in powdered form and should be purchased in

SPICE
small quantities as they deteriorate more
rapidly after grinding. A mortar and pestle or
coffee grinder can be used to grind spices.

S A number of commercial mixtures of spices in

Spices are obtained from aromatic plants which
addition to “mixed spice’ are available for
are usually found in tropical areas. The leaves,
special dishes such as marinades for meat and
berries, seeds, stems and roots of these plants
poultry. There are also mixtures suitable for
may be dried to give added flavor to both sweet
seasoning and for adding to sauces, vegetable
and savory foods. These spices are usually sold
dishes, biscuits and cakes.

Caraway seeds come from a small plant that is

grown in Europe. The plant varies a little in
Cloves are the unopened flowers of a tropical
colour from country to country. Caraway seeds
plant. When whole they are used in chutneys,
are used to flavor breads, cakes, cheeses and
sauces as well as apple and pear dishes. Ground
gravies.
cloves may be used in cakes and biscuits.
Cardamom has a pleasant smell and a hot,
Coriander seeds are the dried seeds of a parsley
pungent flavor. It is used in sauces and soups
like plant. They are an ingredient of curry
and as an ingredient of curry powder. Its small,
powder and some spice mixtures used for
dark brown seeds and pods come from a reed-
pickling fruit, vegetables and meat.
like plant. It may also be purchased ground.

Cumin resembles caraway seed in appearance,

Cayenne is a hot, bright red pepper made from
but not flavor. It is used in curry powder and to
small, dried chilies. It is used in hot and spicy
flavor vegetable dishes, soups, breads, biscuits
dishes.
and cheeses. It may be purchased ground.
Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree and
Curry powder is a mixture of a great number of
is sold in stick form or ground. It is used in cakes
herbs and spices. The proportions of which vary
and sweet dishes.
from country to country. It is used extensively in
India and other Asian countries to flavor sauces
for meat, vegetables, chicken, egg and fish Paprika is prepared from Hungarian capsicum. It
dishes. is similar in colour to cayenne, but without its
pungent flavor. It is used in savoury dishes.
Galangal is a large rhizome related to the ginger
family. It has a mild ginger flavour. It is used in Pepper comes from the berries of a tropical
Indian and other Asian dishes, in curry pastes vine: black pepper from the unripe berries and
and in Eastern European dishes. It is sold fresh white pepper from the ripe ones. Black pepper
and pickled. has a stronger taste.

Ginger is the root-like rhizome of a tropical Peppercorns are the whole berries of a
plant. It may be sold fresh. After peeling it may particular species of pepper tree. They are used
be crystalized, preserved in syrup, or dried and whole in soups, pickles and stews and can be
ground. It is used in sweet and savoury dishes. ground in a pepper mill at the table.

Horseradish is the root of a small plant and has Pimento is a berry. When ground, it is said to
a sharp flavor that resembles that of mustard. It combine the flavours of cinnamon, cloves and
is best when grated fresh and may be made in nutmeg. For this reason, it is often called
to a sauce to serve with roast beef. It may be allspice. It is used whole in pickles and meat
purchased grated, dried and ground or as a dishes.
sauce.

Poppyseeds are the small dark blue or black

seeds of the white poppy. They are used in
cakes and are sprinkled over bread before it is
Mace is the outer skin of nutmeg and has a
baked.
similar taste to nutmeg. It is used in savory
dishes. Saffron is made from the stigmas of the autumn
crocus. It is bright orange-red in colour and is
Mixed spice is a mixture of sweet spices that is
very expensive. A dull colour indicates old or
used in cakes, puddings and similar dishes.
inferior saffron. It has a bitter-sweet taste and is
Mustard seeds may be g round or mixed whole used mainly to flavor and colour soups, jellies
with other ingredients. They are used as a and rice dishes.
condiment with meats, or added to savoury
Sesame seeds have a nutty flavor and can be
dishes and sauces. Mustard seeds are also used
used in confectionery, dishes containing chicken
in pickles and pickled onions.
or vegetables, and biscuits and breads. They are
Nutmeg is the kernel of the fruit of a tropical also used to make pastes and cooking oils.
tree and may be purchased whole or ground. It
Tamarind pods and seeds are used for
is used to flavor cakes, biscuits, milk dishes and
seasoning meat and rice dishes.
puddings.
Turmeric comes from a plant of the ginger
family, but has a milder flavor than ginger. It is
bright yellow and is used to colour pickles and
dressings for salad.
 SPICES Flavoring foods
4. How should ground
spices be stored?
READ THE PRINTED In airtight containers
INFORMATION ON SPICES
AND ANSWER THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON
THIS SHEET. Choose 3 commonly used spices
and write out the information on
each one.
1. What is a description of
a spice?
Spices are obtained from aromatic
plants which are usually found in Cayenne is a hot, bright red pepper made from
tropical areas. The leaves, berries, small, dried chilies. It is used in hot and spicy
seeds, stems and roots of these plants dishes.
may be dried to give added flavor to
both sweet and savory foods. These
spices are usually sold in powdered Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree and
form and should be purchased in small is sold in stick form or ground. It is used in cakes
quantities as they deteriorate more and sweet dishes.
rapidly after grinding. A mortar and
pestle or coffee grinder can be used to
grind spices. Paprika is prepared from Hungarian capsicum. It
is similar in colour to cayenne, but without its
pungent flavor. It is used in savoury dishes.
2. What climate do spices
usually grow well in?
tropical
3. What are spices
commonly used for?