I thought I would switch up today’s post a bit and share a little bit of personal food information with everyone. I am going to share with you my favorite herbs and spices that I use on a regular basis. What I would like to see from everyone that reads this post is that they add a comment and inside the comment include their top 10 herbs and spices. After a couple of weeks I will compile a list of the most commonly used herbs and spices and do a follow up post. I think it will be fun to see and read everyone’s different tastes.
Zesty’s Top 10 Herbs and Spices:
1. Garlic
2. Ginger
3. Rosemary
4. Basil
5. Cumin Seed
6. Pepper
7. Red Pepper Flakes
8. Salt
9. Thyme
10. Cilantro
I look forward to hearing everyone’s responses of favorites. Have a great Friday!!
Zesty
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
Cilantro has always been my favorite! Love the pictures! Great post!
I have to admit I dont use spices that much… I really am not a big spice person… I cant stand when something has cilantro in it and even basil… i think i have a very sensitive palate and sometimes it is just over powering to me. However I do like garlic!
I love spices and I especially love cilantro! Fresh is always the best way to go in my opinion!
Looks like a good top ten list to me! Pink peppercorns don’t even make my top 20!
What a great post! My favorites are actually exactly the same as yours, with one exception: I’m not really crazy about cumin. I would replace that on my list with smoked paprika.
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
Umm ok, here’s mine:
capers
1) Black Pepper
2) Saffron
3) Garlic
4) rosemary
5) Shallots
6) Cinnamon
7) salt
9) parsley
10)tarragon ( for that fragant creamy french chicken recipe)
You pretty much covered all of mine: love cilantro! The one that isn’t on your list is dill: it’s so good for so many things.
garlic
onion
nutmeg
cinnamon
cumin
cilantro
mint
black pepper
oregano
salt
that’s my top ten ^^
good post
1) Garlic (I put it in everything)
Chili Powder (I end up looking for excuses to put this in things)
2) Sea Salt (way better than regular)
3) Whole Pepper Corns (cook with them in a soaking bag sometime, you get a lot stronger flavor than ground)
4) Basil ( which I get from my herb garden, every good italian dish needs fresh basil)
5) Mint ( I grow this also, goes in alot of drinks and desserts)
6) Rosemary ( I grow this too, try it sometime in your green beans)
7) Thyme (this is in my garden too. I like to put it on sea-food)
9) Cinnamon
10) Cilantro (goes great in anything really)
Hi! I love them all, but my favorites are ginger, garlic and basil. Ginger because I like Asian tastes. Also because it’s one of the few things that helps me really enjoy broccoli. Garlic because it has remarkable health benefits and you can put it in just about anything and it enhances flavor. Basil because it works with salads and other uplifting summer foods. Also because it adds a splash of pretty healthful looking color. How wonderful to live in a world with so many options. You could do posts like this all the time and never run out of wonderful foods to feature, plus you’d get comments forever. Indie Love, dM.
Hmmm, I don’t think salt and pepper should count as a spice as it is a necessity to bind the other spices and flavors. Unless I guess if you are doing a super salty dish or a cracked black pepper tuna.
Anyhoo.
1. Garlic
2. Thyme
3. Basil
4. Oregano
5. Italian Parsley
6. Chives
7. Ground Mustard Seed
8. Dill
9. Ginger (fresh and ground)
10. Lemongrass
I’m a strong believer that garlic can go in anything. I also have a tendancy to sprinkle basil on top of everything. Herbs and spices are the easiest way to add flavor to a dish without adding oils, butter, and other fats.
Your herb pictures are so beautiful!I think I’ll take some ribs with those delicious looking fries for dinner:)
Love the pictures, the herbs are a great addition to any recipe and have great health benefits. Fresh is always better but for convenience should always have the dried on hand.
great list! My list usually consist of:
(they aren’t in any particular order)
Garlic
Basil
Parsley
Black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Paprika
Salt (just a tad)
Red pepper flakes
Rosemary
Onion Powder
Wow, what great pics of herbs! I’ll be checking out some recipes, thank you very much
I use alot of the same seasonings… except for the red pepper. I do use it, just not too much and not often, I can’t handle spicy.
I also use a TON of cinnamon during this season. I guess it’s more for baking that cooking, but I still use a lot.
Hmm…I guess it would be more fair for me to list the “most used” spices in my household
1. Garlic
2. Sea Salt
3. Garlic
4. Red Pepper Flakes
5. Italian Seasoning
6. Cinnamon
7. Dill
8. Rosemary
9. Seasoning Salt (I know I know)
10. Garlic Salt
Apparently I use WAY too much salt
but I’m working on it!!
I just found your site today – it’s really well done and your pictures are fantastic. Most all of these are my top ten too. Rosemary smells so good but I just don’t like the flavor (I wish I did because there are so many wonderful recipes using it). Garlic is my absolute number one.
Agreed a 100%.
I thought you’d dig the ‘Zesty’ wontons. They were pretty spicy with the serrano. I’m going to tone it down when I ‘bake’ them next time.
1. cinnamon
2. kosher salt
3. garlic salt
4. cumin
5. garlic
6. cilantro
7. pepper
8. red pepper flakes
9. basil
10. chipotle chili powder
I’ve heard a lot of buzz about cumin seeds lately! I need to track those down. Here are my current top ten (not in any particular order):
1 – Garlic (with ya on that one)
2 – Fennel pollen
3 – Cumin
4 – Red pepper flakes
5 – Rosemary
6 – Grains of paradise
7 – Smoked paprika
8 – Cilantro (including the stems)
9 – Italian parsley
10 – Turmeric
my favorite is Basil. it just adds the correct flavor to tomatoes which is my favorite too.
Your 10 are a great start, but there is no way I could keep my list to only 10. As was memtioned already, I would remove salt and pepper as they are a gimme. I’m cooking for elderly mother who lives with me so I don’t use much red pepper but would leave that in the list.
To your list I would HAVE to add:
-Nutmeg … use it on just about everything!
-Dill … my mother’s favorite. Potatos soup, yum.
-Sage …chicken, pumpkin and pork gotta have it.
-Mint … HELLO? Mojitos and yogurt/mint sauce for lamb, etc.
-Oregano… fresh oregan and basil for homemade pizza
-Tarragon…Fresh spinach, green peas, chicken salad
-Parsley…Well, my cilantro failed this year, but parsley ok.
-Herbs de Provence…ok, it’s a mix, but I use it A LOT!
Great survey,
Elizabeth Beil
WOW – Thanks for everyone’s comments. I will leave the list grow and then I will go through it and complile a list of common herbs and spices… This was very fun.
Zesty
Hi Cory
My must-haves list would be
1. Salt
2. Turmeric powder – thus the blog name
3. Ginger
4. Onion
5. Garlic
6. Cloves
7. Cinnamon stick
8. Cardamon seed
9. Anise seed
The last 4 are good when making chicken soup or spicy honey chicken.
How could I forget?!? In addition to Zesty’s list and my list above please add:
-chili pwd
-cinnamon
-clove
-coffee
-chocolate
All of the above are esentials in my molas and chili, etc. and many other applications.
-coriander
-chives…potato and soup topping, fresh from the garden
-safron…expensive indulgence for risotto, etc
-smoked paprika
-chipotle pwd
-mustard seed
I’ll probably think of more later, but it’s hard to imagine being without any of my kitchen helpers.
Elizabeth Beil
This is soooo difficult – I love everything
1. garlic
2. rosemary
3. basil
4. salt (coarse kosher)
5. cayenne
6. chipotle
7. smoked paprika
8. bay
9. cumin
10. cardamom
(and i’ve totally developed a love affair with buying whole spices [cumin, mustard, coriander, etc.] and roasting and grinding them myself – the aroma is unbelievable)
For myself I would have to add sage to the list. I am not sure why but have always been pretty darn fond of it
OOh this is a good one! Let me see..hmmm
Pepper, of course
Garlic
Basil
Parsley (it adds such a great flavor to fresh salsas and such)
ummmmm
cumin
ooh and this doesn’t count as a single one, but I could not LIVE without my Italian Seasoning!!!!!
Oooo, here are mine.
1. Garlic
2. Basil
3. Black pepper
4. Cilantro
5. Cumin
6. Ginger
7. Chile/Cayenne
8. Rosemary
9. Thyme
10. Salt
Hmmmm, tough to decide, but I’m not a huge fan of Rosemary or Thyme.
I’d exchange the Red Pepper for Cayenne Pepper
Also add Cinnamon and Oregano
And if you can call Garlic an herb or spice, then I can add Lemon to my list.
First of all, great photos.
1. Basil
2. Fennel seeds
3. Red pepper flakes
4. Goya Sazon con achiote
5. kosher salt or flavored salt
6. fresh ground black pepper
7. Italian parsley
8. Nutmeg
9. Mint
10. Rosemary
… and my favorite finishing touches of olive oil and/or lemon.
This was fun…thanks!
1. garlic
2. lemon
3. nutmeg
4. dill
5. cinnamon
6. Greek oregano
7. sea salt
8. black pepper
9. white pepper
10.cilantro
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment!
Great photos of the herbs! And your ribs are to die for. I love your step by step instuctions and photos with your recipes.
My top ten favorite herbs and spices are: garlic, coarse kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, rosemary, basil, fennel seeds, sage, tarragon, thyme, and of course cilantro.
Thanks everyone, alot of great feedback thus far. I can’t wait to compile the list for all to see. I will report back in after everyone has a chance to post their top 10…
It’s hard for me to pick just ten!
1. Cinnamon
2. Garlic
3. Cumin
4. Dill Weed
5. Basil
6. Parsley
7. Rosemary
8. Cloves
9. Himalayan Salt
10. Chile Powder
What a great idea! Here are mine:
1 garlic
2 cilantro
3 oregano
4 basil
5 rosemary
6 saffron
7 mint
8 curry powder
9 thyme
10 sage
I’m looking forward to the top 10 you end up with!
I love love love garlic, as one can see in one of my previous posts.
My friend got asked what her favorite spice was in an interview once. I like your list.
You are making me use my brain at 1am! Mine are:
1)garlic
2)basil
3)coriander
4)curry powder
5)chipotle
6)cinnamon
7)pepper
8)coarse sea salt
9)garam masala
10)cocoa
1. garlic
2. onion powder
3. black pepper
4. red pepper flakes
5. zatarain’s cajun spice
6. basil
7. ginger (does this count?)
8. cinnamon
ok, i’m out. that was fun.
beautiful pictures zesty!!! great blog!
i love this topic of yours – top 10 herbs / spices
1. garlic
2. basil
3. red pepper flakes
4. cinnamon
5. salt
6. black pepper
7. oregano
8. cumin
9. curry
10. garam masala
1: garlic
2: pepper
3: salt
4: basil
5: sage
6: oregano
7: cinnamon
8: rosemary
9: marjoram
10: parsley
You know, I’ve never actually sat down and thought about this. Heh, my list isn’t very exotic…
Cardamom would have to knock out one of yours. Otherwise I pretty much agree with you.
Beautiful pictures! Love it
Salt (kosher, fleur de sel, smoked)
onions
garlic
cayenne pepper
paprika (sweet Hungarian, smoked hot, smoked sweet)
black pepper
thyme
mint
ginger
cinnamon
what about paprika?!?!
I agreed with all 10 herbs and spices! But I also agree with Emily – PAPRIKA?!?!?!?!?!?!
cheers!
Gabi @ Mamaliga.com
Agreed and your pictures are beautiful. This was a useful post, I may have to reiterate on my blog. It’s great to have a checklist for your spice cabinet!
Thanks!
This is a very good list I must say- but in no particular order:
Garlic
Ginger
Paprika
Cumin
Basil
Oregano
Salt
[Black] Pepper
Cilantro
chili powder
This is fun, but picking only 10 is going to be hard!
1. garlic
2. black pepper
3. aleppo pepper
4. cayenne pepper
5. sea salt
6. basil
7. oregano
8. rosemary
9. cilantro
10. cinnamon
My top 10 (great idea!)
1. Parsley
2. Oregano
3. Garlic
4. Thyme
5. Corriander
6. Paprika
7. Rosemary
8. Cumin seed
9. Cinnamon/nutmeg (when i use one i use the other)
10. is lemon pepper a spice or a spice mix lol
Hard to limit it to ten! In no particular order:
1. Cumin
2. Salt
3. Pepper (probably black)
4. Garlic – though it’s not really a spice is it?
5. Ginger
6. Coriander leaf, stem and roots (cilantro)
7. Mint – fresh and dried please don’t make me choose
8. Parsley
9. Turmeric
10. Rosemary
I would have put chilli in the past, but as a mum now, I have to severely limit it’s use – and find I *can* live without it.
Garlic because I use it in everything…almost!
Cilantro is a top favorite for fabulous flavor and the smell!!
Thyme
Pepper, I like a mix of fresh ground peppers
Chipotle/Chili pepper, I use everything from canned, dried, fresh and powdered/ground.
Cinnamon
Allspice
Oregano
Rosemary
Ginger
Sea Salt & Kosher salt
I know there is more but this is the top of my list!!
Garlic.
Basil.
Rosemary.
Parsley.
Sage.
Bay leaf.
Oregano.
Onion.
Chili peppers.
Thyme.
Hi I’ve done a list of my top ten herbs & spices too. It’s on my blog.
Is garlic a herb or spice?
@Tamryn – I consider Garlic to be a Herb, however I think it can be argued as neither and part of the onion family – so a vegetable.
Garlic
Basil
Mint
Parsley
Bay Leaf
Oregano
Pepper
Salt
Ginger
Curry (does this count?)
FABULOUS!
Funny, I JUST finished transplanting my herbs to indoors yesterday! 
( I’m very proud of my recycled indoor herb garden, made from old baby formula cans…. click me & check it out!) As for my fav’s……
CILANTRO/CORRIANDER
THYME
GARLIC
GARLIC
GARLIC
PARSLEY
GINGER
CURRY
CUMIN
MARJORAM
ALTHOGH GARLIC IS USED AS A SPICE, TECHNICALLY IT IS PART OF THE ONION FAM. WHATEVER IT’S CALLED, I PUT IT IN EVERYTHING.
What a awesome list. I am always on the look for top lists, and your list is great starting point. Lists are very great.
Good article cheers, saw you through bing.
Lemon Ginger Pork Roast
3 pound pork roast.
Put it in a large roasting pan with plenty of room for vegies & fruit to roast along with it.
Marinade:
* Olive Oil
* Juice of 1 or 2 lemons
* Minced ginger to taste
* Sea Salt
* Thinly sliced carrots
* Thinly sliced mushrooms
* Sea Salt
* Mix these four together, pour over the roast and refrigerate overnight.
Vegies and Fruit:
* Green Cabbage/span>
* Tart Apples, such as Granny Smith or Pippin
* Red Onions.
* Cut into quarters or eighths and roast in the pan with the pork.
Leftover Lemon-Ginger Pork Roast
Chill and thinly slice the leftover roast. Use in sandwiches with fresh apple slices and mint.
for more details http://holy-food.org
I love everything on your list….adding
Madras curry (indian, Thai, Japanese)
Smoked paprika
Coriander seeds/mustard seeds/ fennel seeds
Saffron
Celtic or Himalayan salt
Fresh mint
Thai basil
GARLIC! Fresh and roasted
I cook just about everything in expeller pressed,extra virgin coconut oil. If I don’t want the coconut flavor I use refined. I know I’m leaving out something!
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