8 Herbs and Spices Every Kitchen Must Have

You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsey to cook well and prepare delicious meals in your kitchen.

But some herbs and spices can make your life as a foodie much more accessible and tastier if you stock them in your pantry, whether you’re just starting on your culinary adventure or are an old pro who has been coloring all your life. 

These eight herbs and spices online should be among the first that you put in your kitchen cupboard so you can always access them whenever you want to add something special to your food!

1) Basil

Basil, a member of the mint family, is a popular herb with many culinary uses. It’s used in pesto and tomato sauces as well as salads. Basil is also used in Thai cuisine to flavor soups and curries. 

There are three varieties of basil available: sweet, spicy, and licorice. Sweet basil has a mild flavor perfect for Italian recipes, while spicy basil adds heat to dishes like curries or eggplant parmigiana. Licorice basil adds an exciting twist to any dish it is added to by adding sweetness along with its licorice flavor.

2) Cumin

Cumin is a common spice that many people have in their kitchens. This herb or spice is often used in Mexican dishes or curry dishes. To use cumin, you must add a teaspoon of ground cumin to your word. Using whole cumin seeds will take more time as you must fry them before adding them to the dish. 

Cumin can be found in most grocery stores across the United States, but if you cannot find it there, try looking for it at your local international market because they usually carry a variety of spices.

3) Garlic

Garlic is one of the most versatile spices for anything from a meat rub to pasta sauce. It’s also one of the easiest herbs to grow, making it an easy addition to any herb garden. 

Garlic is a great way to add flavor without adding salt or fat, so it’s perfect for diets. The only downside to garlic is that it can burn quickly in high heat, so be careful when frying it!

4) Ginger

Ginger is a great spice to have on hand for many reasons. Not only does it add flavor, but it also has health benefits. Many people use ginger to treat nausea or other stomach issues. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory, so that it can help with arthritis, joint pain, or any further inflammation in the body. You can’t go wrong with having this spice in your kitchen!

5) Oregano

Oregano is a herb that adds flavor to soups, sauces, pasta dishes, etc. It can also be used as a medicine to treat an upset stomach or an ear infection. You can buy either dried oregano or fresh oregano. 

If you buy dried oregano, store it in a dry place, so it doesn’t get moldy. To use it, either crush the leaves before cooking with them or stir them into the dish after cooking them briefly in olive oil. I usually sprinkle some on top of my pasta dish when serving it.

6) Rosemary

Turmeric is one of the most valuable spices in the world. It’s a significant component of curry, one of the most popular spices in Indian cooking. 

This bright yellow-orange spice has a slightly peppery taste with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Turmeric also contains curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce pain from arthritis or other diseases.

7) Thyme

Thyme is a herb with a strong flavor that adds a savory element to many dishes. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, but it’s most commonly found in soups, stews, sauces, or sprinkled over roasted vegetables. It also pairs nicely with tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, squash, and mushrooms. 

The leaves are the part of the plant that you can use for cooking; try chopping them up finely before adding them to your dish. You’ll find thyme dried at most grocery stores – it will last about six months if stored properly. Fresh thyme will have more flavor than dried thyme because the oils haven’t been lost during drying, so you’ll find it more expensive.

8) Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has a bright yellow color. A mild, slightly peppery flavor is used in curries and other dishes. It’s also used to make mustard yellow. 

Turmeric has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years in China, India, the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that herbs and spices are a great way to flavor your food. It also offers an easy way to make dishes healthier without making any changes! They’re perfect for when you’re not sure what flavors will work well together, they make cooking more accessible, they can be used in sweet or savory dishes, and they can be stored away for months.