Herbs and Spices in Italian 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 Italy or any European country!!! So do you need a better reason to learn about the list of herbs and spices in Italian or Italiano?
Not only that, one of the “most” common topics in Italian 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 Italian or Italiano and a few example sentences for the same.
An italian supermarket
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 Italian vocabulary for the list of Herbs in Italian and the list of Spices in Italian so that you can buy and use them properly.
These are the common herbs and spices that are found in any Italian household. You can now learn the vocabulary for the list of herbs and Spices in Italian with tons of examples and English translation.
How to say Herbs and Spices in Italian?
So how do you say Herbs in Italian? Lets learn it in Singular and in Plural!!
- The Italian word or translation for “Herb” is “L’erba”
- The Italian word or translation for “Herbs” is “le erbe”
- The Italian word or translation for “Spice” is “la spezia”
- The Italian word or translation for “Spices” is “le spezie”
| Italian | English | English Sentence | Italian Sentence |
| la liquirizia | Liquorice | Liquorice is very expensive | La liquirizia è molto costosa |
| il curry | Curry | Curry is spicy. | Il curry è piccante. |
| il peperoncino | Chili | Chili can be sweet or spicy. | Il peperoncino può essere dolce o piccante. |
| il cardamomo | Cardamom | Cardamom is an indian spice. | Il cardamomo è una spezia indiana. |
| il cumino | Cumin | Cumin is very tasty | Il cumino è molto gustoso |
| Il pepe | Pepper | I like pepper | mi piace il pepe |
| Lo Zafferano | Saffron | Saffron is the most expensive spice. | Lo zafferano è la spezia più costosa. |
| la senape | Mustard | Can you buy three bottles of Mustard? | Puoi comprare tre bottiglie di senape? |
| il sesamo | Sesame | We are having Sesame Bread and Hummus spread for lunch. | A pranzo mangiamo pane al sesamo e hummus. |
| il chiodo di garofano | Clove | I purchased cloves for EUR 3 | Ho acquistato chiodi di garofano per 3 euro |
| la noce moscata | Nutmeg | We have a Nutmeg plant at home | Abbiamo una pianta di noce moscata in casa |
| la vaniglia | Vanilla | I love Vanilla cake. | Adoro la torta alla vaniglia. |
List of fine Herbs and Spices in Italian
These are the more refined or “Fine” Spices that are found in any Italian household. You can now learn the Italian vocabulary for the list of Herbs and Spices in Italian with examples in English and in Italian.
| English | Italian | English Sentence | Italian Sentence |
| Il Basilico | Basil | The goat ate the Basil plant. | La capra ha mangiato la pianta di basilico. |
| Il Cerfoglio | Chervil | The Chervil plant has large leaf | La pianta del Cerfoglio ha una foglia grande |
| il coriandolo | Coriander | I sell Coriander in the market. | Vendo coriandolo al mercato. |
| l’alloro | Laurel | Laurel is a herb. | L’alloro è un’erba. |
| il dragoncello | Tarragon | Rich people eat Tarragon everyday. | I ricchi mangiano dragoncello tutti i giorni. |
| il finocchio | Fennel | Boil water with some Fennel | Far bollire l’acqua con un po’ di Finocchio |
| L’origano | Oregano | I like pizza with Oregano | Mi piace la pizza con l’origano |
| il rosmarino | Rosemary | Rosemary has a lovely smell. | Il rosmarino ha un profumo delizioso. |
| il timo | Thyme | You can make biscuits with Thyme and Parsley | Potete fare i biscotti con timo e prezzemolo |
| Il Mentha | Mentha | Mint Cigarettes are very expensive. | Le sigarette alla menta sono molto costose. |
| Il Prezzemolo | Parsley | Can you bake cookies with Parsley? | Sai cuocere i biscotti con il prezzemolo? |
| La melissa | Lemon balm | I have a headache and so I drank tea with Lemon balm. | Ho mal di testa e così ho bevuto il tè con la melissa. |
Il cardamomo – Cardamom in Italian
Cardamom or “Il cardamomo” in Italian 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 Italy, 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.
il chiodo di garofano – Clove in italian
Clove or “il chiodo di garofano” in Italian 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 cannella – Cinnamon in italian
Cinnamon which is also known as “la cannella“ in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Cinnamon is “la cannella”.
What do Italians 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.
il pepe nero – Black Pepper in italian
Black Pepper which is called as “il pepe nero” in Italian is without a doubt, the most commonly used spice all over the world. Black pepper has originated from India.
The Italian word for the spice Black Pepper is “il pepe nero”. What do Italians 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.
il basilico – Basil in italian
Basil or “il basilico” in Italian is one of the famous spices in Italy. Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
The Italian word for the spice Basil is “il basilico”. What do Italians 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.
il Cerfoglio – Chervil in italian
Chervil or “il Cerfoglio” in Italian is one of the common spices in Italy. Chervil is called Italian parsley is a delicate herb related to parsley. It is commonly used to season mild-flavoured dishes and is a constituent of the Italian herb mixtures.
The Italian word for the spice Chervil is “il Cerfoglio”. What do Italians 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.
il coriandolo – Coriander in italian
The beautiful herb “il coriandolo” in Italian or Coriander in English is one of the more popular spices in Italy 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 Italian word for the spice Coriander is “il coriandolo”. What do Italians 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.
l’alloro – Laurel in italian
“l’alloro” in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Laurel is “l’alloro”. What do Italians 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.
il finocchio – Fennel in italian
Fennel in English or “il finocchio” in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Fennel is “il finocchio”. What do Italians 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’origano – Oregano in italian
You will be very familiar with the spice “Oregano” in English or “l’origano” in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Oregano is “l’origano”. What do Italians 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 menta – Mint in italian
Mint or “la menta” in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Mint is “la menta”. What do Italians 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.
il prezzemolo – Parsley in italian
Parsley or “il prezzemolo” in Italian 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 Italian word for the spice Parsley is “il prezzemolo”. What do Italians 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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