Herbs and Spices in French with English translation
Can you imagine a world where cooking is without any Herbs or spices? Food without any proper or suitable herbs and spices is so bland that it has no taste whatsoever!!! Herbs and spices define a culture, it takes an ordinary dish and make it extraordinary!! The same is the case in France or any European country!!! So do you need a better reason to learn about the list of herbs and spices in French?
Not only that, one of the “most” common topics in French is learning the vocabulary for how to describe what you ate and what needs to be cooked. In real life, you would need to order in a restaurant based on whether or not a certain spice is present in the dish. There might be warnings saying that the food contains certain herbs and spices. So, many questions can be asked around this topic. Let us go through the list of herbs and spices in French and a few example sentences for the same.
What are the French names and French vocabulary for herbs and Spices in French and English?
When you go to a supermarket, you’ll have an entire rack dedicated to herbs and spices. You can see about 40 – 50 different herbs and spices stacked up there, ready for usage. You need to know the French vocabulary for the list of Herbs in French and the list of Spices in French so that you can buy and use them properly.
These are the common herbs and spices that are found in any French household. You can now learn the vocabulary for the list of herbs and Spices in French with tons of examples and English translation.
How to say Herbs and Spices in French?
So how do you say Herbs and Spices in French? Lets learn it in Singular and in Plural!!
- The French word or translation for “Herb” is “L’herbe”
- The French word or translation for “Herbs” is “Les herbes”
- The French word or translation for “Spice” is “L’épice”
- The French word or translation for “Spices” is “Les épices”
| French | English | English Sentence | French Sentence |
| La Réglisse | Liquorice | Liquorice is very expensive | La réglisse est très chère |
| Le Curry | Curry | Curry is spicy. | Le curry est épicé. |
| Le piment | Chili | Chili can be sweet or spicy. | Le chili peut être sucré ou épicé. |
| La Cardamome | Cardamom | Cardamom is an indian spice. | La cardamome est une épice indienne. |
| Le Cumin | Cumin | Cumin is very tasty | Le cumin est très savoureux |
| Le poivre | Pepper | Please buy Pepper. I am making soup today. | S’il vous plaît acheter du poivre. Je fais de la soupe aujourd’hui. |
| Le Safran | Saffron | Saffron is the most expensive spice. | Le safran est l’épice la plus chère. |
| La moutarde | Mustard | Can you buy three bottles of Mustard? | Pouvez-vous acheter trois bouteilles de moutarde ? |
| Le Sésame | Sesame | We are having Sesame Bread and Hummus spread for lunch. | Nous avons du pain au sésame et du houmous à tartiner pour le déjeuner. |
| Le clou de girofle | Clove | I purchased Clove for EUR 3 | J’ai acheté du clou de girofle pour 3 EUR |
| La muscade | Nutmeg | We have a Nutmeg plant at home | Nous avons une usine de muscade à la maison |
| La Vanille | Vanilla | I love Vanilla cake. | J’adore le gâteau à la vanille. |
List of Finer Herbs and Spices in French
These are the more refined or “Fine” Spices that are found in any French household. You can now learn the French vocabulary for the list of Herbs and Spices in French with examples in English and in French.
| English | French | English Sentence | French Sentence |
| Le basilic | Basil | The goat ate the Basil plant. | La chèvre a mangé le basilic. |
| le cerfeuil | Chervil | The Chervil plant has large leaf | L’usine de cerfeuil a de grandes feuilles |
| La Coriandre | Coriander | I sell Coriander in the market. | Je vends de la coriandre au marché. |
| le laurier | Laurel | Laurel is a herb. | Le laurier est une herbe. |
| L’Estragon | Tarragon | Rich people eat Tarragon everyday. | Les riches mangent de l’estragon tous les jours. |
| Le fenouil | Fennel | Boil water with some Fennel | Faire bouillir de l’eau avec du fenouil |
| L’origan | Oregano | I like pizza with Oregano | J’aime la pizza à l’origan |
| le romarin | Rosemary | Rosemary has a lovely smell. | Le romarin a une odeur agréable. |
| Le sage | Sage | Sage is a small plant. | La sauge est une petite plante. |
| Le Thym | Thyme | You can make biscuits with Thyme and Parsley | Vous pouvez faire des biscuits avec du thym et du persil |
| La Menthe | Mentha | Mint Cigarettes are very expensive. | Les cigarettes à la menthe sont très chères. |
| Le Persil | Parsley | Can you bake cookies with Parsley? | Pouvez-vous faire des biscuits avec du persil? |
| La mélisse | Lemon balm | I have a headache and so I drank tea with Lemon balm. | J’ai mal à la tête et j’ai donc bu du thé à la mélisse. |
La cardamome – Cardamom in French
Cardamom or “La cardamome” in French is one of the most popular spices in the word. In fact it is called as the “Queen of Spices” in India. Cardamom has a strong flavour and is used for making tea or as an additive for cooking.
In France, Cardamom is used for baking biscuits, cakes and also in some variations of pies and sweets. You can get cardamom in powdered form or also whole, green or black.
Le clou – Clove in French
Clove or “Le clou” in French is a very popular spice in Europe as it is considered very aromatic and tasty. Along with cardamom, you can find cloves being used for making biscuits and cakes.
Clove is also very popular since it’s an ingredient used in making toothpaste since it is very beneficial for the enamel in the teeth!
La cannelle – Cinnamon in French
Cinnamon which is also known as “La cannelle“ in French is a tree bark is commonly grown and produced in Indonesia, China, and India. It is used as a sweet flavourful ingredient. Cinnamon is well known for its sweet and aromatic taste. The French word for the spice Cinnamon is “La cannelle”.
What do French people make with Cinnamon? It is widely used for making tea and spice blends. Cinnamon buns are a speciality in many countries in Europe as they have a sweet an aromatic taste.
Le Poivre Noir – Black Pepper in French
Black Pepper which is called as “Le Poivre Noir” in French is without a doubt, the most commonly used spice all over the world. Black pepper has originated from India.
The French word for the spice Black Pepper is “Le Poivre Noir”. What do French people make with Black Pepper? Black Pepper is added to almost every gravy or savoury dish you could think of. Other than its food applications, it is also heavily used for its medicinal value. Pepper is prescribed to mothers, babies and children for boosting immunity.
Le basilic – Basil in French
Basil or “Le Basilic” in French is one of the famous spices in France. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
The French word for the spice Basil is “Le basilic”. What do French people make with Basil? Basil is one of the key ingredients for making Pesto Sauce and is fantastic with Pasta. Its brilliant on salads and one can also made a smoothie with Basil. Basil is used for making soups as well.
Le cerfeuil – Chervil in French
Chervil or “Le cerfeuil” in French is one of the common spices in France. Chervil is called French parsley is a delicate herb related to parsley. It is commonly used to season mild-flavoured dishes and is a constituent of the French herb mixtures.
The French word for the spice Chervil is “Le cerfeuil”. What do French people make with Chervil? Chervil is used for making Chervil Vinaigrette and some sauces. It is also used as a top up on pizzas and pastas. Like Basil, it is used for making pastas and soups as well. Lemon chicken with Chervil sauce is a dish you’d find in high end restaurants.
La Coriandre – Coriander in French
The beautiful herb “La Coriandre” in French or Coriander in English is one of the more popular spices in France and you can find it in every supermarket. It is commonly used to season South East Asian cuisine such as Indian and Chinese cuisine. It is used generously and adds a strong flavour to dishes.
The French word for the spice Coriander is “La Coriandre”. What do French people make with the spice Coriander? Coriander is used for making Dips, Thai Curry, Indian food recipes and sauces. It is used as a top up on rice and Chinese noodles. You can find it commonly in Thai, Indian and Chinese restaurants.
le laurier – Laurel in French
“le laurier” in French or Laurel in English is a world known herb right from the dawn of history!! The bay laurel originates in Asia and it grows into huge trees. Its leaves are evergreen, which were consecrated to the god Apollo, were highly valued in ancient times. A wreath of laurel leaves was given as a high honour to poets, singers and generals who could then “rest on their laurels”.
The French word for the spice Laurel is “le laurier”. What do French people make with the spice Laurel? Laurel is also used in culinary for making vinegar, liquor, spicing up Indian cuisine and also for making flavoured steamed rice.
le fenouil – Fennel in French
Fennel in English or “le fenouil” in French is one of the very strongly flavoured herbs and is used in cooking all over Asia and Europe. It is a highly aromatic herb used in cooking and is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe.
It is used as a strong flavourful garnish. Mint is well known for its dominating taste. The French word for the spice Fennel is “le fenouil”. What do French people make with Fennel? Fennel is used for as a pizza topping, topping up pasta, soups, salad dressings, potato dressings, relish and also for stuffing, braising and making spreads.
l’origan – Oregano in French
You will be very familiar with the spice “Oregano” in English or “l’origan” in French as it is the main topping for a pizza and also for pasta sauce. Oregano is one of the most widely-used herbs across the world. It is found in Mexican cuisine commonly and is one of the components of chili powder. The dried form is very common, but fresh oregano is also employed in some dishes.
The French word for the spice Oregano is “l’origan”. What do French people make with Oregano? Fennel is used for as the best pizza topping, topping up pastas and soups, salad dressings, potato dressings, relish and also for stuffing, braising and making spreads.
la menthe – Mint in French
Mint or “la menthe” in French is one of the most versatile herbs used in cooking all over the world. It is found in every country and is very tasty.
It is used as a strong flavourful garnish. Mint is well known for its dominating taste. The French word for the spice Mint is “la menthe”. What do French people make with Mint? Mint is used for making mint tea, topping up pasta, Lemon chicken, as a salad dressing, potato dressing and also for making Blugur and couscous.
le persil – Parsley
Parsley or “le persil” in French is one of the most versatile herbs used in Middle Eastern cooking and is common all over Europe. It is found in every super market across the country.
It is used as a garnish, but more popularly used to spice up food. There are two varieties of parsley: curly leaf and flat leaf. Curly leaf is probably the most recognizable, as restaurants often use it as a garnish on their plating.
The French word for the spice Parsley is “le persil”. What do French people make with the spice Parsley? Parsley is used for making pasta, pesto sauce, as a salad dressing, potato dressing and also for making sauces.
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