Most of us truly enjoy adding lots of spices and herbs to our cooking. It may or may not surprise you that spices not only add flavor to our meals but also offer incredible health benefits.
Did you know that herbs and spices are not the same thing? I never knew this till quite recently. I thought the answer was far more exotic, but in actuality it is quite simple.
Herbs are simply the leaves of the plant while spices come from the roots, bark and seeds. Some plants can be used as both, like cilantro. Cilantro is what we call the leaf of the cilantro plant, while coriander is the name of the seeds.
Next time you add a spice or an herb to your cooking routine, you can think of the wonderful health benefits you are enjoying.
You may grow your own spices and herbs or use the dry version, the most popular for ease and shelf life. Having an herb garden is a fun hobby and provides you with fresh herbs, always superior in taste and texture.
Here are 10 of my favorite herbs and spices, but the actual list is much longer.
Basil
Many people use basil in their daily food preparation. This herb is often associated with tomatoes as the two love each other. Basil livens up many Italian dishes as well as casseroles, soups and salads. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Coriander / Cilantro
There is definitely a difference in texture and taste between coriander and cilantro. Coriander comes from the seeds and cilantro from the leaves of the same plant.
Cilantro is commonly used to flavor many Mexican salsas, soups and other dishes, while the coriander seeds are a different and tasty addition to soups, salads and curries.
Adding chopped cilantro to a healthy dip of sour cream and a little mayonnaise will greatly increase the flavor. Cilantro is rich in Vitamin K and potassium and is reported to help strengthen the bones.
Cumin
Another popular spice for Mexican dishes, soups and stews is Cumin. Try adding a teaspoon or more of cumin to deliver a pungent and delicious taste to chili and curry dishes. Cumin is an excellent source of B vitamins and is an…