Kindred Spices

Wattleseed is a star in the native Australian spice world; its earthy aromas of chocolate, coffee and hazelnut inspire creativity in the kitchen. Hand beaten from the pods of acacias by Indigenous Australians, wattleseed can be added to pancake batter, desserts, baked goods and sauces.

Cayenne pepper, contrary to its name, has nothing to do with pepper: it's a blend of hot chillies selected to provide a balance of heat. Use instead of chilli powder or even pepper. Great in scrambled eggs, frittatas and quiche. Also known as: Aleva, bird pepper, cow horn, guinea spice, hot chilli powder.

Heat Level: 8/10

Cassia - also known as Dutch cinnamon or baker's cinnamon - is bolder than true cinnamon. Cassia's sweet and spicy fragrance and flavour is more intense than that of cinnamon. Its slight bitterness makes it distinctly different from cinnamon and gives its sweetness depth. Cassia is delicious in more robust sweet dishes such as fruit cakes, strudels, compotes and crumbles. It is often used in curries and stews for a balancing sweetness.

Used across the world for its fresh anise flavour, fennel seed has found a place in many cultures and cuisines. It can be found in charcuterie, curries and on Indian dining tables, where the raw seeds are chewed after meals as a natural digestif and breath freshener. Great in vegetable and seafood dishes, pork sausages, meatballs, soup stocks, stews and curries. Also known as: Florence fennel, finnochio, lucky fennel seed

Widely used in Indian cooking, fenugreek leaf has a strong savoury aroma and subtle bitterness comparable to celery seed, which greatly enhance other flavours. Used in vegetable and fish curries as well as potato and spinach dishes, fenugreek leaf is strong and should be used sparingly towards the end of cooking.

Also known as 'mountain pepper', this fruit is picked from female wild shrubs on the mountain tops of northern Tasmania. Pepperberries are dark-blue to black in colour and succulent with a hot, crunchy seed cluster at their centre. Their floral, fruity bouquet is enlivened by a beguiling purplish-pink hue when crushed. An excellent spice for grinding with an intense bite that builds after consumption.

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

Rosemary has needle-like leaves and a pine-like flavour with bitter notes. This fragrant evergreen herb complements a wide variety of foods, most notably lamb. The dried leaves need a little time to soften and release their flavour, so they work best added early in soups, stews and braises.

Although lavender flowers are not widely used in culinary circles, their pleasant aroma and corresponding soft, sweet taste are well worth exploring. Find them in Herbes de Provence and Ras el Hanout blends, but on their own, use in biscuits, cakes and general sweet baking. In northern Africa, lavender flower is also added to meat dishes.

Nigella or kalonji is the botanical name of the plant evocatively known as 'love-in-a-mist'. These small black seeds do not have a strong aroma; the taste is nutty, earthy and slightly bitter, with a crunchy texture. In India, whole seeds are dry roasted or fried and spread over vegetarian dishes and salads.

Stick your nose into a sack of cloves and you will understand why ancient mariners claimed to smell the approach of the clove islands while still far out to sea. A terrific and much-used pungent addition to Christmas ham and baked goods, stewed and pickled fruit and vegetables, cakes, pastries and biscuits, German Glühwein, and many North African spice blends. This ground clove is milled fine and ready to use straight from the jar, an ideal option where whole cloves would be too strong or difficult to remove.

Bearing the heady fragrance of liquorice, star anise is used in the East as aniseed is in the West. It is one of the ingredients in Chinese five spice, and Chinese stocks and soups very often contain star anise, as do many other traditional Chinese dishes. With a deeper perfume and sweetness than fennel or aniseed, the flavour of star anise pairs exceptionally well with pork and duck. In Europe, star anise is added to fruit compotes and jams, as well as anisette liqueurs.

Juniper berry is in fact not a true berry but a cone. Its outer layers do not contain much flavour, so grinding or crushing maximises the release of its fresh green citrus flavours. Juniper imparts a sharp taste to meat dishes, especially wild birds and game meats.

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.

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.

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.