Spectacular spices

Spices are used in cooking all over the world to add flavour to favourite dishes.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a seed pod that tastes spicy and sweet.

People use it when cooking curries and rice, but also desserts!

Some people like chewing it after meals to refresh their breath.

Cinnamon is the bark of a tropical tree and it tastes woody and sweet.

People use it when baking cakes, biscuits and fruit or to flavour meat.

Cumin is a seed that tastes slightly bitter.

You can use it either whole or ground.

People use it when cooking Indian, Mexican and Middle Eastern foods.

Ginger is a root that tastes hot and sweet.

People use it when cooking curries and stir-fries.

It’s also one of the ingredients for making gingerbread men.

Lemongrass is a stem that looks like a spring onion and tastes a bit like a lemon.

People use it when cooking curries and stir-fries.

Nutmeg is not a nut, it’s actually the seed of a tropical tree and it tastes spicy and nutty.

People use grated nutmeg when cooking both sweet and savoury food, like lasagne.

Paprika comes from ground chilli peppers and it can taste mild or hot.

People use it to add a spicy flavour to meat, vegetables and fish.

Saffron comes from the crocus flower and tastes sweet.

People use it to add flavour to rice. It turns food a yellow colour – like our vegetable paella.

Did you know? Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.

Ask an adult to show you the spices they use at home.