulee, cocktails, infused in sugars or syrups, etc.

Also, because vanilla beans are so expensive, most people will use vanilla paste or vanilla extract in recipes that call for vanilla beans.

Family Orchidaceae family
Substitutes Vanilla paste or vanilla extract 
Form Beans
Flavor Cream-like, earthy & subtly sweet
Uses Custard, creme brulee, cocktails, infused in sugars or syrups

 

Hot Spices to spice up your cooking

Cayenne pepper

cayenne pepper powder

Cayenne pepper is s hot spice made from a type of thin hot chili pepper with a curved tip. It is green when unripe, but turns red once it has ripened. Cayenne peppers can be found in both fresh and powdered form but is more popular in the powdered form. 

As a powder, you’ll recognize cayenne pepper as an orange-red fine powder with a spicy kick.

Cayenne pepper is moderately hot so it is used to add a kick to many recipes including stews, soups, spice blends, sauces, etc. 

Family Capsicum family
Substitutes Red pepper flakes, hot paprika, chili powder & 7 other cayenne pepper alternatives
Form Powder & Fresh chile peppers
Flavor Hot & pungent
Uses Eggs, soups, stews, spice blends, sauces, etc.

 

Black pepper 

black pepper

Black pepper is a spicy, complex, and pungent spice with hints of citrus and pine made from the dried, blanched, sun-dried berries of the peppercorn plant.

You can recognize black peppercorns due to their dark brown-black and wrinkled outer layer, which when cracked, reveals a  lighter color inside. 

Black pepper is sold both as whole berries and as a ground spice which you’ll recognize as a dark brown powder with lots of light brown and even white specks.

Black pepper is best used in foods like meats, marinades, vinaigrettes, spice blends, vegetables, stir-fries, sauces, pasta, soups stews, salads, etc.

Family Piperaceae family
Substitutes White peppercorns, Papaya seeds & Green peppercorns. Check out other Black pepper alternatives here.
Form Powder & Whole seeds
Flavor Spicy, complex, and pungent with hints of citrus and pine
Uses Meats, vegetables, stir-fries, sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, spice blends, soups, stews, salads, etc.

 

White pepper 

White pepper is another spice from the peppercorn plant. It is with fully ripened peppercorns that are fermented in water, and whose black outer skins are peeled off to reveal the white inner seed inside the peppercorn.

You can find white peppercorns sold as whole berries or as a powder. This spice is a less complex version of black pepper and its flavor can be described as musty, spicy, and grassy. 

White pepper is used in Chinese, Swedish, and Vietnamese cuisine, and in the West, it is used in lighter-colored dishes that need a little kick without leaving black specks behind like certain soups, sauces potato recipes, etc.

Family Piperaceae family
Substitutes Black pepper, green peppercorns, ground ginger & mustard seeds & other substitutes for white pepper
Form Powder & Whole seeds
Flavor Musty, spicy, and grassy
Uses Used in Chinese, Swedish, and Vietnamese cuisine, and also in lighter-colored dishes like soups, sauces potato recipes, etc.

 

Chipotle powder

Chipotle powder is an earthy, smoky, and spicy type of spice made from jalapenos that are ripened, dried, smoked, and then ground to form a powder.

Chipotle powder works well in dry rubs as well as in many Mexican recipes like chili, tacos,  quesadillas, and even pizza!

Family Solanaceae family
Substitutes Smoked paprika powder, Chili powder 
Form Powder 
Flavor Earthy, smoky, and spicy
Uses Mexican recipes and dry rubs

 

Red pepper flakes

red pepper flakes

Red pepper flakes also called crushed red pepper are a type of spice made from crushing dried red chile peppers like cayenne, serrano, Aleppo, Jalapenos, Fresno, etc into pepper flakes.

Red pepper flakes’ heat level depends entirely on the type of chile used in a particular batch, but generally, red pepper flakes have a flavor that is zesty and fiery. It’s very common and used a lot in recipes like pasta, sauces, spice blends, etc.

Family Solanaceae family
Substitutes Cayenne, chili powder, chipotle powder & other suitable red pepper flakes substitutes
Form Pepper flakes
Flavor Fiery and zesty
Uses Pasta, sauces, spice blends, etc

 

 

Common spices in almost every kitchen

Ginger

Ginger is a warm, slightly sweet, slightly peppery spice with a pungent aroma used in lots of recipes including teas, baked goods, desserts, stir-fries, meats, vegetables, dressings, marinades, spice blends, etc.

Most people know and love ground ginger which is a tan-colored powder, however, there are also fresh ginger roots that are also popular. Ginger roots are knobby and twisted with light brown skin and pale yellow flesh on the inside.

Family Zingiberaceae family
Substitutes Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg
Form Powder and ginger roots
Flavor Warm, slightly sweet, pungent spice with peppery undertones
Uses Teas, baked goods, desserts, stir-fries, spice blends, etc

 

Garlic powder

garlic powder

Garlic powder is a super common spice made from ground, dried garlic. It is a light yellow spice that is very versatile in the kitchen. Although garlic powder is milder and smoother than fresh garlic cloves, this spice still offers a robust, pungent, garlicky flavor to recipes like soups, stews, spice blends, meatballs, seafood, vegetables, chili, burgers, etc.

Family Onion (Amaryllidaceae) family
Substitutes for garlic powder Granulated garlic, fresh garlic, garlic flakes
Form Powder 
Flavor Robust, pungent, garlicky flavor
Uses Soups, stews, spice blends, meatballs, seafood, vegetables, chili, burgers, etc

 

Onion powder

onion powder

Onion powder is a sharp, savory, pungent spice with hints of sulfur made from dried ground onions.

It’s very versatile and can be used in a plethora of recipes including dry rubs, marinades, meat, veggies, casseroles, etc. 

Family Onion (Amaryllidaceae) family
Substitutes Minced onions, granulated onions, fresh onions
Form Powder
Flavor Sharp, savory, pungent
Uses Dry rubs, marinades, meat, veggies, casseroles, etc

 

Paprika

paprika

Paprika is a vibrant red spice made from ripe red dried paprika peppers. Paprika can be either hot, smoky, or sweet depending on the kind you purchased and the chile peppers used to make it.

Paprika is popularly used to add color to dishes like soups, stews, goulash, and even in spice blends, marinades, etc.

Family Solanaceae (nightshade) family
Substitutes Ancho chili, chili powder. Check out 11 other paprika replacements here.
Form Powder
Flavor Can be either hot, smoky, or sweet 
Uses Soups, stews, goulash, spice blends, etc

Exotic spices

Saffron

Another uber-expensive, yet amazing sweet spice is saffron spice. Saffron comes from the saffron crocus and is the tiny, reddish threads in the shape of flutes that are plucked out of the saffron crocus flower.

Saffron has a sweet, floral, earthy flavor and fragrance and is best used in recipes like saffron rice, chicken, pasta, seafood, and more.

Family Iris family
Substitutes Ground turmeric 
Form Threads
Flavor Sweet, floral & earthy
Uses Rice, chicken, pasta, seafood, vegetables, and more

 

Black mustard seeds

Black mustard seeds also called true mustard or Brassica nigra, is an exotic spice from India commonly used in Indian cooking. 

These tiny, black, brown, or reddish seeds have a pungent, spicy, savory, nutty flavor and are often used to make recipes like soups, stir-fries, sautéed, stews, sauces, curries, dhals, for garnish, and more.

Family Brassicaceae family
Substitutes Brown mustard seeds and white mustard seeds
Form Whole seeds
Flavor Pungent, spicy, savory, nutty 
Uses Soups, stir-fries, sautéed, stews, sauces, curries, dhals, for garnish and more

 

Turmeric

turmeric powder

Turmeric is an exotic, pungent spice native to South Asia. Turmeric can be used fresh as in turmeric rhizomes, but it is popularly used as a ground powder.

Turmeric powder is bright yellow and has an earthy, musky bitter flavor with peppery undertones.

Turmeric powder is used in many Indian, and South Asian dishes and can be used for vegetables, spice blends, rice, stews, soups, golden milk, and even as a garnish! 

Family Zingiberaceae family
Substitutes Saffron, Ginger & curry powder
Form Whole rhizomes & ground powder
Flavor Earthy, musky bitter flavor with peppery undertones
Uses Vegetables, spice blends, rice, stews, soups, and even as a garnish

 

Amchur Powder

Amchur powder or Dried mango powder is made from unripe mangoes that have been sliced, dried, and ground into powder. Amchur powder has a tart, sour, tangy flavor that works well in recipes like curries, chutneys, chaats, samosas, and more.

Family Anacardiaceae family
Substitutes Lemon juice, tamarind powder & sumac
Form Powder 
Flavor Tart, sour & tangy flavor
Uses curries, chutneys, chaats, samosas, and more

 

Best spice mixtures

Chili powder

chili powder

Chili powder is a fiery red or dark red savory spice mix made of ripe chile peppers, cumin, salt, garlic, oregano, and sometimes some other spices and herbs. Chili powder can be mild to spicy, based on how much cayenne pepper is used in the mix. This spice mixture has an earthy flavor that works well in Mexican and Southwestern dishes such as tacos, chili con carne, stews, soups, beans, kebabs, enchiladas, etc.  

 

Garam Masala

Garam Masala is an Indian-inspired spice mix made from spices like cumin, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, black cardamon, coriander, black pepper, cloves, ginger, bay leaves, and green cardamon. Garam masala is warm and fragrant and has a plethora of different flavors due to all the different spices. Use garam masala powder to make delicious roasted vegetables, curries, stews, meats, and more.

Note, the number of spices will change depending on the brand you pick up since some brands use fewer spices in their garam masala mixes. However, authentic Indian Garam marsala uses 11 spices.

Substitute – Mix allspice, cumin, black pepper, mac, cardamon, ginger, and coriander, or use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. 

Apple pie spice

Apple pie spice is a sweet, warm mix of spices including allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamon although some brands omit the cardamon and ginger. Apple pie spice can be used to add warm, sweet flavors to foods like pancakes, waffles, muffins, hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc.

 

Pumpkin pie spice

pumpkin pie spice

Pumpkin pie spice is a spice mixture made with spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Pumpkin pie spice has a sweet, spicy, warm flavor that works well in recipes like oatmeal, hot beverages like lattes, coffees, hot cocoa, cakes, cookies, pumpkin pies, fluffy pumpkin pancakes, and roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, etc. Check out this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe with no allspice here.

 

Chai spice mix 

Chai spice mix is a blend of ground sweet spices like ginger, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, allspice, and black pepper. Chai spice mix is used to make chai tea but because of the spices in this mixture, I like to use it to make cakes, muffins, pancakes, cookies, and pies as well.

Taco seasoning

homemade taco seasoning mix

Taco seasoning is a popular spice mixture made with ingredients like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt, and dried oregano. Taco seasoning has a warm, and spicy flavor and is great for adding to tacos, stews, soups, and casseroles, and also for adding to creamy dips and sauces. Check out my easy recipe for taco seasoning without cumin here.

Cajun seasoning

cajun seasoning

Cajun seasoning or cajun spice mix is made with ingredients like cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.  Some brands also add cumin, salt, and mustard powder to the mixture. 

Cajun seasoning has a robust, spicy flavor and is used to cook meats, vegetables, soups, stews, and shrimp recipes like these juicy cajun shrimp here. It’s also great for making creamy cajun sauces, creamy cajun pasta, cajun seafood recipes like this cajun style seafood boil, etc. 

Curry powder

Curry powder is an Indian-inspired blend of spices and herbs which include fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and ginger. Some brands use other spices like nutmeg, bay leaves, cloves, and red pepper in their curry powder mix as well.

Curry powder is golden yellow in color and is a pungent spice mix with earthy, robust, spicy flavors that works well in curries, pilafs, roasted veggies, dips, and more. 

Fajita seasoning

fajita seasoning

Fajita seasoning or fajita seasoning mix is a spice mix made of ingredients like chili powder, onion powder, cumin, black pepper, oregano, coriander, garlic powder, and sometimes cayenne pepper. 

Chinese five spice seasoning

Chinese 5 star spice

Chinese 5 spice seasoning is a spice mix made with different combinations of spices based on the brand. Generally spices like star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, cloves, bay leaves, and white pepper. This spice mix has a complex flavor in that it is warm, sweet, pungent, spicy, and sour all at once. Use Chinese five spice for rice dishes, meat dishes, and more.

Pickling spice

homemade pickling spice

Pickling spice is a coarse blend of whole and broken spices and seeds including chile pepper, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, etc. Pickling spice is used to pickle vegetables, in corned beef, pot roasts, stews, braised meat, and even in spiced fruits. Pickling spice has a complex flavor, tangy taste, and pungent smell.

Southwest spice blend

southwest spice mix

Another awesome spice mixture worth mentioning is the southwest spice blend. This spice mixture is made with dehydrated onions, garlic, pepper, herbs, and spices like cumin, paprika, bay leaves, and coriander. It’s a versatile spice blend that can be used to season vegetables, seafood, chicken, steak, pasta, eggs, sauces, dips, and more.

Pork rib rub seasoning

pork rib rub seasoning mix

Yet another amazing spice mix you should keep in your kitchen is pork rib rub. It’s typically made with ingredients and spices like brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This mixture makes the most amazing spice blend for pork ribs. I’ve made a recipe for pork rib rub without the brown sugar for my keto-friendly pork ribs. So yummy!

 

Shrimp seasoning 

flavorful shrimp seasoning

Made to season all types of shrimp recipes including grilled shrimp. Shrimp seasoning is a must-have spice blend in your kitchen! You can check out my easy shrimp seasoning recipe here. 

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