OREGANO

MARKET FORMS – Leaves, ground
DESCRIPTION – Pungent herb, known as the “pizza herb”
EXAMPLES OF USE – Italian & Mexican dishes, tomato products
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PAPRIKA

MARKET FORMS – Ground
DESCRIPTION – Ground form of a dried, sweet red pepper. Spanish variety is brighter in color, mild in flavor; Hungarian is darker and more pungent
EXAMPLES OF USE – Spanish: used (or overused) primarily
as garnish on light-colored foods; Hungarian: goulash, braised meats and poultry, sauces
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PARSLEY

MARKET FORMS – Fresh: whole sprigs, in bunches. Dried: in flakes
DESCRIPTION – Most widely used herb. Dark green curly or flat leaves with delicate, sweet flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Almost all foods
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PEPPER, BLACK & WHITE

MARKET FORMS – Whole (peppercorns); ground fine, medium, or coarse
DESCRIPTION – Small black or creamy white, hard berry. Pungent flavor and aroma
EXAMPLES OF USE – Most widely used spice
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(See Cayenne)
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POPPY SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole
DESCRIPTION – Tiny blue-black seeds with faint but distinctive flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Garnish for breads and rolls, buttered noodles; Ground: in pastry fillings
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ROSEMARY

MARKET FORMS – Whole
DESCRIPTION – Light green leaves resembling pine needles
EXAMPLES OF USE – Lamb, braised meats and poultry, soups, tomato and meat sauces
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SAFFRON

MARKET FORMS – Whole (threads)
DESCRIPTION – Red stigma of saffron crocus. Gives bright yellow color to foods. Mild distinctive flavor. Very expensive.
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SAGE

MARKET FORMS – Whole, rubbed (finer consistency than whole leaves), ground
DESCRIPTION – Pungent grey-green herb with fuzzy leaves
EXAMPLES OF USE – Pork, poultry, stuffings, sausage, beans, tomatoes
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SAVORY

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves
DESCRIPTION – Fragrant herb of mint family; summer savory is preferred to winter
EXAMPLES OF USE – Many meat, poultry, fish, egg and vegetables
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SESAME SEEDS

MARKET FORMS – Whole (hulled or unhulled)
DESCRIPTION – Small yellowish seed with nutlike taste. Familiar hamburger bun garnish. High oil content.
EXAMPLES OF USE – Bread and roll garnish
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TARRAGON

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves
DESCRIPTION – Delicate green herb with flavor that is both minty and licorice-like
EXAMPLES OF USE – Bearnaise sauce, tarragon vinegar, chicken, fish, salads and dressings, eggs
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THYME

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves, ground
DESCRIPTION – Tiny brownish-green leaves; very aromatic
EXAMPLES OF USE – One of the most important and versatile of herbs; stocks, soups, sauces, meats, poultry, tomatoes
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TURMERIC

MARKET FORMS – Ground
DESCRIPTION – Intense yellow root of ginger family; mild but distinctive peppery flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – A basic ingredient of curry powder; pickles, relishes, salads, eggs, rice
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CUMIN SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Small seed resembling caraway, but lighter in color
EXAMPLES OF USE – Ingredient of curry & chili powders; sausages & meats; egg & cheese dishes
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CURRY POWDER

MARKET FORMS – Ground blends
DESCRIPTION – A mixture of 16-20 spices, including red pepper, turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper; different brands vary greatly in flavor & hotness
EXAMPLES OF USE – Curried dishes, eggs, vegetables, fish, soups, rice
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DILL

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves (called “dill weed”), whole seed
DESCRIPTION – Herb & seed with familiar “dill pickle” flavor; seed is more pungent than the herb
EXAMPLES OF USE – Seed: pickling, sauerkraut, soups; Herb: salads, cheese dishes, fish & shellfish, some vegetables
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FENNEL

MARKET FORMS – Whole seed
DESCRIPTION – Greenish-brown seeds similar in flavor to anise, but larger size
EXAMPLES OF USE – Italian sausage, tomato sauce, fish
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GARLIC

MARKET FORMS – Fresh: whole bulbs; Dried: granulated, powder, & mixed with salt
DESCRIPTION – Strong, aromatic member of onion family; fresh bulbs composed of many small cloves
EXAMPLES OF USE – Wide variety of foods
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GINGER

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground (also fresh & candied or crystallized)
DESCRIPTION – Light brown, knobby root of ginger plant
EXAMPLES OF USE – Baked goods & desserts, fruits, curried dishes, braised meats: Fresh: in Chinese & other oriental dishes
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JUNIPER BERRIES

MARKET FORMS – Whole
DESCRIPTION – Slightly soft, purple berries with “piney” flavor; principal flavoring of gin
EXAMPLES OF USE – Marinades, game dishes, sauerkraut
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MACE

MARKET FORMS – Whole (“blade”), ground
DESCRIPTION- Orange outer covering of nutmeg; similar flavor, but milder
EXAMPLES OF USE – Baked goods, desserts, fruits, sausages, pork, fish, spinach, squash, other vegetables
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MARJORAM

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves
DESCRIPTION – Grey-green herb with pleasant aroma & slightly ,minty flavor, similar to oregano but much milder
EXAMPLES OF USE – Pates & ground meats, braised meats, sauces, roast lamb, poultry & poultry stuffings
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MINT

MARKET FORMS – Leaves
DESCRIPTION – Aromatic herb with familiar cool flavor; two varieties: spearmint & peppermint
EXAMPLES OF USE – Lamb, fruits, tea & fruit beverages, peas, carrots, potatoes
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MUSTARD SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground (also prepared mustard)
DESCRIPTION – Very pungent seed in two varieties: white or yellow, and brown. Brown is stronger.
EXAMPLES OF USE – Cheese & egg dishes, pickling, meats, sauces and gravies
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NUTMEG

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Sweet,aromatic kernel of nutmeg fruit
EXAMPLES OF USE – Soups, cream sauces, chicken, veal, many vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, squash, potatoes), desserts, custards, breads, pastries
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ALLSPICE

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Small brown berry; resembles blend of cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg
EXAMPLES OF USE – Sausages & braised meats, poached fish, stewed fruits, pies, puddings
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ANISE SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Small seed, licorice flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Cookies, pastries, breads
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BASIL

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves
DESCRIPTION – Aromatic leaf; member of mint family
EXAMPLES OF USE – Tomatoes & tomato dishes, pesto, egg dishes, lamb chops, eggplant, peas, squash
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BAY LEAVES

MARKET FORMS – Whole
DESCRIPTION – Stiff, dark green oblong leaves; pungent aroma
EXAMPLES OF USE – One of the most important herbs; used in stocks, sauces, stews, braised meats

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CARAWAY SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole
DESCRIPTION – Dark brown, curved seeds; familiar rye bread seasoning.
EXAMPLES OF USE – Rye bread, cabbage, sauerkraut, pork, cheese spreads, Eastern European dishes
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CARDAMOM

MARKET FORMS  – Whole pod, ground seed
DESCRIPTION – Tiny brown seeds inside white or green pod; sweet & aromatic; expensive
EXAMPLES OF USE – Pickling, Danish pastries, curries
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CAYENNE (red pepper)

MARKET FORMS – Ground
DESCRIPTION – Ground form of hot red pepper; looks like paprika, but is extremely hot
EXAMPLES OF USE – In small amounts in many sauces, soups, meat, fish, egg, & cheese dishes
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CELERY SEED

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground, ground mixed with salt (celery salt)
DESCRIPTION – Tiny brown seeds with strong celery flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Salads, cole slaw, salad dressings, tomato products
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CHERVIL

MARKET FORMS – Crushed leaves
DESCRIPTION – Herb with mild flavor of parsley & tarragon
EXAMPLES OF USE – Soups, salads, sauces, egg & cheese dishes
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CHILI POWDER

MARKET FORMS – Ground blend
DESCRIPTION – Blend of spices including cumin, chili peppers, oregano, garlic
EXAMPLES OF USE – Chili & Mexican dishes, egg dishes, appetizers, ground meat
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CHIVES

MARKET FORMS – Fresh, dried, frozen
DESCRIPTION – Grasslike herb with onion flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE- Salads, egg & cheese dishes, fish, soups
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CINNAMON

MARKET FORMS – Sticks, ground
DESCRIPTION – Aromatic bark of cinnamon or cassia trees
EXAMPLES OF USE – Pastries, breads, desserts, cooked fruits, ham, sweet potatoes, hot beverages
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CLOVES

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Dried flower buds of a tropical tree; pungent, sweet flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Whole: marinades, stocks, sauces, braised meats, ham, pickling; Ground: cakes, postries, fruits
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CORIANDER

MARKET FORMS – Whole, ground
DESCRIPTION – Round, light brown, hollow seed, slightly sweet, musty flavor
EXAMPLES OF USE – Pickling, sausage, pork, curried dishes, gingerbread
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