Herbs & Spices Study Guide

General

45 answers | 255 clues

Must-Know (14)

paprika 14x 7.1% stumper $421 avg J:6 DJ:8

J $100 1993 In the past most of the U.S. supply of this spice came from Spain, not Hungary

J $600 2002 This spice is made by grinding aromatic red pepper pods; the Hungarian variety is said to be superior

DJ $2,600 DD 2005 Hungarian chemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi was the first to isolate vitamin C from the pods of this spice

nutmeg 14x 21.4% stumper $621 avg J:8 DJ:6

DJ $200 1987 The dried seed of an evergreen that's grated over eggnog

J $500 1991 Derived from the same tree as mace, this spice adds the finishing touch to flips & eggnogs

J $1,000 2013 To keep prices high in the 1760s, the Dutch burned warehouses of this spice whose seed covering supplies mace

cinnamon 13x 30.8% stumper $906 avg J:6 DJ:7

J $75 1983 Spice made from the dried bark of a Ceylonese tree

DJ $800 2020 Though this spice is the flavor of hot tamales candies, it is not one of the ingredients

J $1,000 2002 This spice that is sold in 2 varieties, Ceylon & Cassia, was once used in love potions

ginger 12x 25.0% stumper $508 avg J:9 DJ:3

J $100 1993 The words bread, snap & ale may follow the name of this spice

DJ $800 2005 This spice, Zingiber officinale, was used during the Middle Ages against the plague because it caused sweating

J $1,000 2025 "Up" often follows this rhizome when it's used to mean to make lively

saffron 10x $690 avg J:3 DJ:7

J $100 1991 Annatto, which adds a golden tinge to food, is often substituted for this more expensive spice

DJ $600 1997 This expensive yellow spice is a traditional ingredient in bouillabaisse

DJ $2,000 2006 Plants producing this spice in England came from a crocus bulb smuggled from the Holy Land in the 14th century

cloves 10x 10.0% stumper $655 avg J:7 DJ:3

J $50 1983 These dried flower buds are a must with baked ham

J $800 2013 The nail-shaped buds of this spice used to alleviate a toothache gives us its name, from the Latin for "nail"

DJ $1,000 1998 Referring to their shape, these fragrant buds take their name from the Latin word for "nail"

Rosemary 9x 33.3% stumper $633 avg J:4 DJ:5

DJ $200 1989 Because it thrives near salt water, the Romans called it "rosmarinus", dew of the sea

J $500 1990 It's known as the herb of remembrance as "Hamlet"s Ophelia could tell you

J $1,000 2012 If you've got sprig fever, cook with this pungent herb, since ancient Greek times thought to boost memory

oregano 9x 22.2% stumper $411 avg J:5 DJ:4

J $100 1994 Its name comes from oros ganos, Greek for "joy of the mountain"

J $800 2005 The name of this herb that's similar to marjoram is from the Greek for "joy of the mountain"

J $1,000 2024 Similar to marjoram, it's native to the hills of the Mediterranean & has a name that goes back to Latin for wild marjoram

sage 9x 22.2% stumper $522 avg J:6 DJ:3

J $400 2025 One known for wisdom

J $500 1990 As its name suggests, in medieval Europe this herb was believed to promote wisdom

J $100 1983 This herb's name comes from belief that it will lengthen life and increase wisdom

tarragon 8x 12.5% stumper $662 avg J:5 DJ:3

J $300 DD 1992 Sometimes used to flavor vinegar, this herb is essential to bearnaise sauce

J $500 DD 1994 This herb whose name means "dragon" was once thought to cure venomous bites

J $1,000 2004 Also called estragon, it's used to add a tang to sauces & many dishes

mace 8x 37.5% stumper $1,000 avg J:3 DJ:5

J $100 1987 The oried covering of the nutmeg, it's not used in the mixture sprayed in an attacker's face

J $500 1994 It takes 5 pounds of nutmeg kernels to make 1 pound of this related spice

DJ $1,000 1989 A cooking "club" might say this pound cake spice comes from the membrane surrounding the nutmeg seed

dill 8x 12.5% stumper $312 avg J:5 DJ:3

J $100 1986 "Anethum graveolens", it's a pickle flavorer

J $500 1993 Swedes marinate salmon with the leaves of this "pickle" herb to make gravlax

DJ $200 2001 This herb in the parsley family gives its name to a type of pickle

basil 8x 25.0% stumper $500 avg J:5 DJ:3

J $100 1990 In the World Book this member of the mint family can be found between "baseball" & "basketball"

J $500 1994 Some Greek Orthodox churches use a sprig of this pesto ingredient to sprinkle holy water

DJ $1,000 1984 Man’s name, or herb Pliny felt must be sown with curses & ugly words

allspice 8x $575 avg J:5 DJ:3

J $200 1990 Its name was acquired from its flavor, which is a blend of cloves, cinnamon & nutmeg

J $500 1996 Jamaica is the leading producer of this spice that tastes like a blend of several others

DJ $1,000 1985 Not a blend of spices, it's the dried berries of the pimento tree

Should-Know (17)

turmeric 6x 33.3% stumper $1,283 avg J:2 DJ:4

J $500 1991 Also called Indian saffron, this yellowish spice is used in mustard, curry powder & piccalilli

DJ $1,600 2022 Tea made from this spice, also called Indian saffron, is said to have anti-inflammatory properties & may also boost immunity

J $800 2016 Curcumin is a yellow pigment of this spice sometimes known as Indian saffron

poppy seeds 6x 16.7% stumper $667 avg J:2 DJ:4

DJ $200 1998 Though derived from the same plant as opium, these seeds are non-narcotic

DJ $1,200 2010 These grayish-blue seeds used to garnish the tops of breads & pastries are so tiny that 900,000 equal a pound

J $300 1996 These bluish-gray seeds used in cakes & salad dressings go a long way--- there are about 900,000 to a pound

curry 6x $600 avg J:3 DJ:3

J $400 2016 Trinidad lacked spices used in India but created its own type of this blend used in the island's unofficial national dish

J $600 2004 There are a number of variations of this Indian spice, & many use dried hot peppers as their base

DJ $1,200 2005 The "Today" Show got a little spicier when she became its news anchor in 1997

anise 6x $1,267 avg J:2 DJ:4

DJ $400 1997 These licorice-flavored seeds flavor ouzo, a Greek liqueur

DJ $2,000 2020 Two-word name for the spice seen here; native to China, it has a flavor similar to fennel

J $1,000 2016 Ouzo & pastis are flavored with this spice that tastes like licorice or fennel

mustard 5x $320 avg J:4 DJ:1

J $100 1993 Dijon is the main French center for making a condiment out of this plant’s seeds

DJ $600 1984 Even if you can’t cut it, it's good on hot dogs

J $300 1994 You might find the seeds of this plant in emetics & liniments as well as on hot dogs

chives 5x $500 avg J:4 DJ:1

J $100 1994 This onion relative & baked potato topper is a classic ingredient of fines herbes

J $800 2017 Vichyssoise is made with leeks & garnished with this other member of the onion family, the smallest one

DJ $400 2018 This potato topper that resembles blades of grass is the smallest member of the onion family

Tea 5x $320 avg J:2 DJ:3

J $100 1996 In the 1770s bergamot was used to brew this while the American colonies boycotted the British product

DJ $1,000 1989 Peter Rabbit's mother made him this herbal tea after his adventures in Mr. McGregor's garden

J $100 1990 Celestial Seasonings uses chamomile flowers to make this type of drink

garlic 5x $305 avg J:5

J $25 1983 Reportedly good for lowering blood pressure and repelling vampires

J $600 2006 This type of garlic grown mainly in California has huge cloves, averaging 1 ounce

J $100 1996 While offensive to vampires, this pungent herb is believed to have many benefits for humans

a bay leaf 5x $540 avg J:3 DJ:2

J $300 1993 A leaf of this evergreen is used to flavor stews & fish & is a requirement in pickling solutions

DJ $600 1998 This aromatic leaf, used to flavor meat, soups & stews, comes from a laurel tree

DJ $800 1990 This aromatic herb is the leaf of a laurel tree

vanilla 4x $550 avg J:1 DJ:3

DJ $400 2005 The extract of this spice is made by percolating alcohol & water through the chopped, cured orchid beans

J $600 2002 The dried pods of a certain climbing orchid provide this flavoring

DJ $400 2004 In August 2003 Pepsi introduced its cola flavored with this; Coke had done it back in 2002

peppermint 4x $400 avg J:1 DJ:3

J $200 2009 Mentha piperita, this one of the more than 20 species of mint, is frequently used in cooking

DJ $600 1993 An oil distilled from this herb is a source of menthol

DJ $400 1998 The scientific name of this herb is Mentha piperita

parsley 4x $275 avg J:3 DJ:1

J $200 2017 The curly-leaf variety of this herb is the one that's often used as garnish

J $200 1990 The World Encyclopedia of Food calls it the most popular garnish in the U.S. for fish, meat & poultry dishes

J $300 1993 The curly-leaved variety of this herb is the most popular garnish in the U.S.

licorice 4x 50.0% stumper $550 avg J:2 DJ:2

J $200 1990 Whether you call it anise or aniseed, it still has this flavor

J $800 2024 Other names for this herb include black sugar & sweet root

DJ $400 1990 Fennel & anise resemble the flavor of this black candy

horseradish 4x $250 avg J:3 DJ:1

J $200 2004 This "equine" herb's roots are grated & preserved in vinegar to prevent loss of its chemical bite

J $200 1991 Grated or made into a sauce, this bitter herb is the perfect compliment to prime rib

J $200 1985 The white root of this herb makes a pungent relish, usually served with roast beef

cumin 4x 50.0% stumper $700 avg J:2 DJ:2

J $200 2012 Its seeds contain 2.5 to 4.5% cumaldehyde, an essential oil

DJ $1,000 1991 In Matthew 23, Jesus mentions mint & anise & this spice, an ingredient in chili & curry powder

J $400 1990 This major ingredient in curry powder also starts with "cu"

cilantro 4x $800 avg J:2 DJ:2

J $400 2005 This herb is also known as Chinese parsley or coriander

J $800 2012 Coriander is also called Chinese parsley or this

DJ $1,200 2007 The leaf of a young coriander plant, it's added to sour cream to make a topping for tacos

Cayenne 4x 25.0% stumper $975 avg J:3 DJ:1

J $500 1993 This very pungent pepper is said to have originated in French Guiana

J $1,200 DD 2009 This red hot chili pepper bears the name of the capital of French Guiana

J $600 2025 The capital of French Guiana or a Porsche SUV

Worth Knowing (14)

pepper 3 ginseng 3 catnip 3 caraway 3 mint 3 laurel 3 thyme 2 spearmint 2 savory 2 Herb Alpert 2 Ginger Spice 2 clove 2 Celery 2 rosemary & thyme 2

Herbs & Spices Study Guide

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