Herbs & Spices

The strands of dried decorative chillies you may see in shops or kitchens are often of the arbol variety. These long, curved chillies mature from green to fiery red, uniquely retaining their bright scarlet upon drying. With intense heat and a subtle smoky flavour, these chillies are popular in western Mexican and Tex Mex cooking. Fry or soak before use for a deeper intensity.

Heat Level: 8-9/10

All parts of the coriander plant are edible, with the seeds releasing a lemony citrus flavour when ground. Coriander seeds complement both sweet and savoury foods and are often dry roasted to enhance and alter the aroma. Found in many different cuisines around the globe, the uses are plenty, from curries to pickling, and sausages to cakes. These whole seeds are best toasted and ground fresh, or left whole for pickling or infusing into slow-cooked dishes.

With less heat than your average chilli, you can safely take a good whiff of the ancho chilli. The complexity of its aroma is tantalising - sweet yet smoky, with notes of caramel and molasses. Add to chilli con carne or meat dishes such as spaghetti bolognese where a balance of sweetness and heat is required. These whole dried pods need rehydrating in warm water before blending into sauces, or can be toasted and ground fresh for a more vibrant, aromatic powder, ideal for traditional mole sauces.

Heat Level: 3/10

This wild and weedy perennial originated in Eastern Europe, where it still grows rampantly on road sides and in ditches. With anise-like characteristics, dill leaf is used to flavour pickles and preserves; garnish seafood, especially smoked salmon; and pep up white sauces.

Although larger than other mustard seeds, yellow mustard has less heat. It is the most commonly used variety, and when ground into a powder, is hotter than the whole seed. Used for culinary purposes since prehistoric times, mustard seeds are still being used in much the same way; to make mustard, marinate meats and fish, and flavour and thicken sauces.

One of the most popular and widely used herbs in the world today, parsley (also known as 'curled parsley') has a distinctive herbaceous, slightly bitter aroma and taste that works as a contrast to highlight other flavours. Dried parsley holds up well in cooked dishes like stocks and sauces, though fresh is still best for garnishing and finishing.

The caraway seed has a long and colourful history: fed to pigeons to keep them loyal to house and home, buried with ancient Egyptians, and simply enjoyed sprinkled on baked breads. Add this seed whole or ground to vegetables, breads (especially rye), savoury pies and pasties. Its fennel-like characteristics match beautifully with cheeses, apple, pork and cabbage.

Although lacking the green top-notes of fresh basil leaf, the dried variant has deeper, longer lasting flavours and aromas that do not dissipate as readily when added to stews, casseroles and pasta sauces.

This smoke-dried jalapeño chilli, native to Mexico, is famously used in the dish adobo. Its earthy smokiness yet floral sweet tones will make you reconsider the general perception of chillies as being nothing more than burning hot. Add this to anything you like chilli in - one of our favourites, it's sure to become yours too. These whole dried pods rehydrate for a smoky, complex sauce, or can be toasted and ground fresh for a more vibrant powder.

Heat Level: 6/10

Use these nutty, crunchy and striking coloured seeds to lift Asian dishes and modern desserts. Coat meat or fish in sesame seeds before cooking for flavour, colour and crunch. Popping up in desserts like tuiles and macarons, ice creams and eclairs, cakes, panna cottas and doughnuts, black sesame is the new poppy seed!

Not to be confused with mixed spice, allspice is so named for its exquisitely combinative tones of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Allspice is an ingredient in mixed spice as well as sweet baked goods; pickles, relishes and preserves; gravies and marinades; and winter drinks. The deep, fruity warmth of these earth-coloured berries complements red meats, seafood and root vegetables. Native to the West Indies and Central America, allspice, also known as pimento, is a key ingredient in Caribbean recipes such as Jamaican jerk seasoning. Also known as: Pimento, Jamaica pepper, Myrtle pepper.

Brown mustard seeds are commonly used for pickling and as a seasoning, and are the main ingredient in European and Chinese mustards. This ancient spice is from the same family as horseradish, watercress and wasabi, and shares with them the same hot and pungent characteristics. Often heated in oil to allow the flavour to infuse the dishes, mustard seeds can make plain vegetables interesting.

Fenugreek seeds are used widely in Middle Eastern and South Asian cookery. In India and Pakistan, the seeds are added to vegetables and rice; in Turkey, to hot pastes; in Egypt, they are boiled for a sweetened tea. The sweet aroma of fenugreek seeds is similar to maple syrup, while their flavour is savoury and nutty.

Mace blade is the lacy dried covering that is derived from the nutmeg seed. The mace is peeled off and dried, revealing a yellowish-reddish colour. Mace features prominently in Asian, Caribbean, Indian and Moroccan cuisines.

Sage has a peppery taste and is often used for flavouring rich and fatty foods, especially as a marinade. In German cuisine, it is often used to flavour sausages and in Italian cuisine, to make burro e salvia where sage is sautéed in olive oil and butter until crisp then served with pasta. In ancient times, sage was used to increase women's fertility! Also known as: Garden Sage, Salvia

Amchur is made from dried green mango and used predominantly as a souring agent in Indian cookery. It often replaces lemon juice in curries, vegetable dishes and marinades. As it pairs well with black pepper, amchur can be used on your favourite barbecue meats, tenderising the cut before cooking as well as adding flavour and aroma. Also known as: Green mango powder, Amchoor