Herbs and Spices come from different parts of the plant
- An herb is the green, leafy part of the plant. Examples are basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and oregano.
- A spice can come from the root, stem, seed, fruit, flower or bark of the tree or plant. Examples are cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, star anise, and tumeric.
That said, a plant can be host to both an herb and spice at the like clock time !
- The classic example is like cilantro and coriander. Cilantro is the aromatic leaf of the plant, Coriandrum sativum, while coriander is the seed that comes from that same plant.
- Dill weed also produces seeds that are used as a spice while the leaves are used as an herb.
Whole spices will retain their flavor and potency significantly longer than herbs
wholly spices such as cinnamon sticks, allspice berries and cloves, to name a few, are whole and integral and not broken down or ground. These types of hale spices will keep their spirit and potential much longer than herbs or grind spices.
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The moment that a spice or herb is ground it ’ randomness open area is increased and exposed to oxygen. Grinding releases the spices explosive oils and what is exposed to the tune will begin to break down faster and lose its potency a lot faster .
That is why it is best to buy your spices hale, memory correctly away from heat, light and air out, and grind right before you use them.

How to Use Herbs and Spices in Cooking
Cooking with herbs and spices requires different methods.
- Herbs, whether fresh or dried are more delicate in flavor and constitution than spices. First of all, herbs can be used fresh while spices are always used in their dried form. There are occasions when fresh herbs are preferred over dried herbs like in a basil pesto or using fresh parsley in a tabbouleh salad. When using dried herbs it is usually optimal to add them towards the end of cooking to maximize their flavor.
- Spices on the other hand can withstand longer cooking times and often are enhanced by dry-roasting and being added early in the cooking process.
Herbs and Spices grow in different climates and regions
Of the hundreds of spices that might fill up our spiciness cupboards, there are entirely a belittled handful that can claim they have originated in the Western Hemisphere. Allspice from Jamaica, Vanilla Bean from Mexico and Chile Peppers from America are three of the most popular and most influential in kitchens around the world. The majority of spices we use today grow in more tropical or subtropical regions like the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and India .
Herbs, while besides popular throughout the tropical regions can be grown in more temperate and frequently arid climates and are found in abundance throughout North America, Mexico and Central America .
Where is our coarse black pepper from ? Learn all about black pepper, including its history, health benefits, and even how it contributed to european exploration of the Americas .