Vocabulary: Spices, Herbs & Seasoning

Welcome to the aromatic world of cooking! In this interactive vocabulary lesson, we will cover the essential English words you need to talk about flavor.

We will explore the difference between leafy herbs, ground spices, everyday liquid seasonings, and the adjectives native speakers use to describe how food tastes. Read through the vocabulary, test your knowledge in the quizzes, and complete today's kitchen missions below.

Spices, Herbs & Seasoning

The master guide to culinary flavor! Explore the vocabulary for ground spices, fresh leafy herbs, liquid condiments, and taste descriptions.

warning Herb vs. Spice Trap

Many English learners use the words "herb" and "spice" interchangeably. In English cooking terminology, there is a clear difference:

Herbs come from the leafy green part of a plant (like mint, basil, or parsley).
Spices come from the root, stem, seed, or bark of a plant, and are usually dried and ground into powder (like cinnamon, cumin, or black pepper).

restaurant_menu 1. Interactive Vocabulary

Filter the categories below and click on any card to reveal its definition and audio pronunciation.

bolt 2. Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of culinary vocabulary.

visibility Definition Match

Which green herb is very commonly used in Italian cooking and on pizza?

category Category Match

Is Turmeric considered a spice or a herb?

warning VOCABULARY TRAP

The word "Hot" can mean high temperature. But in cooking, what else does it mean?

psychology Idiom Meaning

If someone tells you to "spice things up" in your presentation, they want you to...

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Quiz Complete!

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target 3. Action Missions

Complete these real-world tasks to lock the vocabulary into your memory.

Pantry Check 🔎 Go to your kitchen and look in the cupboards. Find 3 spices or herbs from this list and say their English names out loud.

Recipe Share ✍️ Write down the name of your favorite dish. Underneath it, list at least three seasonings or spices used to make it in English.

cloud_download 4. Study Resources

Lesson Summary & Review

Let's review the key concepts covered in the interactive module above to ensure you are ready to talk about flavor like a pro.

Herbs vs. Spices

• Herbs: These come from the leafy, green part of a plant. They can be used fresh or dried. (e.g., Mint, Basil, Parsley).
• Spices: These come from other parts of the plant, such as the root, stem, seed, or bark. They are usually dried and often ground into a powder. (e.g., Cinnamon, Black pepper, Turmeric).

Describing Taste

When someone asks "How does it taste?", native speakers use specific adjectives rather than just "good" or "bad":

• Spicy / Hot: Used for foods that cause a burning sensation (like chili).
• Savory: A rich, salty, and fulfilling flavor (like roasted meat or soy sauce).
• Bland: A negative word used when food has no flavor at all.