Herbs and spices are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing and have key differences. Herbs is the word used to refer to the leafy portion of plants, while spices refer to the other parts of a plant, such as the root, seeds, or bark.
4 Differences Between Herbs and Spices
1. Definition
How herbs and spices are defined is one difference between the two. The word herbs is used to refer to an ingredient that is made from the leaves of a plant. Basil, dill, and bay leaves, for example, are all herbs.
The word spices is used to refer to ingredients made from a seed, bark, or root of a plant. Coriander, cinnamon, and pepper powder are all spices.
2. Uses
There are different uses for herbs and spices. Plants classified as herbs can be used for both cooking and medicinal purposes. Plant parts, classified as spices, can only be used for cooking and aren’t usually medicinal, though there are a few exceptions in modern medicine.
3. How They Are Kept
The way herbs and spices are stored is another difference. Herbs come in both dry and fresh packages at the store and often need to be stored in the fridge when fresh.
There are no fresh versions of spices. They all come dry and can be stored in the cabinet or pantry.
4. What They Add to Recipes
Herbs and spices are also different in their effect in recipes. Generally, herbs add either a sweet or savory flavor to a recipe, but they rarely make something spicy or keep a recipe fresh. Spices, on the other hand, can not only add flavor to a recipe, but they can also add heat and color and act as a preservative.
Can One Plant Be an Herb and a Spice?
Yes, a plant can be classified as an herb and spice. The unique classification method of herbs and spices allows one plant to be both. The most notable example of this is cilantro, which in leaf form is an herb, but its seeds, called coriander, are classified as a spice.
Leave a Reply