Do you know the difference between a Herb and a Spice?

SatNavSaysStraightOn

SatNavSaysStraightOn

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
11 Oct 2012
Local time
10:53 AM
Messages
18,447
Location
SE Australia
Website
www.satnavsaysstraighton.com
Do you know the difference between a Herb and a Spice?
I ask because I see so many people mixing the two up and genuinely not knowing the difference.

It is quite easy to know the difference.

A Herb is basically the green leaf and sometimes green stalk of a herbaceous (non-woody) plant.

A Spice is basically the fruit (ripe or unripe), seed (ripe or unripe), flower buds, bark, root, tuber, stem, resin or any other part of the plant!

It is possible for a plant to provide both a herb and a spice at the same time, as in the case of coriander (cilantro) which gives the herb coriander (cilantro) and the spice ground coriander or coriander seeds.
 
Last edited:
morning glory said:
Well, you know, I thought I was quite clear about the difference (I concur with your definition), until I read this, from the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary:

Definition of herb in English:
noun
Any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or perfume

Seeds!!! :eek:
Click to expand...
What does the Oxford Learners Dictionary say?

Didn't know the difference either.
 
The OED has it has correct, when you pick the correct definition...
Oxford English Dictionary Definition.

2. spec. Applied to plants of which the leaves, or stem and leaves, are used for food or medicine, or in some way for their scent or flavour.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I think the confusion arises from the fact that culinary usage distinguishes between herbs and spices, whereas medicinal and spiritual use doesn't. Herbalism, for example is the practice of using plants (any part of the plant) for medicinal purposes. So both definitions of the word herb are correct! Discovering this has made me realise why some people don't know the difference between herbs and spices in cookery terms.

"Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, and in some cases spiritual usage. General usage of the term "herb" differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark (and cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portions of the plant."
 
I do believe I have always used the term herb for both spices and herbs, now that I have been well educated on the difference on the two I will make sure I use the terms as they apply to the subject at hand. Thanks for making it very clear what is an herb and what is a spice.:woot:
 
Language is a funny thing this way. Morning Glory here basically took the definition and usage from my mouth. I wouldn't say I'd put herbs in my soup but I'll definitely add some spice.
 
I knew what an herb was, but I could not identify what a spice was. My initial guess when reading the title was that a spice was ground from a seed or something, had no idea they were fruit and flower based.
 
MyExWasAChef said:
Language is a funny thing this way. Morning Glory here basically took the definition and usage from my mouth. I wouldn't say I'd put herbs in my soup but I'll definitely add some spice.
Click to expand...
Why wouldn't you put herbs in soup? :scratchhead: Do you mean you use the word spice to cover green stuff like basil, parsley etc. as well as seeds stuff like black pepper, cumin seeds, cloves etc.?
 
Well hmm that is interesting. I never knew the difference or thought about there being a difference actually. I will file that in my "new things I learned today" category. It makes sense. Maybe it will come up in dinner convo..:)
 
I'm beginning to think this may be an American/British difference? Is it possible that in America all spices and herbs are known as 'herbs'? So, for example, cumin seeds and coriander seeds would be called herbs? Fascinating!
 
morning glory said:
I'm beginning to think this may be an American/British difference? Is it possible that in America all spices and herbs are known as 'herbs'? So, for example, cumin seeds and coriander seeds would be called herbs? Fascinating!
Click to expand...
It is possible. Until I started on this site and started reading what people were writing, I have never appreciated that people didn't understand the difference or know that there was a difference. To me a herb was always green and leafy, everything else was a spice!
 
SatNavSaysStraightOn said:
It is possible. Until I started on this site and started reading what people were writing, I have never appreciated that people didn't understand the difference or know that there was a difference. To me a herb was always green and leafy, everything else was a spice!
Click to expand...

Its confusing. This is a specialist spice (and herb) company in the U.S.:
https://www.americanspice.com/spices-and-herbs/

Differences between Spices and Herbs
For the most part, chefs use the terms "spices and herbs" interchangeably, but there are differences. Spices that originate in tropical or sub-tropical climates and are fragrant or aromatic parts of plants include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or pepper. Herbs are derived from green leaves and often grow in temperate climates. Common herbs are mint, rosemary, and thyme.

The American Spice Company sells herbs made from both fresh and dried leaves, while many of our spices curate from seeds, bark, fruit, flowers, and roots. Use herbs in cooking, aromatherapy, medicines, and cosmetics. Step into our Great American Spice store and the first comment you’ll make is, "Wow. I’m in spice heaven!"
Click to expand...

The website goes on to differentiate between herbs and spices, correctly. But I'm fascinated by the statement which I've hi-lighted in red. This implies that Chefs in America confuse, or merge the two terms! I'm struggling to understand this as I've watched American cookery shows and have never noticed this to be the case. In this country I've noticed occasionally that people who know very little about cooking sometimes confuse the two. But certainly not anyone who is a serious cook or professional chef. Supermarkets here differentiate between the two as well.
 
Further research reveals this: http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1335
Trader Jo's is a popular U.S. supermarket which is known for good value. This article about 'spices' includes what we would call herbs!
spice-prices-revealed.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom