Spice vs Herb Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on spice vs herb. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
Hover over a card, or tap it on mobile, to see the meaning.
The leafy green part of a plant.
“Fresh basil goes on top of the pizza.”
Seeds, bark, roots, fruit or buds.
“She stirred cinnamon into the oatmeal.”
The fresh leaves of the coriander plant (herb).
“Garnish the tacos with chopped cilantro.”
The dried seeds of the same plant (spice).
“Toast the coriander seeds before grinding them.”
Spice vs herb is one of the most common kitchen mix-ups, because both add flavor and often sit side by side in the same cupboard. The simple rule is that herbs come from the leaves of a plant, while spices come from almost any other part. The sections below break it down with plenty of examples.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb | The leafy green part of a plant used to flavor or garnish food | Noun, food category | Fresh basil is my favorite herb. |
| Spice | A seed, bark, root, fruit or bud used to flavor food | Noun, food category | Cinnamon is a spice made from tree bark. |
| Both | One plant whose leaves are used as herb and whose seeds are used as spice | Dual-use plants (coriander, dill, fennel) | Cilantro leaves and coriander seeds come from the same plant. |
What does herb mean?
Herb means the leafy green part of a plant that is used to flavor or garnish food. Common examples include basil, parsley, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano and cilantro.
Herbs can be used fresh or dried. Fresh herbs are usually added near the end of cooking so their flavor stays bright, while dried herbs are more concentrated and can go in earlier. Many herb plants grow well in mild climates, which is why a pot of basil or mint does so well on a sunny windowsill.
What does spice mean?
Spice means a flavoring made from the seeds, bark, roots, fruit, buds or other non-leafy parts of a plant. The range is wider than most people expect.
Cinnamon is bark. Ginger and turmeric are roots. Cumin and mustard are seeds. Black pepper is a dried fruit, cloves are dried flower buds, and saffron is the delicate stigma of the crocus flower. Spices are usually dried and often ground, and many come from tropical regions, which is part of why they were traded across the world for centuries.
What is the difference between spice vs herb?
The main difference between spice vs herb is the part of the plant each one comes from. Herbs are leaves; spices are everything else.
A few secondary differences follow from that:
- Form: herbs are used fresh or dried, while spices are almost always dried (fresh ginger and turmeric root are the exceptions).
- Flavor: herbs tend to taste fresh, grassy or floral, while spices tend to taste warm, pungent or sweet.
- Origin: many spices come from tropical plants, while many popular herbs grow in milder climates.
- Use: herbs star in dishes like pesto and chimichurri, while spices drive curry powder and gingerbread.
Can one plant be both herb and spice?
Yes, because some plants give you leaves and seeds that are used in different ways. The best-known example is coriander.
In American English, the fresh leaves are called cilantro and count as herb, while the dried seeds are called coriander and count as spice. In British English and much of the world, coriander is the name for both. Dill and fennel work the same way: the fresh fronds are herb, and the seeds are spice.
Is it “an herb” or “a herb”?
Both are correct, depending on your accent. Americans usually say the word with a silent h, so it becomes “an herb.” In British English the h is pronounced, so it becomes “a herb.” The spelling is the same either way, so use whichever matches how you say it.
How can you remember which one to use?
Ask which part of the plant you are tasting. If it is a leaf, call it herb. If it is a seed, bark, root, fruit or bud, call it spice.
What are the most common herb and spice mistakes?
- ✗ Cinnamon is my favorite herb.
✓ Cinnamon is my favorite spice, because it comes from bark. - ✗ Basil is a spice because it adds flavor.
✓ Basil is herb because we eat its leaves. - ✗ Cilantro and coriander are two different plants.
✓ Cilantro (leaves) and coriander (seeds) come from the same plant. - ✗ Ginger root is classed with herbs.
✓ Ginger root is classed with spices. - ✗ Herbs are always fresh and spices are always dried.
✓ Herbs can be fresh or dried, while spices are usually dried.
Easy memory tricks
- Leaf test: if you could pluck it from a plant pot on the windowsill, it is herb.
- S for Spice: think of Seeds, Sticks (cinnamon sticks) and Saffron. Anything that is not a leaf is spice.
- Cilantro vs coriander: leaves are cilantro (herb), seeds are coriander (spice). If you remember this pair, you remember the whole rule.
Spice vs herb FAQ
Is garlic an herb or a spice?
Garlic is a bulb, so it is usually classed as a vegetable or aromatic rather than herb or spice. Dried garlic powder is often sold alongside spices.
Is salt a spice?
No. Salt is a mineral, not a plant product, so it is neither herb nor spice.
Is cilantro classed as herb or spice?
Cilantro leaves are herb. The dried seeds of the same plant, called coriander seeds, are spice.
Is black pepper a spice?
Yes. Black pepper is the dried fruit of the Piper nigrum vine, so it counts as spice.
Are dried herbs stronger than fresh herbs?
Yes, dried herbs are more concentrated, so you generally need less of them than fresh. Check your recipe for exact amounts.
Conclusion
Now you know the spice vs herb difference: herbs are leaves, and spices are everything else a plant can offer. Keep the cilantro and coriander example in mind and the rest falls into place. Share this with someone who mixes them up in the kitchen.