r/spices • • 22d ago

Monthly Spice Discussion : Grains of Selim: (Senegal pepper, negro pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica (West Africa)

14 Upvotes

Welcome to the 56th Monthly Spice Discussion.

In an effort to collectively build a wiki for every existing spice, there will be a monthly open discussion about a spice.

This month's discussion will be about Grains of Selim: (Senegal pepper, negro pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica (West Africa)


r/spices • • 22d ago

Monthly Vendor Thread

3 Upvotes

The only place to post your giveaways, sales & advertisements for this month.

For any question you can message the mod team in the sidebar.


r/spices • • 20h ago

Homemade garam masala

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48 Upvotes

- ½ cup coriander seeds
- ¼ cup cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons green cardamoms
- 2 tablespoons cloves
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorn
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 4 dried bay leaves
- 3 star anise
- tablespoon fennel seeds
- ½ small nutmeg
- 3 strands mace

I did not have any black cardamom so it was omitted.

Spices were toasted, cooled, then ground.

I prefer a coarse grind of spices.


r/spices • • 1d ago

What’re your favorite homemade spice blends?

12 Upvotes

I’m going to gift homemade seasonings for Christmas. What’re your favorite recipes?


r/spices • • 1d ago

Is this real saffron?

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4 Upvotes

The grocery stores where I live sell saffron for 30 euro per gram which is a bit much… I found this on Amazon and im wondering if anyone has any experience with this brand or if it seems legit. It’s just under 20 euro for 5g


r/spices • • 5d ago

I might have gone overboard

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39 Upvotes

r/spices • • 5d ago

Where to buy fresh spices?

8 Upvotes

I get fresh oregano at the farmers market but curious as to where you all find the freshest spices.

I primarily buy Ceylon cinnamon, basil, and garlic powder on Amazon but they are not exactly what I would call fresh

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated


r/spices • • 5d ago

BURR Grinder vs. Mortar and Pestle

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2 Upvotes

r/spices • • 7d ago

If you could only have 5 spice blends what would they be?

11 Upvotes

I'm curious if anyone else makes their own spice blends by the pound for the large shaker bottles? I'm hooked on

creole seasoning

seasoned salt

taco seasoning

a sausage blend that I use on beef.

Rani Tandoori seaoning (premade but I can't top that).

I'm finding I reach for these shakers every week for meal prep and when I do, I don't really need anything else. What kind of spice blends do you have for on the ready and burn through at an alarming rate?


r/spices • • 9d ago

Help Identifying These Spices

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27 Upvotes

My boss wont tell me whats in the mix but im obsessed! This is just the bottle its in. She comes in hours before anyone to prep and so theres no way of me watching her make it.


r/spices • • 10d ago

Subbing Five Spice for Whole Spices in Chili Crisp?

0 Upvotes

My favorite recipe for chili crisp calls for sliced ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick to be fried to infuse the oil. Looking at the ingredients for Penzey's five spice, it's similar but in dried and ground form: Chinese cinnamon, star anise, anise seed, ginger, and cloves. Would a teaspoon added to the chilis per a quart of oil seem like a reasonable starting place? I've never worked with five spice and am trying to guesstimate.


r/spices • • 13d ago

Any idea what this spice blend is?

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37 Upvotes

Bought it years ago for a specialty dish and cannot remember for the life of me what for.

It smells sweet and spicy, choking if I inhale too deeply.


r/spices • • 14d ago

spice for pomegranate

10 Upvotes

my dad used to put some kind of persian spice on top of pomegranate seeds before eating them - anybody know what that could be? it made the pomegranate taste even tangier/better! it was kinda yellow/brown if i remember correctly? thank you so much in advance!


r/spices • • 17d ago

Struggling with spice blend.

4 Upvotes

Just made a blend consisting of:

1 part Jimmy Nardello

2 parts Seranno

1/2 ish part garlic salt

It tastes soo good but I am unsure how to use it. Was thinking about a dry rub for meat but I've never done that before.


r/spices • • 19d ago

Spice Island Hickory Smoked Salt discontinued ?

3 Upvotes

So I bought this for years and it became more and more difficult to find. It’s on their site, but no reputable company has it anywhere online or in person that I can find. Maybe I can find a dupe or make my own? Any suggestions?


r/spices • • 19d ago

DIY Spice Storage/Organizer

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24 Upvotes

I got a lot of spices in random containers all over the place. I wanted a more uniform look so I came up with a plan.

I gathered everything and made my own spice drawer/organizer. The drawer is made from 1/4 baltic birch plywood while the shelf is made from 1/2 in. Please go easy on judging. It's my first DIY wood project.

I got the airtight glass jars off Amazon along with the labels. I also attached plastic spoons to the lid of each jar with bead strings.

It's unfinished, of course. I want to paint over the plywood but I need some sort of inspiration. I don't want solid color and would prefer some sort of motor but can't come up with an idea.


r/spices • • 29d ago

Freshly plucked Cardamom

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512 Upvotes

r/spices • • Sep 21 '26

what kind of mortar pestle should i get?

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22 Upvotes

So I am thinking of getting a mortar pestle for myself. I am 25 F and live alone, and usually want something to make chutneys or some batter for dosa of chilla. I was thinking to get a blender but I will not use that much. So which one of these would be better granite mortar pestle and black stone mortar pestle. Both of them around same price and same dimensions like 8 inch. but i want something that would be robust and low effort, now low effort compare to my old steel one which one only meant for garlic and ginger.


r/spices • • Sep 19 '26

Is this too much spices ?

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25 Upvotes

I was told that my wife and I keep a lot of spices. We have a whole drawer and part of the cupboard filled with all kinds of spices. That’s an Arab kitchen for you!


r/spices • • Sep 18 '26

Onion Powder

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32 Upvotes

After 5 months, I came back and found my (not so air tight) jar with onion powder like this. I guess it's cause of humidity.

It smells lovely (as lovely as onion powder can get)

Should I throw it away or is it fine to use?


r/spices • • Sep 14 '26

Just bit into a piece of star anise. Currently suffering.

21 Upvotes

Star anise is a double-edged sword. It can bring a wonderful flavor to food, but when it gets stuck between your teeth, it unleashes that flavor with brutal force, taking revenge for being denied the chance to reproduce.


r/spices • • Sep 13 '26

What is this spice in my Biryani? [Karnataka] [India]

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13 Upvotes

r/spices • • Sep 13 '26

Needing a New Mexican chili powder.

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1 Upvotes

r/spices • • Sep 13 '26

Which is the most authentic brand for kashmiri saffron in india that you've personally used or people in your family use

1 Upvotes

Same as the title, Thank you 🙏🙏


r/spices • • Sep 12 '26

Noob to cooking: how did you learn what spices went well with which dishes?

49 Upvotes

I am ashamed to say that I grew up not doing any cooking for myself. I mean, I love my family’s cooking, so I always just ate what they made, and I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that. I just look back and realize how I kinda screwed myself over as an adult who doesn’t really know how to cook.

Would love to hear how yall learned which spices paired with different things, and any tips would be greatly appreciated ❤️