Glossary S
Deutsch: Gewürz / Español: Especia / Português: Especiaria / Français: Spice / Italiano: Spezia
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetable substance primarily used for flavoring, coloring or preserving food. Sometimes a spice is used to hide other flavors.[1]
Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are parts of leafy green plants also used for flavoring or as garnish.
Deutsch: Gewürzpflanze / Español: Planta aromática / Português: Planta condimentar / Français: Plante aromatique / Italiano: Pianta speziata
Spice plant refers to any plant that is grown or harvested primarily for the spices or seasonings that can be derived from its various parts, including leaves, seeds, berries, bark, or roots. These plants are valued for their ability to add flavor, aroma, and sometimes even preservation qualities to food.
Deutsch: Gewürzmischung (trockene) / Español: Mezcla de especias (para frotar) / Português: Tempero em pó (para esfregar) / Français: Mélange d'épices à frotter / Italiano: Miscela di spezie (per sfregamento)
A spice rub is a dry blend of ground spices, herbs, and sometimes salt or sugar, designed to enhance the flavor of meats, fish, vegetables, or other foods through direct application to the surface before cooking. Unlike marinades, which rely on liquid ingredients to penetrate ingredients over time, a spice rub forms a flavorful crust that caramelizes during cooking, contributing both taste and texture. Its versatility and ease of use make it a staple in global culinary traditions, from barbecue to gourmet cuisine.
Deutsch: Schärfe / Español: picor / Português: ardência / Français: piquant / Italiano: piccantezza
The perception of spiciness is a sensory experience that transcends cultures and cuisines, playing a pivotal role in gastronomy, physiology, and even psychology. It arises from the interaction between chemical compounds—primarily capsaicinoids—and specialized receptors in the human body, creating a sensation often described as heat or burning. This phenomenon, though universally recognized, varies widely in interpretation and tolerance across individuals and societies.