Name common seasonings and distinguish fresh herbs from dried spices.
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Common spices in Spanish
La especia is a spice; la especie means species. The similar spelling makes these easy to confuse.
Use these names with food vocabulary when reading ingredient lists.
la canelacinnamon · lah kah-NEH-lah
el cominocumin · el koh-MEE-noh
el clavo de olorclove (spice) · el KLAH-boh deh oh-LOR
la nuez moscadanutmeg · lah NWEHS mohs-KAH-dah
el jengibreginger · el hehn-HEE-breh
la cúrcumaturmeric · lah KOOR-koo-mah
el azafránsaffron · el ah-sah-FRAHN
el pimentónpaprika · el pee-mehn-TOHN
la pimienta negrablack pepper · lah pee-MYEHN-tah NEH-grah
Culinary herbs in Spanish
El perejil is parsley; el cilantro is cilantro. In Spanish, cilantro can name the plant and its seeds, so packaging often specifies semillas de cilantro.
Most herbs can be sold fresh or dried: fresco and seco change to match the herb’s gender.
la albahacabasil · lah ahl-bah-AH-kah
el perejilparsley · el peh-reh-HEEL
el cilantrocilantro · el see-LAHN-troh
el romerorosemary · el rroh-MEH-roh
el tomillothyme · el toh-MEE-yoh
el oréganooregano · el oh-REH-gah-noh
la salviasage · lah SAHL-byah
la hoja de laurelbay leaf · lah OH-hah deh lau-REHL
Seeds, herbs and seasoning terms in Spanish
La hierbabuena usually refers to spearmint; la menta is a broader mint term. Exact plant names on packaging may vary.
El condimento is a seasoning in general. It can be an herb, a spice or another ingredient used to flavor food.
el eneldodill · el eh-NEHL-doh
el estragóntarragon · el ehs-trah-GOHN
la hierbabuenaspearmint · lah yehr-bah-BWEH-nah
la mentamint · lah MEHN-tah
el anísanise · el ah-NEES
el sésamosesame · el SEH-sah-moh
la vainillavanilla · lah bai-NEE-yah
el condimentoseasoning · el kohn-dee-MEHN-toh
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Spices and Herbs in Spanish: full list
Review the meanings, pronunciation and usage notes, then use the printable worksheet to recall the Spanish.
Quick answer:cinnamon is la canela, cumin is el comino, clove (spice) is el clavo de olor, nutmeg is la nuez moscada, ginger is el jengibre, turmeric is la cúrcuma, saffron is el azafrán, paprika is el pimentón, and black pepper is la pimienta negra.
