Spice Blend and Seasoning

Merquén or merkén is a Chilean spice made with a long, pointed chili pepper called aji, caciocavra, cacho de cabra, or goat’s horn pepper as the key ingredient. The peppers are grown throughout the Araucan&iac... READ MORE

Garam masala is an intensely aromatic blend of ground spices such as cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns. Its name can be literally translated as hot ingredients, and is sometimes described as an aromatic blend tha... READ MORE

Jerk is a Jamaican seasoning blend used for dry-rubbing or wet-marinating various types of fish and meat. The basic ingredient in jerk seasoning is pimento, which is then mixed with other peppers such as Scotch bonnet, and other flavoring... READ MORE

Za'atar is a traditional spice blend with Middle Eastern and Levantine origins. The ingredients used in za'atar vary from region to region, and the list often includes the wild za'atar herb (hyssop, growing throughout the Levant), marjoram, thyme,... READ MORE

Berbere is an Ethiopian spice blend full of flavor and heat, made with a combination of spices such as chili, garlic, cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, nigella, fenugreek, and ajwain. This spice blend can be used in its dry, powdery for... READ MORE

Sometimes referred to as the seven-spice powder, shichimi togarashi is a spice blend widely used in Japanese cuisine for imparting a nice smoky-sweet heat to a variety of dishes, from a steaming bowl of soba noodles to grilled fish. The o... READ MORE

Ras el hanout is a mixture which often includes up to 40 different spices, while some blends claim to include over 100. Literally translated, ras el hanout means top of the shop, suggesting that the spice blend is the best and fi... READ MORE

Sharena sol is the most popular Bulgarian spice mix that has been used in Bulgarian cuisine for centuries. It has a pleasant, mild, and aromatic flavor that enhances the taste of many meals. The key ingredients in sharena sol include papr... READ MORE

Khmeli suneli is a fragrant Georgian spice blend including fenugreek, coriander, peppercorns, dill, mint, marigold petals, and bay leaves. This spice blend is characterized by its combination of warm, bitter, nutty, and grassy flavors. It... READ MORE

Pestèda is a traditional seasoning blend that hails from the ancient village of Grosio, consisting of garlic, salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs such as leaves of dwarf alpine yarrow or musk yarrow, wild thyme, juniper berries, or ci... READ MORE

Translated from Arabian as spice, bahārāt is an aromatic blend of spices native to the Middle East. Although it is hard to pinpoint the exact spices used in the mix, the most common ingredients include black peppercorns, allspice... READ MORE

This spice rub is so popular that the version produced by McCormick is readily available in most Canadian grocery stores, although it can also easily be made at home. It provides heat and flavor to steaks, burgers, and potatoes even witho... READ MORE

Recado rojo is a spice blend featuring ingredients such as annatto seeds, garlic, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, pepper, allspice, salt, and cloves. The blend is used for seasoning, rubbing, and marinating various types of meats, and it is especially u... READ MORE

Sazon is a versatile Puerto Rican seasoning mix that is prepared with a few simple spices such as cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and ground annatto seeds. Other possible additions include black pepper, saffron, and onion powder. Th... READ MORE

Wu xiang fen or five-spice powder is a traditional spice blend originating from China. The spice blend consists of five spices: fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise. The number five refers to the five flavors that ar... READ MORE

Chaat masala is a spice mixture that's widely used in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine. It often consists of coriander, asafoetida, red chili powder, tamarind powder, cumin, amchoor (dry mango powder), and kala namak (black salt). The or... READ MORE

Old Bay Seasoning is a trademarked American seasoning mix originating from Baltimore, Maryland. The mix includes paprika, celery salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper, among other spices which are believed to include bay leave... READ MORE

Duqqa is an Egyptian blend of herbs, toasted nuts, and spices such as cumin, sesame seeds, and coriander. The combination of these ingredients is ground into a coarse powder which can be used as a salad topping, a dip with olive oil and bread, or ... READ MORE

Quatre épices is a traditional spice blend that's used to season and flavor a wide variety of foods such as roulades, soups, terrines, stews, gratins, and even sausages. The name of the blend means four spices, and those are black or white ... READ MORE

Mitmita is an Ethiopian spice blend sold in the form of powder, consisting of ingredients such as cloves, cardamom, salt, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and bird's eye chili. It is traditionally used as a dip for cooked and raw meat dishes, but... READ MORE

The Bengali spice mix known as panch phoron (lit. five spices) is an aromatic combination of cumin, fennel, fenugreek, black mustard, and nigella or kalonji onion seeds. This spice blend adds a wonderful depth and flavor to various dishes... READ MORE

Vadouvan is a French-style curry mix consisting of ingredients such as shallots, onion, cumin, garlic, turmeric, cardamom, curry leaves, black mustard, black pepper, and fenugreek. All of the ingredients are traditionally dried and pounde... READ MORE

Hawaij is a traditional spice blend that is deeply rooted in Yemenite Jewish tradition. The spice mix consists of ingredients such as saffron, turmeric, black pepper, and cardamom. Variations include other ingredients such as cumin, coria... READ MORE

Samardala salt is a traditional spice mix originating from Stara Zagora. The spice mix consists of only two ingredients – salt and samardala (Nectaroscordum siculum bulgaricum or Allium siculum), also called Bulgarian honey garlic, a spice t... READ MORE

Chaimen is an authentic Armenian spice blend that provides tons of flavor to numerous meat and vegetable dishes, as well as casseroles. However, it is mostly used for curing meats and sausages, although it can also be used in soups, stews... READ MORE

Kabsa spice is a traditional spice blend used predominantly in Saudi Arabian cuisine, particularly for kabsa, a popular spiced rice and meat dish found throughout the Arabian Peninsula. This spice mix is crafted to infuse rice and meats with a ric... READ MORE

Hararat is a traditional spice mix commonly used in Libya. The word "hararat" in Arabic means "spices" or "heat," indicating its role as a warming and aromatic blend that enhances the flavors of various dishes. It is versatile and used to season a... READ MORE

Bafat is a traditional Mangalorean blend of ground spices such as red chilis, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Each spice is dry-roasted separately until fragrant and slightly browned, then all of th... READ MORE

Suya spice, also known as Yaji, is a flavorful and aromatic spice blend traditionally used in West African cuisine, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. It is a key ingredient in making Suya, a popular street food that consists of skewere... READ MORE

Bzar is a traditional and Gulf-region spice blend widely used in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and other Gulf countries. Typically, Bzar includes cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom, with some variations adding clove... READ MORE

Chettinad masala is a traditional spice blend originating from Tamil Nadu, India. The spice blend consists of 16 or more spices including cinnamon, green cardamom, mace, star anise, cloves, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, kapok buds, cumin seeds, c... READ MORE

Recado negro, also known as black recado, is a traditional seasoning paste originating from the Yucatan Peninsula. The ingredients used in recado negro can vary depending on the region, but they typically include toasted chiles, achiote paste, bla... READ MORE

Dabeli masala is a special spice mix used to flavor the potato filling in dabeli, a popular Gujarati street food. This masala is a blend of aromatic spices with a hint of sweetness and tanginess, giving dabeli its unique and rich taste. It typical... READ MORE

Char masala is a unique Afghan spice blend consisting of equal parts cumin, black cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Although it can be used in various vegetable, fish, and meat dishes, it's mostly associated with Afghan rice dishes, mo... READ MORE

Kan kan kan is an unusual spice blend that is popular in Burkina Faso. It consists of peanut powder, chili powder, allspice, and Maggi bouillon cubes. All of the ingredients are crushed and mixed together to create this delicate spice ble... READ MORE

Advieh is a fragrant Persian spice blend used extensively in Iranian cuisine to season rice dishes, stews, grilled meats, and vegetables. Known for its delicate yet complex flavors, Advieh combines aromatic spices that are commonly sweet, floral, ... READ MORE

Achu spice is a Cameroonian spice blend consisting of various local spices, such as esese, pebe, and hot peppers. It is primarily used as a seasoning for the traditional achu soup.

Pav bhaji masala is a special spice blend used to make pav bhaji, a popular Indian street food. It is a mix of aromatic spices that provide the characteristic flavor and aroma of the dish. This masala typically includes coriander seeds, cumin seed... READ MORE