The A–Z Guide to Our Ingredients
What makes a great spice blend? It all starts with the ingredients. From fragrant herbs and warming spices to tangy citrus, fiery peppers and savoury vegetables, every ingredient has a role to play.
Explore the herbs, spices, seeds, peppers and other ingredients in the A Spice Affair ingredient catalogue. Discover their flavour profiles and learn what they bring to a seasoning blend.
Some add a distinctive flavour. Others provide colour, texture, sweetness or balance. Together, they create the layers of flavour behind our seasoning blends.
A
Aleppo Pepper
A fruity chili pepper with gentle heat and a subtle earthy character.
What it brings to a blend: Balanced warmth, fruity depth and a touch of chili heat.
Ancho Chili
A dried poblano pepper with mild heat and rich, fruity notes.
What it brings to a blend: Depth, dark colour and mellow heat.
Anise
An aromatic seed with a sweet, distinctive liquorice-like flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Sweet aromatic notes and complexity.
Annatto
Also known as achiote, annatto is a seed with a vivid reddish-orange colour and mild, earthy flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Warm colour and subtle earthiness.
B
Basil
A fragrant herb with sweet, peppery and slightly floral notes.
What it brings to a blend: Herbal freshness and aromatic sweetness.
Bay Leaves
Aromatic leaves with woody, herbal and subtly floral notes.
What it brings to a blend: Herbal depth and a rounded savoury aroma.
Bell Peppers
Dehydrated green and red bell peppers contribute a mild, vegetal flavour. Red varieties tend to be sweeter, while green peppers taste grassier.
What they bring to a blend: Vegetable sweetness, colour and fresh-tasting savoury notes.
Black Pepper
A pungent, aromatic spice with woody and peppery notes. Different grind sizes influence both texture and flavour release.
What it brings to a blend: Sharpness, warmth and a classic savoury backbone.
C
Caraway
An aromatic seed with earthy, slightly sweet and anise-like notes.
What it brings to a blend: Warmth and distinctive herbal complexity.
Cardamom
A fragrant spice with sweet, floral and citrusy notes.
What it brings to a blend: Fragrance, freshness and aromatic complexity.
Cassava Flour
A fine flour made from cassava root, with a relatively neutral flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Body and texture without introducing a dominant flavour.
Cayenne Pepper
A ground chili pepper known for its pronounced heat.
What it brings to a blend: Direct, concentrated chili heat.
Celery Seeds
Small, aromatic seeds with a concentrated celery flavour and a slightly bitter finish.
What they bring to a blend: Savoury depth and a distinctive vegetable-like aroma.
Chervil
A delicate herb with fresh, mildly sweet and anise-like notes.
What it brings to a blend: Subtle herbal freshness.
Chives
A mild herb with a fresh, delicate onion flavour.
What they bring to a blend: Gentle onion notes, freshness and green colour.
Cilantro Leaves
A distinctive herb with bright, citrusy and fresh green notes.
What they bring to a blend: Herbal brightness and freshness.
Cinnamon
A fragrant spice with warm, sweet and woody notes. Available in ground, cut and stick forms.
What it brings to a blend: Warmth, aromatic sweetness and depth.
Citric Acid
A concentrated source of tartness with a clean, citrus-like taste.
What it brings to a blend: Acidity, brightness and balance against rich or sweet flavours.
Coconut Powder
A powdered coconut ingredient with a mild, naturally sweet coconut flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Coconut flavour, sweetness and a rounded taste.
Coffee
Ground coffee contributes roasted, bitter and earthy flavour notes.
What it brings to a blend: Roasted depth and a rich, dark flavour profile.
Coriander
Coriander seeds have a warm, citrusy and slightly nutty flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Brightness, warmth and aromatic balance.
Cucumber Powder
Dehydrated cucumber with a mild, fresh vegetal taste.
What it brings to a blend: Light vegetable notes and a fresh-tasting character.
Cumin
A distinctive spice with warm, earthy and slightly nutty notes.
What it brings to a blend: Earthiness, warmth and savoury depth.
F
Fennel
An aromatic seed with sweet, herbal and liquorice-like notes.
What it brings to a blend: Sweetness and a distinctive aromatic lift.
Fenugreek
An earthy seed with slightly bitter, nutty and sweet notes.
What it brings to a blend: Depth, warmth and a distinctive savoury aroma.
G
Galangal
An aromatic rhizome with peppery, citrusy and pine-like notes.
What it brings to a blend: Zesty warmth and aromatic complexity.
Garlic
A bold, savoury ingredient with pungent, aromatic flavour. Roasted garlic adds a sweeter, mellower character.
What it brings to a blend: Savoury intensity, depth and richness.
Ginger
A warming spice with zesty, peppery and slightly sweet notes.
What it brings to a blend: Warmth, freshness and aromatic lift.
Gochugaru
Korean red pepper flakes with vibrant colour, fruity flavour and variable chili heat.
What it brings to a blend: Fruity warmth, colour and a rounded chili character.
Green Peppercorns
Peppercorns with a fresher, greener and generally milder character than black pepper.
What they bring to a blend: Fresh-tasting peppery notes and gentle pungency.
Guajillo Chili
A dried Mexican chili with fruity, earthy and mildly spicy notes.
What it brings to a blend: Rich red colour, fruity depth and mellow heat.
H
Habanero Chili
An intensely hot pepper with distinctive fruity and aromatic notes.
What it brings to a blend: Powerful heat and tropical-fruit-like notes.
Hibiscus
A botanical ingredient with a tart, fruity and floral character.
What it brings to a blend: Tartness, floral notes and vibrant colour.
Honey Granules
A granulated honey ingredient with characteristic honey-like sweetness.
What they bring to a blend: Sweetness, rounded flavour and balance against salt, acidity or heat.
J
Jaggery
A less-refined sugar with rich, caramel-like and sometimes earthy notes.
What it brings to a blend: Deep sweetness and caramel-like complexity.
Jalapeño
A chili pepper with a fresh, vegetal flavour and noticeable heat.
What it brings to a blend: Green pepper flavour and lively chili heat.
Juniper Berries
Aromatic berries with pine-like, woody and citrusy notes.
What they bring to a blend: Resinous freshness and aromatic depth.
L
Lemon Peel
Dried lemon peel with bright, zesty citrus notes.
What it brings to a blend: Freshness, brightness and aromatic citrus flavour.
M
Mace
A spice made from the outer covering of nutmeg, with warm, sweet and aromatic notes.
What it brings to a blend: Delicate warmth and fragrant complexity.
Maple Sugar
A sweet ingredient with the distinctive flavour of maple.
What it brings to a blend: Maple sweetness, caramel-like notes and balance.
Marjoram
A delicate herb with sweet, floral and slightly earthy notes.
What it brings to a blend: Gentle herbal sweetness and aromatic balance.
Mint
A refreshing herb with cool, aromatic notes. The catalogue includes both mint and spearmint forms.
What it brings to a blend: Freshness and a distinctive cooling aroma.
Molasses Granules
A sweet ingredient with deep, rich and slightly bitter caramel-like notes.
What they bring to a blend: Dark sweetness and flavour depth.
N
Nutritional Yeast
A savoury ingredient with nutty, umami-rich flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Savoury richness, depth and a rounded umami character.
O
Onion
Dehydrated onion adds concentrated sweet and savoury flavour. The catalogue includes granulated and powdered forms.
What it brings to a blend: Savoury sweetness, aroma and depth.
Orange Peel
Dried orange peel with fragrant, sweet and zesty notes.
What it brings to a blend: Citrus brightness and aromatic sweetness.
Oregano
An aromatic herb with earthy, peppery and slightly bitter notes.
What it brings to a blend: Robust herbal flavour and savoury complexity.
P
Paprika
A ground pepper spice that can range from mild and sweet to richly smoky.
What it brings to a blend: Red colour, mellow pepper flavour and, in smoked varieties, a smoky aroma.
Parsley
A versatile herb with fresh, grassy and gently peppery notes.
What it brings to a blend: Herbal freshness and green colour.
Pasilla Negro Chili
A dried Mexican chili with dark, earthy and subtly fruity notes.
What it brings to a blend: Dark colour, complex flavour and mild warmth.
Pink Peppercorns
Fragrant pink berries with fruity, floral and gently peppery notes.
What they bring to a blend: Delicate pungency, fragrance and colour.
Poppy Seeds
Tiny seeds with a mild, nutty flavour and delicate crunch.
What they bring to a blend: Texture, visual contrast and subtle nuttiness.
R
Raw Brown Sugar
A sweet ingredient with mild caramel and molasses-like notes.
What it brings to a blend: Sweetness, balance and caramel-like depth.
Red Chili
Dried red chili, available in ground and crushed forms, adds varying degrees of heat.
What it brings to a blend: Chili heat, colour and pungency.
Rosemary
A fragrant herb with woody, pine-like and peppery notes.
What it brings to a blend: Bold herbal aroma and savoury depth.
S
Safflower Leaves
A dried botanical ingredient from the safflower plant, with a delicate herbal character.
What they bring to a blend: Subtle botanical notes and visual interest.
Salt
A foundational seasoning ingredient. The catalogue includes fine salt, sea salt and pink Himalayan salt.
What it brings to a blend: Saltiness and enhanced perception of other flavours.
Scallions
Dehydrated green onions with mild, fresh onion-like notes.
What they bring to a blend: Gentle onion flavour, freshness and colour.
Scotch Bonnet Pepper
A very hot chili with fruity, aromatic notes.
What it brings to a blend: Intense heat and fruity complexity.
Sesame Seeds
Nutty seeds available in black and toasted forms. Toasting develops a deeper roasted aroma.
What they bring to a blend: Nuttiness, texture and visual contrast.
Spinach
A leafy vegetable available in dehydrated leaf and powder forms.
What it brings to a blend: Mild vegetal notes and green colour.
Star Anise
A star-shaped spice with an intense, sweet liquorice-like aroma.
What it brings to a blend: Sweet aromatic intensity and warming complexity.
Sumac
A deep-red spice with bright, tangy and citrus-like flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Acidity, brightness and a fruity tang.
Szechuan Peppercorns
An aromatic spice with citrusy notes and a distinctive tingling sensation.
What they bring to a blend: Citrus-like aroma and tingling pungency.
T
Thyme
An aromatic herb with earthy, woody and slightly floral notes.
What it brings to a blend: Herbal depth and savoury complexity.
Tomato
Dehydrated tomato, available in flakes and powder, offers concentrated tomato flavour.
What it brings to a blend: Savoury richness, gentle acidity, umami and colour.
Turmeric
A golden-yellow spice with earthy, warm and slightly bitter notes.
What it brings to a blend: Golden colour, earthiness and warmth.
V
Vanilla Powder Mix
A powdered vanilla-flavoured ingredient used to introduce sweet, fragrant notes.
What it brings to a blend: Sweet aroma and a rounded flavour.
Vinegar Powder
Distilled white vinegar in powdered form, with a sharp, tangy character.
What it brings to a blend: Tanginess, acidity and flavour contrast.
W
White Pepper
A pungent spice with earthy, peppery notes and a distinct character from black pepper.
What it brings to a blend: Peppery warmth without the dark specks of black pepper.
Why Every Ingredient Matters
Creating a seasoning blend is about more than combining spices. Each ingredient contributes something to the final flavour.
- Warmth: Cinnamon, ginger, cumin and other aromatic spices.
- Heat: Chili peppers such as cayenne, habanero and Aleppo pepper.
- Freshness: Herbs and citrus peel.
- Depth: Garlic, onion, tomato and nutritional yeast.
- Balance: Sweet ingredients, salt and acidic ingredients.
- Texture and colour: Seeds, herbs, paprika and other colourful ingredients.
The secret is finding the right balance so that every ingredient has a purpose.
Discover the Ingredients Behind the Flavour
From everyday essentials like garlic and paprika to distinctive ingredients like galangal, sumac and Aleppo pepper, each ingredient offers its own possibilities.
At A Spice Affair, our seasoning blends bring different flavours together to make everyday cooking more exciting.
Explore Our Spice Blends
