List of herbs and spices

Allspice
Is best used freshly ground and has a taste similar to a mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. You can use allspice for anything really, from desserts to salads.

Anise Seed
Tastes similar to licorice, it is best used as dried seeds. You can use Anise in candies, cookies, pastries and even in poultry dishes.

Arrowroot
Is extremely bland and is used as a thickening agent. Use in puddings, sauces, and also in baked goods.

Basil, Sweet
This is somewhat pungent and also sweet. You want to use basil fresh. There are many uses for basil when it comes to cooking. You can use it with eggplant, tomato dishes, pesto, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, salads and you can use it when cooking vegetables.

Bay Leaves
These leaves have a mild flavor and are best used dried. When cooking you can use the bay leaves in stews, soups, tomato sauces and when you boil shellfish. But, remember to remove before serving.

Caraway Seed
These seeds have a sweet nutty flavor and are best when used whole. You can use them in apple sauce, cakes, cookies, herbal vinegars and also in Hungarian Goulash.

Cardamom
This spice has a sweet spice flavor and is best used whole or ground. You want to use this sparingly and is best used in curries and stews.

Cayenne Pepper
This spice is very hot and is best used dried, ground, fresh, and also finely chopped. You can use this in anything that you want to make spicy and hot.

Celery Seed
Very strong celery flavor, best when used as a dried whole seed. You can use this as a replacement in cooking that calls for celery, put it in sauces, soups, or tomato juice.

Chervil
Light flavor similar to parsley, best when used frozen or fresh. You may use this in casseroles, salads, omelets and also soups.

Chives
Strong onion or garlic flavor best used fresh or frozen. You want to use this as a garnish or blended into soft cheese and add it to salads.

Cilantro
Has a spicy, sweet, hot flavor. Best used fresh. This is mostly used in Latin, Asian, Spanish, and Mexican cuisines.

Cinnamon
Sweet flavor, best when used as a ground powder or as a dried stick. You use this spice in sweet dishes, or stews and curries.

Cloves
Have a sweet or bittersweet taste and are best when used ground or dried. Use is sweet dishes or in curries and stews.

Coriander
Is spicy, sweet or hot. Best when used whole or ground. Use in cakes, breads, cookies, in curry or when pickling.

Cream of Tartar
Is used to gives things a creamy texture, use it with egg whites and also baking.

Cumin
Peppery flavor, best used ground or whole. Use in stews, sauces, soups but use sparingly.

Curry Powder
Hot, use sparingly in curries.

Dill Seed and Weed
Mild and somewhat sour, best used as leaves, fresh, seeds or whole. Use with eggs, fish, potatoes, meats, breads, salads, sauces, when you are pickling.

Fennel Seed
Has a taste like anise but a little sweeter and lighter, best used raw or cooked. Use in soups, stews or salads.

Garlic
Has an onion like flavor, mildly hot to very hot. Best used fresh or granulated. Use in pasta sauces, pork roasts, herb butter, stuffing and marinades.

Ginger
Has mix of pepper and sweetness, best used has a dried powder, or freshly grated. Use in breads, cakes, cookies and also Asian dishes.

Horseradish
Very sharp flavor similar to mustard. Use fresh or jarred as a condiment or to flavor fish, beef, sausages and potato salads.

Juniper Berries
Have a pungent and piney flavor, best used as a dried berry, but crush before using. Use with wild game cooking, beef and pork, or with marinades and sauces.

Mace
Similar to nutmeg but has a stronger flavor, best used ground or dried. Use in spice cakes, custards, and fruit desserts.

Marjoram
Has a delicate flavor, best when used fresh or dried. Use in stews, soups, marinades and at the end of cooking to conserve flavor.

Mint
There are over 30 different varieties of mint and their flavors all vary. Best used fresh in salads and with vegetables.

Mustard Seed
Has a nice spicy, aromatic rustic taste. And can be used in any meal. Best used whole or as a ground powder.

Nutmeg
Has a warm, sweet and spicy flavor. Best when freshly ground. Use in cakes, cookies and also sweet potatoes.

Onion
Have a strong flavor, and sometimes can be sweet. Best used fresh and can be used in many dishes.

Oregano
Has a similar flavor to marjoram but not as sweet, best used fresh or dried. Use it in chili, Italian dishes, with vegetables and also soups.

Paprika
Can be sweet to hot and also somewhat bitter. Best used dried and ground. Use in Hungarian dishes, goulash, and potato or egg salad.

Parsley
Mildly peppery, best used fresh. Use as a garnish in sauces, soups and salads.

Pepper
Has a vibrant flavor and can be used in any dish. Best used in any form.

Poppy Seeds
Have a nutty flavor, best used dried or whole. Use in cakes, salads dressings and in muffins.

Red Pepper
Has a sweet and mellow flavor. Since this is rare in the US many recipes that call for it are talking about Cayenne pepper.

Rosemary
Is very aromatic and has a faintly lemony piney scent. Best used fresh or dried in meat dishes and also sauces.

Saffron
Very pungent, best used dried. Use in flavoring and cooking of rice, stews and fish.

Sage
Has a slightly bitter taste and is best used fresh or dried. Use in beef and fish dishes, in stews, stuffing and common use is in sausage.

Sesame Seed
Has a nutty flavor, best used whole. Use in breads and cookies, and also salad dressings.

Summer Savory
Has a cross between thyme and mint flavor, best when fresh or dried. Use in pates, soups, meat, fish and bean dishes.

Tarragon
Has a flavor like anise. Best when used fresh or frozen. Use in tarter sauce, as a flavoring in cream sauces, in egg dishes and also seafood salads.

Thyme
Has a minty lemony flavor, best used fresh or dried. Use in stews, omelets, in stuffing for chicken, in green salads and with vegetables.

Turmeric
Has a pungent and somewhat bitter taste. Best used dried and ground and in curries.

Vanilla
Sweet and highly aromatic. Best when used from whole dried beans or as an extract. Use with coffee, in desserts, ice cream, puddings and cakes.

Winter Savory
Has a combination of thyme and mint, best when used dried or fresh. Use in pate, soups, meat, fish and bean dishes. Use sparingly due to a strong taste.