Vanilla is a secret ingredient flavouring our foods and beverages and is also present in many perfumes. This spice derives from the orchid family of the genus Vanilla, which is native to Mexico. The distinctive flavour and fragrance has made it a staple addition to sweet and savoury dishes and the ...

Cayenne pepper is a spicy chili often used in cooking to add heat to a dish and can be found in chili form, or dried and ground into a powder. The pepper originates from South and Central America, named after a city in French Guiana. This ingredient has been part of the Native American diet and ...

Though generally considered to be a typical Indian spice, the Indonesian-originated clove is not only an enticingly aromatic addition to masala tea or biryani, but an often overlooked antioxidant-rich flower bud. Part of the Myrtaceae family, responsible for other medicinally enriched botanicals ...

Cinnamon is a popular spice that is collected from the inner bark of trees. It can be used in both sweet and savoury cooking, as well as in drinks, and can be bought in the form of sticks, powder, and dried flowers (cassia buds). Aside from tasting delicious, this spice has many health benefits; ...

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the ginger family and is native to tropical south Asia. One of the main constituents of this spice is curcumin which possesses numerous body and health benefits. You can buy it in a dried powder form at supermarkets, as supplements in health food stores, or fresh ...